The Center for Black Studies has found a unique way to get the DeKalb community involved in the celebration of Black History Month.

The center sponsored an essay writing contest open to middle and high school students in surrounding cities.

Joan Biebel, secretary for the Center for Black Studies, said another reason for the contest was to get the kids involved by giving them the opportunity to write and research with the incentive of a potential award.

“We’re killing two birds with one stone,” she said. “It gives kids the opportunity to read, write and research while exposing them to multiculturalism.”

This year marked the fourth year this type of contest was held. There were over 80 essays turned in from middle and high schools from areas throughout Illinois.

“Last year, our theme was great African-American inventors,” Biebel said. “This year’s theme was ‘What Would you tell the Children Who are Black: Setting an Agenda for Success in This Global Society.'”

Biebel said participants were to write about what they would tell African-American children they need to know to succeed.

Each year prizes are awarded to the writers of the top three essays. This year the awards were a $400 savings bond for first place, a $200 saving bond for second place and a $100 savings bond for third place.

This year’s winner is Priscilla Zitha, an 8th grader from St. Mary’s school in DeKalb. Biebel said Zitha is originally from Swasiland, South Africa and that her parents sent her here to get a good education.

The second place essay was written by Trista Westmorland from Savanna High School.

Laura Grenholm of Evanston Township wrote the third place essay.