Savino Offers $500 scholarship to Juneteenth Essay Contest Winner

State Senator Diane J. Savino (D-I-WF Staten Island) will bring Juneteenth, a celebration of African American freedom, to Staten Island for the first time as an elected official sponsored event. Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating the day many slaves first heard the emancipation proclamation for the first time and realized their freedom. June nineteenth of 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas were read the emancipation proclamation and word spread rather quickly plantation to plantation that they were no longer slaves, but free men and women.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. A time marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing.

The essay award will be presented amid a Juneteenth festival at the new Carter Community Center at 230 Broad Street 7-9 pm on Friday, June 17th. Essays must be less than 500 words and have the name address and contact information of the author. Entries are due in State Senator Diane j. Savino’s office located at 36 Richmond Terrace suite 112 by June 10, 2011. Entries can also be emailed to savinoevents@gmail.com additional rules and regulations are available at
http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/diane-j-savino