MADISON – Any student in Madison City Schools can apply their knack for writing with a contest that Alabama PTA is sponsoring.

In its commitment to serving as an advocate for all children, Alabama PTA is opening the 2023 Diversity Writing Contest to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. PTA officials pledge to foster a welcoming environment for all students by making diversity, equity and inclusion an integral component of their outreach. (alabamapta.org)

An organization that recognizes diversity will value differences and similarities among people through its actions. These characteristics include age, ethnicity, gender, language and culture, socioeconomic status, among other factors.

When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support.

PTA officials invite students in grades K-12 to write a one-page essay on these topics:

* Grades K-8 – “How does having people from different backgrounds impact a community’s growth?”

* Grades 9-12 – “How has diversity, or the lack thereof, affected the educational system?”

Winners will receive Amazon e-gift cards. The first-place winner will receive a gift card for $75, second place will earn $50, and the student that finishes in third place will take home $25.

Deadline for all entries is March 15. Students should submit their entries to alptadiversityinclusion@gmail.com.

PTA leaders will recognize winners in a virtual awards program on April 16. For more information, visit alabamapta.org/diversity-and-inclusion.

Madison City Council of PTAs consists of all the elected PTA officers from all campuses of Madison City Schools. For more information, email ptamadisoncity@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Madison City PTA or mcspta.square.site.