Death Penalty Focus: Student Essay Contest

2nd Annual Essay Contest Sponsored by THE INLAND VALLEY CHAPTER of Death Penalty Focus Execute Justice, Not People Why California Must Find an Alternative to the Death Penalty “In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” -Thurgood Marshall The Fine Print… 1. You must be a Middle School, High School, Undergraduate or Graduate student in the state of California. 2. All submissions should be sent via e-mail or mail to Sharyn Webb at swebb1937@yahoo.com  or 774 Chatham Court, Claremont CA 91711. 3. E-mailed submissions must be a word or PDF document. Email Subject: “Student Essay Contest.” 4. No essays will be accepted without an accompanying submission form. 5. Format: Typed, font size 12, double spaced 6. Length: College level - three to five pages Middle and High School level - two to three pages Deadlines: Submission Deadline: March 31, 2011 Winners will be notified by: April 15, 2011 Awards will be presented at a special event on: April 30, 2011 Second and third prizes awarded at judges’ discretion. Winning essays will be published. Guidelines: One of the most crucial decisions our state of California must make is whether or not to eliminate the death penalty in favor of life without parole. Most recently, in March 2009, New Mexico joined the fourteen other states which have made that legal change. “In the fall of 2009…The American Law Institute, which created the intellectual framework for the modern capital justice system almost fifty years ago, pronounced it a failure… The institute is made up of 4,000 judges, lawyers and law professors.” New York Times, January 5, 2010 Many of our Supreme Court justices, law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys who once supported the death penalty have changed their minds. Polls show that two thirds of Californians now prefer life without parole over the death sentence. Your essay should explore why our state must eliminate the death penalty and what the possible alternatives are. It will be judged for clarity of writing, research, creativity, uniqueness of approach, persuasive arguments and adherence to rules and deadlines. Prizes: Middle $300 - 1st $150 - 2nd $75 - 3rd High $300 - 1st $150 - 2nd $75 - 3rd College $300 - 1st $150 - 2nd $75 - 3rd Graduate $300 - 1st $150 - 2nd $75 - 3rd Any questions? Please call Sharyn at 909-392-0020 Student Essay Contest Winners - 2010 - Inland Valley Chapter Middle School 1st - Melissa Spangler 2nd - Ashwin Balaji 3rd - Roshan Plamthottam High School 1st - Nicholas Morton 2nd - Tran Tsan 3rd - Colin Domonoske College 1st - Sara Eller 2nd - Rachel KottKamp Graduate School 1st - Caycie Bradford Honorary Award Cathy Sarinana