Almost 200 elementary and junior high school students have submitted essays in Sen. Lorraine Berry's Black History Month essay contest on the theme, "Back off, Hands off . . . I'm Special," Berry announced Monday.
Six highly qualified professionals from the community have been chosen to judge the essays in an all-day youth symposium April 7 at Palms Court Harborview Hotel.
This is the second year of the contests, which began in 1995, to have a sexually explicit theme.
Last year 150 high school students submitted essays on "Education First, Family Later." On the advice of several educators, Berry focused this year's contest on the younger students.
Held in partnership with the Adolescent Health Program of the Department of Education, Berry applauded Ruby Simmonds, Education commissioner and all English class teachers of public and private schools for encouraging their sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to tackle the sensitive topic. The students' essays express their thoughts about how to discourage sexual advances.
The essays are between 500 and 750 words. The winners will receive savings bonds of $500, $300 and $200, respectively. The winners will be invited to make their presentations at the symposium.
Judging the essays are: Gene Emanuel, University of the Virgin Islands professor; Patricia Hector, Evelyn Marcelli Elementary School teacher and union representative; Helen Browne, English major educator; Howard Newton, UVI professor; Diana Richardson, UVI Human Resources administrator; and Diana Parker, superintendent of Catholic schools.