ALBUQUERQUE, NM – “Is it possible to have an ethical government without equity for all of its citizens?”
That’s the question that high school students statewide will tackle in the fourth annual New Mexico Ethics Watch Student Essay Contest.
New Mexico Ethics Watch (NMEW) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to making sure that New Mexico government is working ethically, and to improving the ethical culture in our state. Each year, they ask students to weigh-in on a relevant topic for the contest.
In recent years, the issue of equity has sparked an ongoing national conversation, and students today are more aware of the concept than perhaps any generation before. Their ideas and perspectives on equity will shape the way disparities involving marginalized groups are addressed, particularly in government, for years to come.
“Our youth today are largely in tune with the challenges we face as a society,” says NMEW Executive Director Kathleen Sabo. “They see and hear about these issues online and often weigh in on them on social media. This essay topic asks them to take that engagement a step further, to examine the relationship between these two noble goals – an ethical government, and equity for all. We are excited to read their entries.”
The contest is open to high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who attend New Mexico high schools. The contest’s guidelines and submission instructions can be found on NMEW’s website. Details include the following:
● The deadline for submission of completed essays to NMEW is June 10th, 2022 at 11:59p.m.
● Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st place ($500), 2nd place ($250), 3rd place ($150) and honorable mention (two prizes of $50).
● Essays will be judged blindly for relevance to theme, clarity, creativity and grammar/spelling.
● The contest is open to all students attending New Mexico high schools.
Winners will receive their award and monetary prize at a ceremony this summer.
For essay contest guidelines and submission info please go to the New Mexico Ethics Watch web site: https://www.nmethicswatch.org/student-essaycontest-2022.html