Houston Berean SDA Church

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.

This year’s theme is “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. In your essay submission, you may choose to highlight the contributions of an African American leader from the past or present whose life work inspired you to have a greater appreciation for STEAM. You may also create a spoken word piece This year the Houston Berean SDA Church Black History Essay Contest Committee invites you to choose one of the following prompts, and submit a 300-400 word essay that seeks to promote optimal health within our community. 

WRITING PROMPTS:

1. In what ways could a church support students who have an interest in S.T.E.A.M.?  
2. Tell us about an African American leader in S.T.E.A.M., whose life work has inspired you.
3. Create a spoken word piece that highlights the contributions of S.T.E.A.M. in the African American community

Who: Any High School Student who attends Jack Yates High School, the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy,

The Mickey Leland College Prep Academy for Young Men,

The Houston Academy for International Studies, and

The Houston Adventist Academy are encouraged to participate.

Any High School student attending a local Southwest Regional or Texas Conference church is eligible to submit an essay.

When: January 9th through February 20^th. Our Grand Prize and Honorable Mention honorees will be announced February 23rd.

Where: The winners of the contest will read their essay and receive their prize on

  Saturday, February 25^th at 3 pm at

Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church

2119 St. Emmanuel Houston, TX 77003

How: Essay may be single or double spaced and at least 300-400 words.

Grand Prize Winner will receive a 2 in 1 Laptop.

4 Honorable mention submissions will receive $50 Amazon Gift cards

Email all submissions to james.kelley@bereansdahouston.org

Subject line should include Student Name, Grade Level, School

All entries must be submitted by 5 pm on Monday, February 20th, 2023.

Scoring Rubric