The Nepalese Association in Southeast America (NASeA) and the Association of Nepalese in Midwest America (ANMA) are announcing their annual student writing contests open to all high school, middle school and elementary school students of North America in their respective categories.

No matter who we are, no matter where we live and no matter what life we choose to lead, we are all Nepali in one way or another. In addition, whether we are aware of it or not, we are all shaped and influenced by our Nepali culture and traditions. Our roots lead us deeper to Nepal and nurtures us directly or indirectly through nutrients of Nepali cultures and traditions that has evolved over thousands years of Nepali civilization.

The goal of this essay contest is to increase awareness about Nepal and its culture so that we can know and preserve our culture and ultimately gain a better understanding of ourselves.

Following are the brief details about the individual contest for high school, middle school and elementary school. For detail information regarding guideline, eligibility, submission date, judging committee and judging criteria read the corresponding attachment.

High School Contest (Grade 9-12)
Title – Preserving Nepalese Identity and Building its Future in the USA
This year’s theme for the ANMA/NASeA joint convention is “Preserving Nepalese Identity and Building its Future in the USA”. Write an essay that centers on the joint convention theme.

Some questions to answer are: What are your cherished Nepali values passed to you by your parents? What are the Nepali traditions, festival and customs you will like to observe, follow and pass to future generation and why do you like those? What are the things you will do to preserve and maintain those tradition, festival and values?

(Guideline: The essay should incorporate how you are going to maintain Nepali identity by following Nepali traditions, rituals and customs in your life in North America. Nepali values, rituals and traditions that you cherish most and would like to hand down to future generation. How do you think we can preserve our Nepali identity and build its future in North America?)

Awards & Recognitions: High school essay contest is sponsored by NASeA and ANMA. The first-place winner will be awarded a prize of US $300 along with an award certificate. The second and the third place winners will receive $100 and $50 respectively, along with their award certificate. The top three essays will also be published in NASeA’s upcoming Yeti View Point magazine. The winners will be honored during NASeA/ANMA joint convention in Labor Day Weekend, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The award for the high school writing contest is sponsored by Dr. Devi Gurung States and Himalayan Health Care Project from Saint Louis, Missouri.

Middle School Contest (Grade 6-8)
Title – Me and My Nepal
Memoir writing should cover what are the North American cultures, things, or events in your life in North America that that keeps bonding between you and Nepal alive or bring you back memories of your days in Nepal.

(Guideline: We are looking for North American cultures, things or events that trigger your bonding with Nepal or remind you of Nepal. Thus, do not include Nepali traditions that you and your family follow in North America and Nepali festivals and celebrations that you observe in North America as trigger points of your memory. Tell us your memory about how these things have been helping you to be bonded with Nepal).

Awards & Recognitions: Middle school narrative writing contest first, second and third place winner will be awarded a prize of US $100, $75 and $50 respectively, along with their award certificate. The top three narrative writings will also be published in NASeA’s upcoming Yeti View Point magazine. The winners will be honored during ANMA/NASeA joint convention in Labor Day Weekend, 2012 in Indianapolis, IN, USA. We would like to invite all interested students to participate and play vital role in making our effort successful.

The award for the middle school writing contest is sponsored by Dr. Sanjeeb Sapkota of Atlanta, Georgia.

Elementary School Contest (grade 1-5)
Title – Show and Tell: “Nepal – the Country of Mt. Everest and Buddha”
Assume that you have to do a “show-and-tell”, but this time instead of telling, you will be writing. The topic for this year’s show and tell is “Nepal – the Country of Mt. Everest and Buddha”. You can do “Show and Tell”: on anything related to Nepal, for example – Nepali food you like to eat, Nepali festivals you liked the most, Nepali Flag, Temple, Mountain, City, etc. Ask your parents to provide a picture of the object you are doing “show and tell” and write about it. Please do not forget to send us the picture along with your writing.

Awards & Recognitions: Elementary School “Show and Tell Nepal” contests’ first, second and third place winner will be awarded a prize of US $40, $35 and $25 respectively, along with their award certificate. The top three writings will also be published in NASeA’s upcoming Yeti View Point magazine. The winners will be honored during ANMA/NASeA joint convention in Labor Day Weekend, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

The award for the elementary school essay competition is sponsored by Nita Khatiwada from Lexington, Kentucky.

We would like to invite all interested students to participate and play vital role in making our effort successful.

Eligibility:
1.The content is open to all North American Region school students enrolled in 2012-2013 and to all home-school students in grade equivalent to regular school grades.
2.All essays must reflect the contestant’s own research and originality in writing.
3.Limit one submission per student.
4.Essay must be submitted online via email before deadline to all Judging Committee members (email of judging committee for each category is given below).

Essay specification:
1.Written in English language.
2.Student’s name, email address and day-time phone number must appear at the top of the essay.
3.Word limits: 800-1000 words for high school; 600-700 words for middle school; 400-500 words for grade 4th and 5th and 300 -400 words for 1st to 3rd grader. All words, except title and bibliography will be counted towards the word limits.
4.Type using MS-Word, Double-spaced and page numbered.
5.Submit in MS-Word format to Judging Committee Chair and carbon copy to all committee members.

Time table:
1.Essay submission deadline – July 23, 2012.
2.Winners will be notified by – Aug 13, 2012.
3.Recognition of Winners – September 1, 2012 (during cultural program of NASeA/ANMA annual joint convention).

Judging criteria:
1.Scope of research (20%)
2.Organization of content (15%)
3.Originality (20) %
4.Logic development (10 %)
5.Spelling and grammar (10%)
6.Clarity and sincerity of thoughts (10%)
7.Completeness (15%)

The judging committee – High school
• Dr. Sushama Pradhan, NC, USA – Chairperson: spradhan@gmail.com
•Mr. Sushil Shrma, KY, USA – Co-Chair: sushishma@gmail.com
•Dr. Batu Sharma, NC, USA – Member: batusharma@gmail.com
•Dr. Dhruba Tripathi, AB, Canada – Member: dakshintara@yahoo.com

The judging committee -Middle school
•Dr. Sushama Pradhan, NC, USA – Chairperson: spradhan@gmail.com
•Mr. Gopndra Bhattarai, IN, USA – Co-Chair:gopendrab@hotmail.com com
•Dr. Archana Kattel, FL, USA – Member: archana.kattel@gmail.com
•Ms. Srijana Khatiwada Sharma , GA, USA – Member: srijana98@gmail.com
•Mr. Jyoti Vaidya, London, ON, Canada – Member: jyotivaidya@hotmail.com

The judging committee -Elementary school
•Dr. Sushama Pradhan, NC, USA – Chairperson: spradhan@gmail.com
•Ms. Sreejana Uprety, MO, USA – Co-Chair: shreejana_uprety@hotmail.com
•Mr. Basanta Khadka, NC, USA –Member: bkhadka2001@yahoo.com
•Mr. Jhalendra Shrestha, AB, Canada- Member:jhalendra@yahoo.com

Dr. Sushama Pradhan
Committee Chair,

NASeA/ANMA Student Writing Contest, 2012