Students win $1,500 in Conyers Black History Month contest
Two students won $1,500 in prize money for their essays on notable Black people throughout Bermuda’s history.
Amaris Munya, a Year 8 Warwick Academy pupil, received $1,000 after she came first in Conyers’ Black History Month Essay Competition.
Jordan Smith, a Year 9 pupil from Mount Saint Agnes Academy, was the runner-up and received $500.
Chiara Nannini, one of the judges, said: “Congratulations to Amaris and Jordan on their insightful essays.
“We were very pleased to receive several thoughtful submissions from students exploring the theme of honouring Black history.”
Amaris’s essay explored the history of slavery and racism in Bermuda, as well as how there was still work needed to improve racial justice despite previous strides towards equality.
Jordan highlighted the work of Richard Saunders, a Black Bermudian photographer who became a globe-trotting photojournalist and even won an award for Black photographers in 1982.
Ms Nannini said that Conyers’ essay competition, which is in its second year, saw subjects covered ranging from institutionalised racism and lessons learnt from the history of Bermuda’s civil rights movement.
She added that many also touched on the contributions of trailblazing Black Bermudians.
Ms Nannini said: “The essays considered structural inequities, the applications of lessons from the past to present and the accomplishments of individual Black Bermudians chosen by the entrants.
“This was the second year that Conyers has held this competition, and we were once again inspired by the young people who submitted their thoughts on this important subject.
“We are already looking forward to reading next year’s entries.”
• To read Amaris and Jordan’s essays, click on the PDFs under “Related Media”
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