dna essay contest 2022

Realizing the benefits of human genetics and genomics research for people everywhere.

Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

ASHG is proud to support National DNA Day through the Annual DNA Day Essay Contest. DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953.

This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments that indicate a deep understanding of scientific concepts related to the essay question. They are evaluated by ASHG members through three rounds of scoring.

The submission deadline has passed. Winners will be announced on Thursday, April 25. 

2024 Question

Many human diseases have a genetic component. Some diseases result from a change in a single gene or even multiple genes. Yet, many diseases are complex and stem from an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental factors may include chemicals in the air or water, nutrition, microbes, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and social context. Provide an example of how the interplay of genetics and environment can shape human health.

Important Dates

• Early January, 2024: Submission site opens
• March 6, 2024: Submission site closes
• April 25, 2024: DNA Day! Winners and Honorable Mentions announced

1st Place Winner: $1,000 for student $1,000 genetics materials grant

2nd Place Winner: $600 for student $600 genetics materials grant

3rd Place Winner: $400 for student $400 genetics materials grant

Honorable Mentions : 10 student prizes of $100 each

Questions? Email [email protected]

The rubric below is used by judges to evaluate every essay in the second and third rounds of judging.

Rules & Requirements

• No LLM (large-language model) tool will be accepted as a credited author on this essay. That is because any attribution of authorship carries with it accountability for the work, and AI tools cannot take such responsibility. Students using LLM tools should document this use in the citations section.
• Essays must be submitted by a teacher or administrator and written by high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. and internationally. Parents may submit essays if the student is home schooled.
• Essays must be written by one individual student; group submissions are not permitted.
• Essays must be in English and no more than 750 words. Word count includes in-text citations, but not reference lists.
• Submissions should not include the student’s name in the essay text. This helps with impartial judging.
• Essays must include at least one reference. References should be clearly documented with both in-text citations and in the references list. The reference list should be separately entered in the “References” section of the submission page.
• APA or MLA style can be used for citations. There is no limit on how many references students may use, but they should avoid too many references, as judges want to know the student’s opinion on the question and not the opinion of the resources.
• Quality of references will be considered by judges when scoring.
• Only classroom teachers are eligible for the equipment grant.
• Teachers of first-place winners from 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are not eligible for equipment grants in 2024.

Please Note Text from essays may be used for research purposes to identify misconceptions, misunderstandings, and areas of student interest in genetics. Student text may be published on the ASHG website, newsletter, or in other ASHG publications.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The text of the student’s essay must be his or her own words unless quotations are explicitly noted. If plagiarism is suspected during any point of the contest, the essay in question will be examined. Essays found to contain the uncited work of others will be disqualified and the student’s teacher will be notified. Plagiarism.org gives a helpful explanation of what plagiarism is.

How many essays can one student submit? Only one entry per student.

How many essays can one teacher submit on behalf of students? Each teacher may submit up to six student essays per class, for up to three classes.

What are low-quality a high-quality sources? A low-quality source is one that doesn’t guarantee accurate information, such as Wikipedia. High-quality sources include research journals, such as those accessible through PubMed.

What is included in the 750-word count, and what is not?

• All text in the essay, in-line citations/references, headings and titles, and image captions are included in the word count
• The reference list is the only text not included in the word count.

Should references have a separate page? The reference list will be submitted separately in the “references” section of the submission site. Everything will be included on one page once the essay is submitted.

Is there a standard font or margin size preferred? No. Once the essay is copied and pasted into the submission site, it will be formatted to fit our standard margins and fonts.

How do I submit my essay if my teacher cannot do it for me? Try to find any other teacher or guidance counselor at your school who can submit for you. If this isn’t an option, please email us at [email protected] .

Can my guidance counselor or another school administrator submit my essay for me? Yes.

Can I submit for my student who is currently studying abroad? Students must be studying at the same school as the teacher who submits their essays.

Can I change information after I have submitted? No, please make sure all information is correct before submitting because it will be final.

How does the teacher vouch for the originality of the student’s work? Your submission represents your authentication that the essays are the original work of your students.

I submitted late. Will my essay still be judged? Late submissions will not be judged.

Where’s the confirmation email? It may take some time for the email to get to you. If you haven’t received it by the end of the day, either check your junk mailbox or double check that the email address you provided is correct. If neither of those options work, email [email protected] .

Summarized below are some of the most common issues judges note in reading submitted essays.

