April 4, 2003

Media Contact: Michael Dabney, (858) 822-3432

Karen Claros, an 11^th grade student at Mission Bay High School, has been named first-place winner of the 2003 Cesar E. Chavez  Essay Contest sponsored  jointly by the Early Academic Outreach Program at the University of California, San Diego, and the San Diego Cesar E. Chavez Commemoration Committee.

Claros, whose essay was selected over a significant number of other entries from high school students in San Diego and Imperial Counties, was awarded a $700 savings bond donated by UCSD, in addition to a computer donated by the Waitt Family Foundation.

UCSD joined with the San Diego Cesar E. Chavez Commemoration Committee in sponsoring the contest to honor the life and achievements of Cesar E.Chavez, widely known for his accomplishments as a labor and civil rights leader and his commitment to non-violence.  

The contest winner and runners up were announced May 28 at the Cesar E. Chavez Community Breakfast held at the San Diego Convention Center recognizing the Chavez state holiday.

Students in the contest composed their two-page typed essays on the following theme: Celebrate, Educate and Serve. Identify a situation in your own community that needs to be improved and, based on Cesar E. Chavez’s commitment to social justice and helping others, write an essay on how you would bring about this improvement.

UCSD and the Commemoration Committee also announced these winners and their prizes in the essay competition:

• Second place – Felicha T. Soriano, 12^th grader, Brawley Union High School; $550 savings bond from UCSD and a computer donated by the Waitt Family Foundation.
• Third place – Rodrigo Sanchez, 11^th grader, Eastlake High School; $500 savings bond from UCSD and a computer donated by the Waitt Family Foundation.
• Fourth place – Andrew Huynh, 12^th grader, Madison High School; $450 savings bond from UCSD.
• Fifth place – Hong Tran, 12^th grader, Mira Mesa High School, $425 savings bond from UCSD.
• Sixth place - $400 savings bond from UCSD.