they said I could be anything, so I decided to be coffinated  

The Reason

On October 12, 2021, four DHS seniors delivered a powerful message to the Board of Education and the community at large ( comments start around 9min mark).  Prior to this, a group of recent ABC alumni created an instagram recounting their experiences as students of color in various lower Fairfield County high schools.   Our young people have shown us what it means to be brave leaders on this journey toward a more inclusive community.  COFFI wants to encourage that in any way we can.  We are inspired by them, and we hope to inspire more teenagers to share their powerful perspectives. 

 

The Prompt

In 1,000 words or less, please describe what "inclusivity" means to you. Is Darien an inclusive place? In what ways yes, and in what ways no? 

 

The Prize 

1st place - $500

2nd place - $350

3rd place - $200 

 

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The Application 

To enter the contest you must send BOTH your completed essay as well as a signed application form to coffi.org@gmail.com by _____. 

 

The Rules 

1. You must currently be a high school student residing in Darien to be eligible to win the contest.  You do not need to be enrolled at DHS , just a high-school aged student from Darien. We invite anyone who is moved by the prompt to submit an essay; however, due to the fact that the contest is put on in partnership with the Town of Darien, non-local submissions will not be eligible to win the prizes. 

2. Your submission will not be judged or considered complete unless both the signed application form and essay are provided. 

3. Your submission must be entirely your own work.  The maximum word count is 1,000.  There is no minimum. 

4. By submitting your essay, you consent to the use of your work, in its entirety or in excerpt, in the promotional materials of COFFI, including but not limited to publication on our website and/or social media pages.