Clayton students take first, second and third in immigration essay contest

Clayton students take first, second and third in immigration essay contest

By Teresa Pione Monday, 20 April 2009

Three fifth graders at Clayton Elementary School won awards in the “Celebrate America” Creative Writing Contest with their essays on the theme “Why I am glad America is a nation of immigrants.” Zeena Jarrar, Raven Castro and Brian Lee won local recognition for first, second and third place respectively, with Jarrar advancing to win first place regionally.

Jarrar's winning essay details a 14-year old factory worker from India who saved enough money to travel with her family to a refuge camp in the United States.

Seven Austin schools contributed a total of 183 entries to the contest.

Sponsored by the American Immigration Law Foundation Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico Chapter, the contest was administered locally by immigration law firm Foster Quan, LLP. Legal assistant Cassie Smith said the firm strives to promote positive ideas on immigration in the community.

“We believe that this contest plays a significant role in demonstrating the important contributions immigrants make to our community and to America,” Smith said. “It facilitates education of the students, their families and teachers of the history of immigration and how it may relate to them on a more personal level.”

The Austin winners will be honored at an awards ceremony April 24 at City Hall.

Visit http://www.fosterquan.com for more information.