U.S. Ambassador Don Yamamoto Awards Prizes to Winners of Black History Month Essay Contest

March 10, 2007
No. 16/07

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- Black History (or African-American History) is celebrated in educational institutions in the US and at US embassies and consulates abroad during the month of February. The event serves to remind us of the contributions of African-Americans to many aspects of American life, culture and history. Black History Month was started as Black History Week in 1926 by an African-American, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was disturbed by fact that history books in the US largely ignored the black American population.  He took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation’s history.  He chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.  Later the “week” became a month, and is celebrated in the month of February. 

To commemorate Black history Month in Addis Ababa this year, the US Embassy invited eleventh and twelfth grade students from four schools from Addis Ababa and one school in Mekki to participate in an essay contest on “An African-American Whom I Admire” in the month of February. 

On Saturday, March 10, at a ceremony held at the Ambassador’s Residence, U.S. Ambassador Don Yamamoto awarded prizes to the winners of the essay contest. The five schools that participated were: Bethel Mekhane Yesus, Don Bosco Catholic School, Mekki Catholic School, Awalia Muslim Missionary School and The Study Center (ACCESS Micro-scholarship Program). 

As part of the event, drama students from the International Community School under the direction of teacher Joanne King prepared dramatic entertainment in the form of a poem set to music by Habte Seyoum, and a presentation entitled “Langston Hughes, Poet of the People.”

The winners of the essay contest are:    

1. Anene Negeri (Bethel Mekane Yesus School) – 1st Place
2. Yomiyu Melaku (Bethel Mekane Yesus School) - 2nd Place
3. Hilina Getachew (Bethel Mekane Yesus School) - 3rd Place
4. Rahel Tadele (Bethel Mekane Yesus School) - 4th Place
5. Kalkidan Kassaye (Bethel Mekane Yesus School) – Most creative work
6. Alemtsehai Kefene (Don Bosco Catholic School) – Inspiring thoughts winner
7. Neda Hussen – winner from Study Center category