Human Relations Student Contest: Youth Voices for Justice

About the HRC Student Contest

The Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) offers students in Orange County, NC an opportunity to be involved in Human Relations. Students are asked to write an essay, compose a poem, create a video, or design art on a specific topic chosen by the HRC related to equality and social justice.

Who Can Enter (Eligibility)

The contest is open to all students in grades 6–12 who are residents of Orange County. Each entry must be an original work and be accompanied by an official student contest entry form.

2025 Theme & Prompt: Honoring Dr. Pauli Murray

The Orange County Human Relations Commission salutes Dr. Pauli Murray. As a human rights activist, Murray is recognized nationally as a champion for racial and gender equity. Please respond to this question for the 2025 Student Contest:

Analyze the below quote and discuss the relationship between true community and human relations. Provide examples from your own experiences or observations to support your work. If Pauli Murray were presenting today, what do you think her thoughts would be?

 "True community is based upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together." – Pauli Murray (2006), Pauli Murray Selected Sermons & Writings 

Awards & Recognition

The HRC will award a total of six prizes for the winning individuals in Middle School and High School:

  • First Prize: $300
  • Second Prize: $200
  • Third Prize: $100

Additionally, winners will be invited to present their work at the annual Pauli Murray Awards ceremony on May 18, 2025.

Winners must sign a release form granting the HRC permission to publish their photos and submissions on the Orange County website and/or in the local newspapers.

Deadlines & How to Submit

Mailed entries must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2025.
Electronic and hand-delivered entries must be received by April 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

To Mail Submission:
Orange County Office of Equity & Inclusion
1000 Corporate Drive, Ste. 400
Hillsborough, NC 27278

To Email Submission:
civilrights@orangecountync.gov
or call (919) 245-2594

Submission Guidelines

Essay Written Poem Visual or Literary Arts
Essay Length: High School student entries must be at least 750 words. Middle School entries must be a minimum of 500 words.

Format:
Essays must include a Title Page that includes the student’s name, school, and email address.
Use 12-point (Times New Roman or Arial), with one (1) inch margins.
All work must be original.
Assistance from others is allowed for spelling, grammar and style, but not for content.
 Format:
Essays must include a Title Page that includes the student’s name, school, and email address.
Use 12- point font (Times New Roman or Arial), with one (1) inch margins.
Assistance from others is allowed for spelling, grammar and style, but not for content.
Contest entries must be at least 3 but cannot exceed 26 lines (including stanza breaks) and cannot exceed 55 characters per line (including spaces between words). The poem title does not count as a line.

Additional Guidelines:
Only one submission per student.
Poet information must pass Google API and address verification.
Poetry can be written in any poetic style and on any subject.
A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person entering the contest.
Poems containing language that is vulgar, offensive, or wholly inappropriate will not be accepted.
 All dance and spoken word entries must be submitted in digital format. All artwork must be the original work of the student.

No copyrighted materials (music, images, etc.) may be used for this contest unless you own the copyright or have a license to use the material for this contest. Written permission must be obtained and provided upon request for all copyrighted materials.

No professional assistance is allowed. Adults may assist with production but are limited to verbal guidance only. Adults are allowed to be actors or camera persons but not content contributors.

The length of the video should not exceed 150 seconds (two and a half minutes), not including the 10 second title screen. All entries should begin with a 10 second full-screen “title screen” that includes the following information: Name, Title of Video, and Total Running Time.

 Click Here to Apply