In its ongoing efforts to curb gun crime and gang violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Project Safe Neighborhoods(PSN) is promoting “Speak Your Peace 2,” which challenges students from across the territory to create, voice and submit a message denouncing violence with the spoken word. “We’re inviting students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 to enter a poetry contest containing a message against gang violence, or gun violence in three minutes or less” said Lou Lambert, chairman of PSN, USVI.
In 2006, the organization initiated a highly successful Speak Your Peace song writing competition that produced 17 winning songs written and performed by youth 11-22 years in age. The powerful songs were professionally recorded, and 25,000 music CDs were produced and offered free to every student in the territory. “With having such success in the Speak Your Peace music contest, it was natural to give the territory’s young poetry artists a chance at being part of the solution” said DaraMonifah Cooper, PSN board member, and organizing committee and promotion chair.
Each entry should be no longer than three minutes when read out loud and contain no obscenities. It should be recorded on their own or at a designated recording studio. The poem must then be submitted through their assisting school (or institution) contact, or e-mailed through the “submit” button at the WWW.SPEAKYOURPEACEVI.COM Web site. The official deadline is March 5.
Schools and organizations can contact Valdemar C. Petersen Jr., audio-visual production specialist, to set up an appointment for recording at 775-2250, ext. 8538 or e-mail: [email protected]
Requested recording date and time need to be between 2 – 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday (actual arrival time cannot be later than 3 p.m.) E-mail Mr. Petersen ([email protected]) the morning that you are to arrive, and call 775-2250, ext. 8538 to attempt to speak with him to verify approval before heading out there because he isn’t always there or available. You can also leave a message with the receptionist if you don’t reach him.
Categories are based upon grades: pre-K-3, 4-6, 7-8 and 9-12. The first 100 entries will receive Speak your Peace T-shirts. Judges will choose one winning entry from each category. Eight winners, who will be chosen from a pool of finalists, will be named in the following categories: four from elementary school-aged youth (grades pre-K-3 and 4-6); two from middle school (grades 7-8); and two from high school (grades 9-12). Winning entries will receive PSN backpacks, a gift certificate to a regional bookstore, a personally autographed copy of a published poetry book from an internationally acclaimed writer, and a photo plaque of the student and institution administrator to be displayed in a prominent location at the school or institution. Each winner will also receive an International Amazon Kindle.
More information is available at www.speakyourpeacevi.com