• Too much focus on details. A focus on details to the detriment of demonstrating a clear understanding of the big picture. Judges are much more forgiving of errors in details than errors in fundamental concepts and larger ideas.
• Overstating. Sweeping and grandiose overstatements of the current/future state and/or utility of biotechnology or biomedical science.
• Inaccuracy in technical language. Judges know you do not know all the “science jargon,” so don’t feel obligated to use it.
• Lack of in-text citations in, or lack of citations for information that is not considered common knowledge. If you got the information from somewhere else, cite the source.
• Using out-of-date references. Scientific understanding changes very rapidly, and references that are more than five years old are likely to have outdated ideas.
• Using too many quotes. Although occasional use is warranted, too many quotes lead judges to think the author doesn’t grasp the topic.

Check out the links below for excerpts from past winners’ essays!

Want to become a judge? If you are a current-year ASHG member, you will receive an email each February inviting you to volunteer. If you did not receive the email or cannot locate it, please contact [email protected] . You can also volunteer by the visiting the ASHG involvement page. You may forward the judge recruiting email ONLY to fellow ASHG current members. The deadline to sign up as a judge is the usually the end of February for that year’s Contest. If you have questions about future years, please contact [email protected]

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Life Science and Medical News from Around the Globe

ASHG Announces 2022 High-School Winners of International DNA Day Essay Contest; Contestants Addressed Impact of Gregor Mendel’s Discoveries on Today’s Research

On April 25, 2022, as part of its celebration of National DNA Day, the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) announced the winners of its 2022 DNA Day Essay Contest , which encourages high school students worldwide to learn about human genetics concepts and apply them to current scientific and societal issues. The three winner spots were awarded to international students, the second consecutive year that this has ever happened in the contest’s history. ASHG awarded first place to Man Tak Mindy Shie, grade 12 at Singapore International School (Hong Kong), in Hong Kong, China; second place to Gillian Wells, grade 11 at Ulverston Victoria High School in Ulverston, England, UK; and third place to Yiyang Zhang, grade 11 at Shanghai High School International Division in Shanghai, China.

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Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

• Last modified 2024-01-25
• Published on 2021-05-13

Competition Details

Introduction : Annual DNA Day Essay Contest is hosted by the American Society of Human Genetics, in support of National DNA Day. DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953. In celebration of DNA Day, the American Society of Human Genetics hosts Annual DNA Day Essay Contest.

2024 Question:

Many human diseases have a genetic component. Some diseases result from a change in a single gene or even multiple genes. Yet, many diseases are complex and stem from an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental factors may include chemicals in the air or water, nutrition, microbes, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and social context. Provide an example of how the interplay of genetics and environment can shape human health.

Submission Rule: Essays must be in English and no more than 750 words. Word count includes in-text citations, but not reference lists. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments that indicate a deep understanding of scientific concepts related to the essay question.

1st Place Winner: $1,000 for student $1,000 genetics materials grant

2nd Place Winner: $600 for student $600 genetics materials grant

3rd Place Winner: $400 for student $400 genetics materials grant

Competition Website: See general information about the organization and the Annual DNA Day Essay Contest. Read the winning essay from 2021 and 2022 . For other competitions, go to Aralia’s Competition List .

Eligibility

Open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide. Parents may submit essays if the student is home schooled.

Submission deadline

March 6, 2024

Our Teaching Methods

1:1 personalized curriculum.

After registration, your assigned teacher and course consultant will go over course expectations, personal goals, and course plans.

Expert teachers

Aralia's instructors are teachers from top-ranking high schools and colleges across the United States. They will help you cultivate the skills and knowledge needed for college and future career

Your success

With the combination of personalized curriculum and years of teaching experience, you are set to achieve your personal and professional success

Students who previously took the class:

Throughout the years, our students have successfully gained admission or are currently attending top-ranking secondary and high schools around the world: America, Australia, Canada, China, and more:

• Cardigan Mountain School
• Choate Rosemary Hall
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• Groton School

Other competition preparation programs that we offer

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National Junior Classical League Contests

Aralia Education is an innovative online education platform for ambitious middle and high school students worldwide. Aralia’s instructors propel students forward by helping them build a strong foundation in traditional academic courses. They also actively engage and guide students in exploring personal interests beyond their school curriculum. With this holistic approach, Aralia ensures its students are well-prepared for college and equipped for success in their future careers.

