Mayor Mike Seminary recognized two students who submitted entries to the Human Relations Committee, human rights essay contest. Awards were presented to the students in the presence of their parents, guests, classmates, teachers and Human Relations Committee (HRC) members where Mayor Seminary congratulated and recognized them for their outstanding achievements. The students receiving the awards were: Camila Morales, a fifth grade student at Miller Elementary School for her winning essay titled “Human Rights” and Julianne Cervantes, a sixth grade student at Horizon Middle School who was awarded for her essay titled “A right delayed is a right denied”. After the award presentation the recipients celebrated their achievements and enjoyed pizza with the Mayor, parents, classmates, teachers, and guests. View essays
Elementary school students in fourth and fifth grade were encouraged to write about a person or idea that fosters respect for human rights. Middle school students in sixth through eighth grades were encouraged to compose an essay or poem about the concept of leadership as it relates to human rights. Twelve students from three schools submitted entries for the contest. Notably, many of the entries submitted this year were from students who spoke English as a second language.
Each year, the Mayor’s Human Relations Committee sponsors a Human Rights Essay and Poetry contest for elementary school students in fourth and fifth grade, and middle school students in sixth through eighth grade, calling upon them to write an essay or a poem to foster increased awareness about human rights. “It’s important for youths to have learning experiences that foster and develop their awareness of human rights. They can make a difference by growing their own self-awareness and mindfulness of others reaching their full human potential in spite of barriers they may encounter,” said Mayor Seminary. “The Human Rights essay and poetry contest provides an opportunity for students to learn and explore human rights and what it means to them. It’s essential for youths to nurture the values of respect and dignity as they grow, learn and contribute to the future.”
The mission of the Human Relations Committee is to protect and promote the personal dignity of all Bismarck citizens and to eliminate any discriminatory barriers that prevent them from reaching their full human potential. Learn more about the Human Relations Committee.