Bridge the Gap Interview Contest Bridge the Gap Essay Contest

BRIDGE THE GAP INTERVIEW CONTEST

Since the 1970s, the thousands of Vietnamese boat people who came to America have continued and started families, introducing a new generation of Vietnamese people to society.  This contest aims to increase knowledge of Vietnamese culture and the plight of the boat people in this younger generation.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Host an on camera interview with one or more persons who fled Vietnam by boat.  These individuals may be relatives, friends, or other community members.

REQUIREMENTS:

The interview must be at least 10 minutes in length and must not exceed 20 minutes.  The interview must be taped with submission to be turned in online at the specified date (tba).  The format of the interview is up to you, but we encourage you to discuss issues related to the interviewee’s journey as a boat person, both during his/her escape as well as in America.  Be creative!

ELIGIBILITY:

Must be a high school or middle school student of Vietnamese descent.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Submissions must be original works and will be judged on the following:

• Creativity
• Originality of interview
• Importance of topic(s) discussed
• Personal interaction during the interview

AWARD:  First place: $1000 scholarship
              Second place: $500 scholarship

BRIDGE THE GAP ESSAY CONTEST

Since the 1970s, the thousands of Vietnamese boat people who came to America have continued and started families, introducing a new generation of Vietnamese people to society.  This contest aims to increase knowledge of Vietnamese culture and the plight of the boat people in this younger generation.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Write an essay based upon an interview with a Vietnamese boat person.  This individual may be a relative, friend or other community member.

REQUIREMENTS:

The essay must be 500 words or less and must address one of the following questions:

• How do the experiences recounted by the interviewed individual relate to and/or impact your life as a Vietnamese-American?
• How can the younger generation of Vietnamese-Americans relate to and serve the older generation of Vietnamese boat people?

Essays must be submitted online by the specified date (tba).  The format of the essay is up to you. Be creative!

ELIGIBILITY:

Must be a high school or middle school student of Vietnamese descent.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Submissions must be original works and will be judged on the following:

• Creativity
• Originality
• Quality of writing
• Social and cultural impact of topic

AWARD:  First place: $1000 scholarship
              Second place: $500 scholarship

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June 9, 2008 --Laura Chau