Naperville’s Diversified Parents Association is sponsoring a high school essay contest with a $500 first prize.
In a statement, the association said that schools are becoming increasingly diverse ethnically and culturally.
“Though we should all live in peace, no matter what our differences, conflicts can occur when students and school personnel lack understanding of diverse backgrounds,” the statement reads.
Students are asked to write about what changes they would make “to end conflicts (and) foster understanding” if they were a principal or a teacher for a day.
The contest is open to high school students in Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Warrenville and Lisle. Essays can be of any length.
Diversified Parents said the essays should use specific incidents or personal experiences to support ideas for change. Each essay will be judged according to how well the writer demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills about diversity.
Changes could affect teacher or student attitudes, school policies, social situations or class or extracurricular activities.
The $500 first prize will be among $2,000 awarded for top essays.
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Essays must be postmarked by April 15 and mailed to Diversified Parents Association, c/o Andrew Wang, 316 Millcreek Lane, Naperville, Ill. 60540. Winners will be announced in May.
Jones Intercable, Amoco Corp. and Lucent Technologies have joined the Diversified Parents Association in sponsoring the contest.