MIAMI STUDENT WINS FIRST PLACE IN THE CBC SPOUSES NATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST SPONSORED BY THE SALLIE MAE FUND

(Washington, DC) Jaquanne Peterson, a junior at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School in North Miami Beach, won first place in a national essay contest sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses (CBC Spouses). Peterson and his family were flown to Washington D.C. where he was presented with a trophy and a check for $1500.00. The second and third place winners were Thais Francis and Kelly-Ann Kelly respectively, both of Maryland.

All three students and their families attended a special luncheon given in their honor. They also attended the Issue Forum titled, The Civil Rights Movement of the 40s, 50s, and 60s: Recognizing the Leadership of Today. “We are so proud of this young man for his thoughtful and well-crafted essay,” said CBC Spouses Chair, Leslie Meek (Miami). “Each year, we reach out to young people all over the country, and ask them to respond to an issue that is important to their personal and professional development. Jaquanne produced an excellent piece of work.” Meek is the spouse of Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) who serves as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

The Chair of the CBC Spouses Essay Contest and Issue Forum project is Simone-Marie Meeks, spouse of Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY). “It was a pleasure meeting our Essay Contest winners and their families,” she said. “We wanted to bring them to Washington, DC so they could sit and talk with the people who are here fighting for their rights every day. We also wanted to inspire them to become local and national leaders in their own right,” Meeks added.

Peterson says he was, indeed, inspired by the trip to Washington, and the people he met while there. “It was very exciting to actually shake hands with a Civil Rights giant like Congressman John Lewis,” he said.

“I am ready to go out and achieve great things in my life because I believe we all have a responsibility to make the world better for ourselves and our families,” he added. Conducted each year during the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference, the CBC Spouses focus their Essay Contest and Issue Forum on matters that weigh heavily on the lives of African Americans. Spouses choose subjects for their Issue Forum, such as Civil Rights, the American Criminal Justice System, the detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and others that are of great interest to their constituency. This forum also provides an opportunity for the essay contest winners to present their views and ideas to Congressional Members, business leaders, and leading policy makers.

The Sallie Mae Fund provided monetary support for the CBC Spouses Essay Contest and Issue, and Sallie Mae Fund President, Kathleen deLaski attended both events. As a special treat, The Rev. Al Sharpton who delivered the keynote address in the Opening Ceremonies of the Annual Legislative Conference, visited the young people during their awards ceremonies, congratulated them on their accomplishments, and blessed their food.

For decades, the organization’s presence has been felt in the halls and classrooms of institutions of higher learning all over America. In keeping with the mission of providing support for the next generation of leaders, the CBC Spouses have created a number of successful scholarship programs in the Districts of Members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Since the inception of these programs, the CBC Spouses have awarded more than $8 million dollars in scholarships to deserving students seeking baccalaureate and professional degrees.

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