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Essay Contest

The 2024 Essay Contest is now closed. Winners will be announced in July.

About the Contest

The Lasker Essay Contest engages early career scientists and clinicians from the US and around the globe in a discussion about big questions in biology and medicine and the role of biomedical research in our society today. The Contest aims to build skills in communicating important medical and scientific issues to broad audiences. The topic is announced annually in early February, and winners are announced in mid-July.

Eligibility

The Contest is open to medical school students, interns, residents, and fellows; doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences; and graduate students training in health professions programs e.g., public health, dental, pharmacy, etc who are currently doing research. Applicants (from the US or any other countries) must be currently participating in an educational program. This program may be located in any country.

Winners will receive up to $5,000. Monetary prizes will be directed to the winner’s university to be used towards the winner’s educational expenses.

Essays should be 800 words or less and must be written in English. We allow only one essay submission per applicant, and the essay must be written by a single author. The use of any generative AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT) in composing an entry is prohibited – all essays will be screened with software designed to detect use of AI. Essays need to be original; content previously published will be disqualified.The file containing the essay should include the essay title and the applicant’s name, email, and institutional affiliation. The 800-word limit applies to the body of the essay. Field-specific scientific jargon should be avoided or explained.

Evaluation Criteria

Essays will be evaluated based on their originality, quality of writing, style, and clarity. Essays that are not written in English or are longer than 800 words will not be considered.

Publication

The winning essays will be published in the July issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation .

All Winners

Meet the Winners of the 2023 Essay Contest and Read the Essays

Meet the Winners of the 2022 Lasker Essay Contest

The 2022 Lasker Essay Contest

Meet the Winners of the 2021 Lasker Essay Contest

The 2021 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2020 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2019 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2018 Essay Contest

Winners of the 2017 Essay Contest

Winners of the 2016 Essay Contest

Winners of 2015 Essay Contest: The “Research Challenge”

2014 Essay Contest: Supporting Medical Research

Read the winning essays.

Allison R. Chen Research Training in an AI World

Louise O. Downs Is a Test Better Than No Test When There Is No Treatment?

Ayush Kumar Using HG1222 — A Perspective Into the Ethics of Collecting Biospecimens

Salman E. Qasim The Human Brain: The Final Frontier and the Wild West

Sneha P. Rath Cementing the Bricks

Kaelyn Cummins Microbes, Medicine, and Astronauts: Reflections on a Collaborative Project

Azmina Karukappadath Two Fields, One Dream

Hussain Lalani I Would Be Scared if I Heard That Too

Rutvij Merchant Pathways to Global Health Equity: More Seats, Fresh Perspectives

Kirti Nath Puzzles

Avik Ray Unified Diversity: The Team Game

Ziad Ali What Happens Now?

Banafsheh Nazari Embracing Technology, the Pandemic’s Lesson for Us

Trisha Pasricha One more question

Miriam Saffern My Mother is a Layperson

Adina Schonbrun The Cornerstone of Scientific Success: Unsung Frontline Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emily Ashkin Michael Bishop: A Scientist for the Next Generation

David Basta For the Love of Science

Avash Das Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein: Tribute to My Inspiration

William Dunn Sweet Are the Uses of Adversity

Safwan Elkhatib Salk, Sabin, and the Crown of Health

Laurel Gabler Putting “People’s Health in People’s Hands”: How the Bangs Inspired my Personal Journey

Kwabena Kusi-Mensah As One Single Tribe: Thinking Globally and Locally

Lisa Learman With the Corn, Against the Grain

Olivia Lucero Genetics as a Tool for Generational Empowerment

Hannah Mason My Gym Genie: Gathering Inspiration from Dr. John Schiller

Samantha Wong Fauci: Science as a Voice of Reason

Grace Beggs Game On: Smartphone Technology for Science Education

Peter John Making it All Fun and Games in the Biomedical Sciences

Dereck Paul Pathways: A National Mentorship Program for High School Students Underrepresented in Science and Medicine

David Hartmann Cancer Survivors: Outstanding Advocates for Trust in Science

Debra Karhson A Verification Vaccine for Social Contagion

Caroline Vissers Diversity at the Top of the Social Media Signaling Cascade

Abigail Cline Science and Cinema: From the Benchtop to the Big Screen

Tammy Tran Science Is Everywhere: Unexpected Science Encounters in the Course of Everyday Life

