Finalists to Participate in National Geographic’s Photo Camp on Cape Eleuthera

The United States Embassy in partnership with the Bahamas National Drug Council (BNDC) is pleased to announce the launch of the first “Youth Express” Essay, Rap and Poetry Competition. The purpose of the contest is to encourage students throughout The Bahamas to consider the harmful impact of illegal drugs and to reflect on how they can resist negative peer pressure and act as leaders against drugs in their community.  This exciting program is part of a continuing partnership between the US Embassy, the Bahamas National Drug Council and the National Anti-Drug Secretariat to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and foster the development of young leaders in The Bahamas. 

Students throughout The Bahamas ages 12-14 are encouraged to participate in the contest by submitting their creative work by March 1. 

·   Essays should be 300-500 words, typed, doubled spaced and in 14 font;

·   Raps and spoken word poetry performances should last 2-4 minutes;

·   Rap and spoken word poetry submissions must include typed lyrics and a video of the performance submitted on DVD, as a MP3 file or a link to a YouTube page

Submissions will be judged on several criteria including the strength of the narrative, creativity, technical execution, and applicability to the theme.  Selected finalists will participate in a National Summer Youth Leadership Camp and will be given a unique opportunity to attend National Geographic’s Photo Camp scheduled for this fall at the Island School in Cape Eleuthera.   Top finalists will also receive digital cameras and be featured in The Government of The Bahamas’ National Drug Demand Reduction Campaign – “Drugs and Crime are a Waste of Time.” 

Submission Deadline is March 1.  Students should submit their essay, rap, or spoken work poetry via email to YouthExpress2012@BahamasNDC. org  Entries can be sent by mail to BNDC addressed  to Dr. Bridgette Rolle, Administrator, The Bahamas National Drug Council, Royal Victoria Gardens, P.O. Box N-9248.

Although DVDs and MP3s will be accepted, YouTube is the preferred method for submitting video performances.  You Tube submissions should include the full name of the competition in the title of the video - “Bahamian Youth Expression Against Drugs Competition.”  A link to the YouTube video should also be included in the application .

For additional details on the 2012 Youth Expression Against Drugs Competition, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website, http://nassau.usembassy.gov, Bahamas National Drug Council’s website http://www.BahamasNDC.org, the BNDC’s Facebook page, or call (242) 325-4633 or 4634.