Creative NIU students were awarded Thursday for their abilities on how to unite a diverse culture.

The first-place winners of the Unity in Diversity speech, essay and poster contests won $100 at the awards ceremony in the Holmes Student Center’s Capitol Room. First-place winners of the essay and speech contests presented their works.

“I’m tired of all the things that alienate people from each other,” said Edgar Samson in his essay about a fight between a gang and a group of college students.

“I’m a unity between the races,” said Bridget Gray in her speech about life as a child of an interracial marriage.

The communication studies department judged the speech contest, while the essay contest was judged by the English department.

Rachel Lundstrom won first place in the poster contest judged by the art school.

Christy Nosek, Unity in Diversity student coordinator, said she is pleased how the year has gone. “We are fortunate to have had a great turnout at most of our programs,” Nosek said.

“We use posters and balloons because we see Unity in Diversity year as a celebration of diverse lifestyles and ethnicity,” said Willard Draper, Unity in Diversity committee co-chair.

Second and third place winners of the essay contest were Riffany Connors and Nadia Assaf. Tomiko Gay and Angela Locket were second and third place winners in the speech contest. Leo Castillo and Ken Fox took second and third place in the poster contest.