Michael Wu Search for Science: Smart Search-Linked Discussion Forums

Jennifer Bratburd Breaking through Barriers to Science with Citizen Science

Apurva Lunia Dissemination of Biomedical Research Via Multimedia Platforms Using Existing Healthcare Frameworks

Jessica Sagers Let’s Get Real: (Re)making Scientists Into People

David Ottenheimer Modern Neuroscience Has the Tools to Treat Psychiatric Illness

Therese Woodring (Korndorf) Hacking the Bacterial Social Network: Quorum Sensing and the Future of Microbial Management

Unikora Yang The Cutting Edge of DNA Editing: Translating CRISPR to Improve Human health

David Hill Mutual Understanding: Uncovering the Mechanistic Basis of the Host-Symbiont Relationship in Human Health

Joseph Rathkey In Silico Modeling as an Ideal Platform for Future Biological Research and Discovery

Stephanie Ng Depression and the Final Frontier

Omar Toubat Mastering the Genetic Reprogramming of Cells

Peter Soh Offering Incentives for Future Scientists

Michael Burel Catalyzing Broad Public Interest in Scientific Research

Nick Andresen Crowdsourcing a Medical Research Donation Database

Gregg Gonsalves Researchers as Advocates and Activists

Upcoming Summer 2024 Application Deadline is April 14, 2024.  

Click here to apply.

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10 Amazing Tips to Help You Win ASHG's DNA Day Essay Contest

Participating in international essay contests can be a valuable experience as a high school student, providing you with an opportunity to showcase your writing skills, critical thinking abilities, and knowledge on specific subjects. Beyond the intrinsic rewards of intellectual growth and self-expression, such contests can also significantly boost a student's profile when applying to college. Colleges and universities often look for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated excellence in various aspects of their academic and extracurricular pursuits, and winning an essay contest is a compelling testament to a student's intellectual passions.

One prominent essay contest that not only offers students a chance to demonstrate their abilities in writing but also potentially win prizes ranging from $1,000 to $100 is the DNA Essay Contest .   In this article, we will explore the structure, costs, prompt, eligibility, and other essential information about the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest. We'll also share 10 valuable tips that’ll help you put your best foot forward and hopefully win the contest! 

What is the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest?

The ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest is an annual contest organized by the American Society of Human Genetics . This contest aims to encourage high school students to explore and reflect on the advancements, implications, and ethical considerations of genetics. It provides a platform for students to express their thoughts on how genetics shapes our world and influences various aspects of our lives.

Teachers and students around the world are encouraged to celebrate “DNA Day” by participating in the American Society of Human Genetics' (ASHG) annual DNA Day Essay Contest. The essay question each year aims to cover a current topic in genetics that may not be covered in typical biology classes.

Structure of the contest

The contest involves submitting an essay on a specific prompt related to genetics that is updated annually. Participants are required to craft an original, well-researched, and thought-provoking essay that addresses the given topic. The essays are evaluated by a panel of experts in genetics and related fields.

How you will be judged

What are the reviewers looking for when evaluating the essays? The following rubric will give you a sense of how the essays are scored. 

The overall accuracy of the science content: 0-6

Use of evidence in support of an argument/answer; essay well-focused on the question/topic selected: 0-6

Writing quality (clear thesis, composition, grammar, syntax, spelling: 0-5

References and citations (quality and appropriateness): 0-3

Total Points: 0-20

One of the appealing aspects of the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest is that it is free to enter. This inclusivity ensures that students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can participate without any financial barriers. This aligns with the organization's commitment to promoting education and awareness in the field of human genetics.

What are the prizes?

The prizes range from $100 - 1000 dollars. 

$1,000 + $1,000 genetics materials grant for 1st Place Winner

$600 + $600 genetics materials grant for 2nd Place Winner

$400 + $400 genetics materials grant for 3rd Place Winner

$100 each for Honorable Mentions 10 students

The essay prompt for the contest varies each year, challenging participants to think critically about different aspects of genetics. The prompt is carefully crafted to encourage students to explore scientific concepts, ethical dilemmas, and societal implications related to genetics. It is crucial for participants to thoroughly understand and address the specific components of the prompt in their essays.

