Minority students will have the chance to put a tear in the eye and a framed essay in the hand of their special parent.

For the first time at NIU, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Black Interphi Council are sponsoring a “Minority Parent of the Year” essay contest.

“We hope this will bring a writing awareness on the part of minority students,” said Alfred Tatum, acting president of Alpha Phi Alpha and vice president of BIC. Any minority student who feels one of their parents deserves to be given the award is invited to participate, he said.

Participating students can submit an essay of any length on the signifigance their parents have made in their lives and/or how their parents have given them motivation to achieve their goals.

Introduced last year by Darnell Williams, former Alpha Phi Alpha President, the competition was established for Parent’s Weekend, but extended until the Black Choir Concert in November when first, second, and third prizes will be awarded. Winning essays will be framed and given to the parents.

Judges have not yet been chosen but probably will be teachers in the English department, Tatum said.

“We have not received any essays yet, but we have been contacted by a number of students,” he said.

Anyone interested in participating in the contest may contact Tatum at 753-4292 or an Alpha Phi Alpha member or the BIC.