An essay contest for male students from seventh to 12th grade challenges boys and young men to articulate their goals in life and have a plan to achieve them. There’s a $1,000 prize for the winner, announced by June 7. Essays are due May 31 to Derrick Slack at derrick.slack@indyeast.lha.net.
The idea for an essay contest started randomly at Indianapolis Lighthouse East and took off quickly. Belinda Drake was invited to speak to a group of male students and try to give them some positivity since their school is closing in June. Drake, who is running as a write-in candidate for Indianapolis City-Council Council District 13 in November, invited a couple of her male friends.
Jasen Lockwood, better known as “Wood the Barber,” challenged the students to write an essay and said he would give the best one $250. William Ash, who works at The Haircutting Company, matched his $250, and then Slack matched their combined $500.
“It became a $1,000 contest within 30 minutes to an hour,” Drake said.
The contest is open to male students in Marion County. The essay should be a minimum of 500 words, typed and double-spaced. It should also include the student’s name, number, email address and grade level.
Drake said there aren’t restrictions on what the prize money is used for, although she said she hopes it’s used for “something positive” such as education. Even for those students who don’t win, Drake said there is still a benefit to articulating a goal and developing a plan to get there.
“Let’s engage our young males. Let’s get them back to critical thinking, mapping out how to be successful,” Drake said, adding that it’s not always the case that money follows hard work, “but you should receive some type of incentive to do the right thing.”
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
