2014 – 2015 International Achievement Week Project
Theme: "Leveraging Our Collective Resources for Impact."
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
International High School Essay Contest
Awards: Four College Scholarships
1st Place $3000.00; 2nd Place: $2000.00; 3rd Place: $1,000.00; 4thPlace $500.00
Eligibility: The contest is open to all college-bound, high school seniors Contest closes
October 24, 2014.
RULES
The essay must be entitled: "Considering the Political Climate in the United States and the World,
How Much Value Do You Place On Your Right to Vote?"
The essay must be original, neither previously published nor secured by copyright. The essay must be
between 700 and 750 words in length.
Three typewritten, double-spaced copies must be submitted.
The manuscript must be postmarked or time stamped on the email not later than midnight,
October 24, 2014 and sent to the local chapter sponsoring the essay contest. Persons submitting
manuscripts thereby grant to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. the right to keep the manuscripts and to
exercise lull publishing rights to them. Awards will be announced on or about June 30, 2015, and the
decision of the judges will be final. The manuscripts must present an adequate treatment of the essay
topic. Winners will be required to furnish written proof that they were enrolled in their respective high
school at the time the essays were submitted. Awards will be submitted to each winner, upon written
verification from an institution of higher education that the individual has enrolled. Actual enrollment
(not just acceptance) is required. Awards must be claimed within 18 months after the announcement
date to be valid.
RATING CRITERIA FOR ESSAYS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
DEVELOPMENT of TOPIC/THESIS: (30 possible pts.) Topic well developed (covers and develops
major points. Supplying enough information for understanding).
PROGRESSSION: (20 possible points.) Composition progresses from beginning to end in a
logical flow of information.
READABILITY: (25 possible pts.) Concise prose that sticks to the point and down not ramble
GRAMMAR: (15 possible pts.). Agreement of subject and verb; proper tense; correct sentence
construction; paragraphing, including transitional phrases linking same.
SPELLING: (5 possible pts.)
PUNCTUATION: (5 possible pts.) (holds reader’s attention).
International High School Essay Contest
Theme: "Leveraging Our Collective Resources for Impact."
Essay Topic: "Considering the Political Climate in the United States and the World, How Much Value
Do You Place On Your Right to Vote?"
The following information must appear on the first page in this manner: A high school official must
complete and sign on the signature line.
Essay title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Author’s name________________________________________________________________________
Home Address: _______________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip code: ___________________________________________________________________
Main phone numbers: (Home) _______________________ (Cell) _______________________________
Main e-mail address: __________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________________________________________________
Name of high school: _________________________________________________________________
School mailing address: _______________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________
School Official: ______________________________________________________________________
Contact Phone Number: _____________________________________Extension: ________________
E-mail Address: _____________________________________________________________________
School Title: ________________________________________________________________________
Official Signature: _______________________________________Date: ______________________
Name of chapter sponsoring: Theta Alpha/Nu Kappa
Chapter Address: P.O. Box 227083
City, State, Zip Code: Dallas, TX 75222
Chapter Committee Chairman: Randall Shaw
Contact Phone Number: 214.908.7459
Contact e-mail: Randall.shaw@sbcglobal.net
Author’s Signature: _____________________________________Date: __________________
The manuscript must be postmarked or time stamped on the email no later than midnight,
October 24, 2014, and sent to the LOCAL CHAPTER SPONSORING THE ESSAY CONTEST.
Breakdown of Scholarship Distribution
IHQ
9TH DISTRICT
THETA ALPHA
NU KAPPA
1ST
$3,000.00
$1,500.00
$250.00
$250.00
2ND
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$200.00
$200.00
3RD
$1,000.00
$500.00
$150.00
$150.00
4TH
$500.00
XXXXX
$100.00
$100.00
International Headquarters = Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Governing Body
9th District = Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is grouped into 13 Districts. The 9th District includes
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas
Theta Alpha Chapter = Dallas Graduate Chapter
Nu Kappa Chapter = Southern Methodist University Undergraduate Chapter