To give you a sense of the types of prompts typical of the DNA essay contest, the 2024 prompt is the following:

Many human diseases have a genetic component. Some diseases result from a change in a single gene or even multiple genes. Yet, many diseases are complex and stem from an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental factors may include chemicals in the air or water, nutrition, microbes, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and social context. Provide an example of how the interplay of genetics and environment can shape human health.

Eligibility

The contest is open to high school students around the world. Participants must be in grades 9-12 and submit their essays by the specified deadline. 

The competition is not limited to students studying biology or genetics; students from diverse academic backgrounds are encouraged to participate. This inclusivity allows for a broad range of perspectives and insights, enriching the overall quality of the submissions.

Application Information and timelines

In early January the submission site opens and in early March 2024 the submission site closes. On April 25, 2024, DNA Day, the winners and honorable mentions are announced. To enter the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, students need to visit the official contest website to get the most up-to-date information. The application process is streamlined and user-friendly, ensuring that students can easily navigate through the requirements and submit their essays electronically.

Now that we have covered the fundamental aspects of the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, let's look at 10 tips that can significantly enhance your chances of winning:

Don’t overemphasize the details

Avoid sweeping overstatements in your essay

Avoid inaccuracy in technical language

Utilize in-text citations

Don’tuse of out-of-date references

Avoid excessive reliance on quotes

Address ethical considerations in your essay

  Avoid any inconsistency in your argumentation

Don’t ignore counterarguments - address them

Seek references from past essays and pay attention to the formatting guidelines

Participating in the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest will provide you with a unique opportunity to explore the intricate world of genetics while honing your writing and critical thinking skills. By following the 10 tips outlined in this article, aspiring participants will enhance their chances of creating a compelling and winning essay. From thorough research and utilization of official resources to incorporating personal reflections and addressing ethical considerations, these tips are designed to guide you toward success in this prestigious competition.

As you embark on your essay-writing journey, remember that each entry is not just a chance to win but also an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding genetics and its profound impact on our world. This is an opportunity that you can use to reflect on with mentors in high school and in your future college admissions process. 

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are passionate about research in biology and other STEM subjects, you could also consider applying to the   Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online program for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the   application form  here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: ASHG's DNA Day Essay Contest 2023 logo

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The European Society of Human Genetics

News details, eshg dna day essay & video contest 2024: submission now open.

Essays and Videos can be submitted electronically between January and April 25 (Deadline for submission).

This year’s question: 'Ask an Artificial Intelligence chat of your choice to write a 350 word essay on the topic: “Is the human Y-chromosome vanishing in the future?” In a 750 word essay of your own, discuss the result and its consequences, should the public believe the content of the A.I. essay was actually true.'

Finally, we are looking for a number of judges volunteering to evaluate the submissions. Please email us if you would like to contribute as a judge, your help would be greatly appreciated.

With almost 180 submissions from 22 countries, 2023 was another great year for our DNA Day Essay and Video contest. The “top five” participating countries were Turkey, United Kingdom, Albania, Italy, and France. The number of submissions has grown from about 90 in the first year the event was held. For the 16th year, the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) will be sponsoring a DNA Day Essay contest in European high schools as part of International DNA Day activities. Given the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence on our lives, the Education Committee has decided to make A.I. part of the contest instead of banning it. This year’s question is:

' Ask an Artificial Intelligence chat of your choice to write a 350 word essay on the topic: “Is the human Y-chromosome vanishing in the future?” In a 750 word essay of your own, discuss the result and its consequences, should the public believe the content of the A.I. essay was actually true.'

More information: DNA Day website ( www.dnaday.eu )

Finally, we are looking for a number of judges volunteering to evaluate the submissions. Judging will be made between May 1 and May 20 and is great fun! Please let us know if you would like to contribute as a judge, your help would be greatly appreciated.

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Winners 2022

Fourteenth annual european dna day essay contest for high school students, the winners have been selected.

The European Society of Human Genetics was delighted that students from  22 European countries submitted 167 essays and 23 videos this year.  The evaluation was made involving 62 experts in the field, who selected the following  3 winners and 7 honourable mentions .

The names of the winners will be announced in front of more than 4.800 international scientists and doctors attending the European Human Genetics Conference in Vienna on June 14, 2022.

Winners, commendation as well as honourable mentions will receive a  diploma  within the next weeks.  Acknowledgements  will be sent to all submitters.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 DNA Day Essay contest!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 video contest, congratulations to the honorable mentions, honourable mentions essay contest (in alphabetical order), see all winning essays, honourable mentions video contest (in alphabetical order).

