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Arts & Entertainment

Youth Commission Seeks Young Writers For Contest

The Suisun City Youth Commission looks to get youth interested and educated on local community figures

The Suisun City Youth Commission is sponsoring a writing competition for youth from grades 5 through 12. The competition focuses on three local community leaders for participants to choose from and write an essay on the impressions they have made on education, civics and faith.

“The purpose of the contest is to connect the kids with a little bit of local history and especially some individuals that stood out in the community over the eons of time, and it’s just a good thing to do,” said David Knott, founder.

The competition gives young writers a chance to choose from three distinguished leaders: Walter Gordon, the first African American to earn a doctorate degree from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall Law School; Carl Hall former fire chief of the , or Rev. Claybon Lea, Sr., civil rights activist and founder of the in Suisun City. Knot said the three leaders may take a bit of extensive research, since complete information about them may not be on the internet.

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“A lot of people didn’t know who Carl Hall is or what Carl Hall had done in the community,” Knott said.”So I suggested a year ago when I was at the Fire Department’s parade of costumes that we should do some kind of
essay contest so that people could find out more about Carl Hall.”

The Suisun City Youth Commission was established in 2007 to help improve youth achievement in the area. The commission currently runs ad hoc committees, working on specific projects such as the essay contest, or
planning for events such as their 3rd Annual Holiday Musical at the Suisun City Library. Knott, who also began the Suisun City Library’s Chess Club, will have a Chess Tournament with the SCYC at the library Dec. 3.

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Knott said the commission is also looking for members devoted to helping youth and pointing them in the right direction. Members, too, should be able to contribute ideas of their own for future projects and to be mentors to youth. Members need not live within Suisun City to participate, he said.

“We’re recruiting people willing to walk beside us and be our friends,” Knott said.

The deadline for the essay contest is Dec. 3. The first place winner will be presented with a plaque and award of $50, second and third place winners will receive a certificate and award for $25. Winners will be contacted about a week after the submission deadline and also have their essays posted in the library on display. They will be presented with awards during the Holiday Musical.

For more information about the SCYC’s Essay Contest or other events, contact David Knot via email at davidk9806@aol.com.

 

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