Student essay contest focuses on volunteerism

Students in grades 10 through 12 are encouraged to write an essay about a volunteer effort they participated in for a contest sponsored by the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission.

The commission’s primary purpose is to substantially increase access to justice in civil legal matters for low- and moderate-income residents of Hawaii.

The topic for this year’s essay is: “Many hands make light work: How my work as a volunteer helped to build and/or strengthen my community.”

Seven students will be selected to each receive a $500 award, and each student’s teacher/adviser listed on the entry form (only one) will receive a $100 award for educational purposes. The student and teacher will be recognized by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court.

There will be a total of seven awards:

• Three for Honolulu County (Oahu);
• One for Maui County (Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i);
• One for East Hawai‘i County (Hawai‘i Island);
• One for West Hawai‘i County (Hawai‘i Island); and
• One for Kaua‘i County (Kaua‘i).

The essay must be 500 words or fewer, use font size 12, and must not exceed two pages, double-spaced. Essays are due Sept. 10.

Rules

1. All entries must include an entry and photo release form. All essays will become the property of the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission to be used in whole or in part to promote the work and mission of the Commission. Credit will be given to the author of the submission, including the name, school, and grade of the student.
2. All entries must be non-fiction, in English, and the original work of the student.
3. Entries are limited to students in grades 10 through 12.
4. Essays submitted in prior years cannot be resubmitted and will be disqualified.
5. All decisions by the contest committee and judges are final.
6. Winners will be asked to provide a photo of the student engaged in volunteer activity.

All essays, including the signed entry and photo release, must be emailed to essaycontest@schlackito.com by Friday, Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m. HST.

The winners will be contacted by Oct. 4. Students who were not selected will receive an email notification.

If you have any questions, email ATJProBono@gmail.com. Please no telephone calls.