First Place Winner: EUR 300.- In addition, sponsoring teachers of first place students will receive EUR 1.000.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment.

Second Place Winner: EUR 200.- In addition, sponsoring teachers of first place students will receive EUR 800.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment

Special Commendation by the Jury: EUR 100.- In addition, sponsoring teachers of first place students will receive EUR 500.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment

All participants will receive a certificate of appreciation for their participation in the contest.

Question 2022

‘How can DNA help us to discover ancient human history?’

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WEATHER ALERT

4 warnings in effect for 8 counties in the area

‘rebuilding is in our dna’: 4th grade essay contest winner envisions houston’s equitable future, read her moving words as city looks toward its 200th anniversary.

Amanda Cochran , Digital Special Projects Manager

HOUSTON – Areeba Hassan, a 4th grader from Roberts Elementary, is the citywide winner of the Blueprint for Houston’s Future Writing Contest.

The contest “fosters the imaginative creativity in young Houstonians and empowers them with the authority to architect their future,” according to a news release from the contest organizers. Houston2036 Taskforce on Equity hosted the event. The taskforce said it “has incited a transformative citywide movement to build justice through equity with action.”

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In her essay, “Okay, Houston. We Have Solutions,” Areeba boldly called for equity and prosperity to reside in Houston symbiotically. She wrote that she would personally lead transformative education, health, criminal justice, and environment initiatives to address the historical injustice that specifically African Americans and Hispanic immigrants have endured. She closed by encouraging Houston. She wanted Houstonians to understand their strength, as a city, to transform disastrous conditions by recounting the innumerable times after horrific storms Houstonians come together to start over saying, “Rebuilding is in our DNA.”

This is her full essay:

“Okay, Houston…We Have Solutions Here”

“For nearly two centuries, Houston has grown as a city of prosperity. However, Houston has also struggled historically with the equity and integration of its people. After the Civil War, Houston’s white population did not support the newly freed black people coming to the city. Implicit segregation still impacts its minorities. As we near Houston’s 200th birthday, it is time to rebuild Houston as a city that cherishes equity as much as prosperity.”

“To its privileged community, Houston is the “Bayou City” and “Space City” with world-class museums, parks, schools, and hospitals. However, not every Houstonian gets the benefits of this grandeur. It is the 18th most racially segregated city in the nation. About 38% of children and one in every four adults live here in poverty. Many schools struggle for teachers, staff, and supplies. The city’s literacy rate is only 61% and one in every three adults in Houston does not have the skills needed for their job. In 2019, Houston had the highest number of residents without health insurance. The black and Hispanic people here suffer the most from lack of access to health care. In the COVID-19 pandemic, they have lost more lives than the other communities. They also get the least legal support during criminal charges. This situation is heartbreaking but with proper vision, plans, and actions, we can rebuild Houston as a city that champions equity in education, health care and justice.”

“In 2036, I want every school in Houston to have the necessary resources. People will have access to the best health care regardless of their insurance. Nobody will be conceived (sic) as a criminal because of their race. Lastly, Houston will be a clean and green city that cares as much for its nature as its people.”

“I am ready to lead in rebuilding Houston. I will initiate inter-school exchange programs and city-wide literacy clubs to make the best quality education accessible to everyone. I will also educate the youth to start small businesses. I will open community health clinics and legal assistance clinics and make volunteering for these institutions part of a graduation requirement in our school system. I will utilize online platforms and virtual meetings to connect the deprived people with my initiatives. Perhaps my plans are ambitious, but I can collaborate with organizations like ‘One Houston Together’ to leverage their infrastructure.”

“Houston has revived after many natural calamities. Rebuilding is in our DNA! I believe my enthusiasm, action plans, and effort will rebuild Houston by 2036 as a city of equity and prosperity.”

For her winning essay, Areeba won a laptop, donated from Comcast Houston. She along with five other school winners received special recognition, prizes, and a class party. Those school winners who joined in the Blueprint for Houston’s Future celebration were Alexandria Garcia, fifth grade, Arabic Immersion Magnet School, Maxine Cotton, fourth grade, Baker Montessori School, Emaani Williams, fifth grade, Blackshear Elementary School, Gabriella Alonzo, fifth grade, Gross Elementary School, Mark Blanco, fourth grade, Herrera Elementary School.

KPRC 2 is an underwriter for the Houston’s Future Writing Contest.

