Students invited to enter Lake County Rising essay contest
The Lake County State's Attorney Michael G. Nerheim invites high school students in Lake County to participate in an essay contest for Lake County Rising, a public statement demanding the end of violence perpetrated against women.
Students are asked to write an essay of 500 words or less that addresses the following questions: (1) What does a future without violence look like? (2) how would it benefit you personally to have a future free of violence? and (3) what do you intend to do to help create a future that is free of violence?
Essays that incorporate the themes "Rise, Resist and Unite" will be given top consideration.
"Involving our youth is a key component of our community engagement strategy," Nerheim said. "We want to empower and encourage them to be social justice champions and I am excited to hear their ideas."
Lake County Rising is a local version of the global movement One Billion Rising. In 2012, playwright Eve Ensler began a movement to bring attention to and end violence against women. One Billion Rising is now a global movement, where individuals across the world come together to Rise, Resist and Unite on behalf of women across the world.
Round Lake Beach resident and former trustee Judy Armstrong was inspired to see Lake County participate in this global movement. In addition to Armstrong's participation, other partners with the State's Attorney's Office are: NICASA, the YWCA, the Zacharias Center, a Safe Place, and John Flynn of Up2Us.
Lake County Rising will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at Round Lake Beach Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way in Round Lake Beach. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a resource fair featuring area nonprofit organizations that provide services to women and children.
The program will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature students from Round Lake High School performing vignettes that depict various forms of oppression against women. The winner of the essay contest will read his/her essay during the program.
For more information, contact the Lake County State's Attorney's Office at (847) 377-3000.
Essay Application Process
High school students in Lake County are invited to participate in the essay contest with a focus consistent with the global theme: Rise! Resist! Unite! End violence against women. Essays can be inclusive of ending violence against all individuals.
The essays should:
• Be 500 words or less
• Be double spaced
• Answer the questions: What does a future without violence look like? How would it benefit you personally to have a future free of violence? What do you intend to do to help create a future that is free of violence
• Include a cover page that lists the student's name, school of attendance, year in school, a contact number and an email address.
Essay entries should be sent to: Sandra Bankston, Lake County State's Attorney's Office, at sbankston@lakecountyil.gov by Jan. 3, 2019.
The winner of the essay will be notified by Feb. 5. The winner will receive a monetary award and will be invited to read their essay at the Lake County Rising event.