GYAN announces winners of 4th annual essay contest
Global Voices - Southeast Asia
GYAN, in collaboration with MSU's Asian Studies Center, received more than 200 essays written by youth ages 15-24 from Southeast Asian countries! Contestants submitted essays on the topic of Confronting Inequity, with a special focus on one of the following sub-themes: Education; Environment; Gender; Health; Race or Ethnicity; or a topic of their choosing. The inspiring initiatives these young people are working on range from publishing stories of revolution to educational support for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judges from GYAN, Asian Studies Center, MSU Libraries, the School of Criminal Justice, and the department of Human Development and Family Studies determined the contest winners, who received the following prizes:
Congratulations to our winners (listed below), and thank you to all contest participants!
2nd Place
Neo Elrond Valente Cabrera
Philippines
In addition to our winners, the following contestants received an honorable mention from our judges:
On a scale from 1-5, our student, faculty, and staff judging panel rated essays on the following criteria:
Originality
Essay shows a great deal of independent insight and originality. It gives a sense of the person behind the words. Creative, honest, and thought provoking.
Innovative Solutions
Writer identifies a known or unarticulated need and presents a new or more effective way of delivering a desired outcome. The solution includes awareness about key stakeholders that are needed to realize the vision and articulates a thoughtful strategy on how to engage them.
Demonstrates Passion
The writer's voice sounds confident and enthusiastic. Strong expression and vision for initiative.
Critical Thought
The presence of ideas developed through facts, examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, statistics, reasons, and/or explanations.
Organization/Use of Language
Essay is artfully structured, moving the reader smoothly and naturally though the text. Free of spelling and punctuation errors. Grammar usage is controlled.
Appropriateness to the Theme
Writer takes a clear position on a sub-theme and supports it consistently with well-chosen reasons/examples.
Cohort 3: Announcement
Announcement: 2025 Global Voices Essay Contest-Michigan
Attached to the Soil
Submission Page