Read all of the contest’s winning essays at houston2036.com . You can also learn more about Houston2036 Taskforce on Equity.

Copyright 2022 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

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Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest. 

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application.  The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information. 

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

• Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
• Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
• Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
• Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

• The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
• An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

• Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
• Be age 16 or older.
• Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
• If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
• As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

© 2024 Regions Bank. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

2023 Winners

High school:.

• Amyrrean Acoff
• Leon Aldridge
• Kharis Andrews
• Colton Collier
• Indya Griffin
• Christopher Hak
• Aquil Hayes
• Jayden Haynes
• McKenna Jodoin
• Paris Kelly
• Liza Latimer
• Dylan Lodle
• Anna Mammarelli
• Karrington Manley
• Marcellus Odum
• Gautami Palthepu
• Melody Small
• Lauryn Tanner
• Joshua Wilson
• Mohamed Ali
• Kayla Bellamy
• Lauren Boxx
• Alexandria Brown
• Samuel Brown
• Thurston Brown
• Conner Daehler
• Tsehai de Souza
• Anjel Echols
• Samarion Flowers
• Trinity Griffin
• Kristina Hilton
• Ryan Jensen
• Miracle Jones
• Shaniece McGhee
• Chelby Melvin
• Lamiya Ousley
• Kiera Phillips
• Gabrielle Pippins
• Ethan Snead
• Sydney Springs
• Kirsten Tilford
• Tamira Weeks
• Justin Williams

2022 Winners

• Paul Aucremann
• William Booker
• Robyn Cunningham
• Kani'ya Davis
• Oluwatomi Dugbo
• Lillian Goins
• Parker Hall
• Collin Hatfield
• Gabrielle Izu
• Kylie Lauderdale
• Jacob Milan
• Jackson Mitchell
• Carmen Moore
• Madison Morgan
• Kaden Oquelí-White
• Kaylin Parks
• Brian Perryman
• De'Marco Riggins
• Brianna Roundtree
• Sydney Russell
• Carlie Spore
• Morgan Standifer
• Ionia Thomas
• Ramaya Thomas
• Jaylen Toran
• Amani Veals
• Taylor Williams
• Alana Wilson
• Taryn Wilson
• Aryaunna Armstrong
• Hannah Blackwell
• T'Aneka Bowers
• Naomi Bradley
• Arianna Cannon
• Taylor Cline
• Catherine Cummings
• Margaret Fitzgerald
• Chloe Franklin
• Camryn Gaines
• Thomas Greer
• Kayla Helleson
• Veronica Holmes
• Logan Kurtz
• Samuel Lambert
• Jaylon Muchison
• Teresa Odom
• Andrew Payne
• Carey Price
• Emily SantiAnna
• Curtis Smith
• Jered Smith
• Mariah Standifer
• Maura Taylor
• Anna Wilkes

Netflix Orders Dark Comedy Series From Tom Segura

By Selome Hailu

Selome Hailu

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Netflix has greenlit a six-episode dark comedy series from Tom Segura .

Per the official description, the currently untitled series “centers on Segura, who also serves as the show’s narrator, as he takes us through each episode in a series of vignettes. The twisted comedic sensibility of Tom’s standup is the core DNA of this series, where every story will unfold in a hilariously disturbing way only he could imagine.”

Segura wrote, self-financed and produced the pilot before selling it to Netflix, which is producing the full series later this year and releasing it in 2025. Rami Hachach directed the pilot.

Popular on Variety

Jeremy Konner will serve as head writer. He is best known for co-creating the educational comedy series “Drunk History,” which ran on Comedy Central for six seasons from 2013 to 2019, as well as the children’s puppet series “Waffles & Mochi,” which had one season and a special on Netflix in 2021 as well as a six-episode spinoff in 2022.

Segura and Ryan Hall will produce through Your Mom’s House Studios.

Segura has previously worked with Netflix on five comedy specials: “Sledgehammer” (2023), “Ball Hog” (2020), “Disgraceful” (2018), “Mostly Stories” (2016) and “Completely Normal” (2014). He is currently on a stand-up tour titled “Come Together.” In 2022, he published the bestselling comedic essay collection “I’d Like to Play Alone, Please.” Via his YMH Studios banner, he co-hosts the podcasts “Your Mom’s House” with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky and “2 Bears 1 Cave” with comedian Bert Kreischer.

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