Winning 5th Grade Writers "Celebrate America"

SAN ANTONIO – In the fall of 2007, the Immigration Law Firm of De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates announced local participation in “Celebrate America”, an annual writing contest for 5th graders sponsored by the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) as part of its continual ongoing efforts to educate the public about the benefits of immigration to our society.

Since the announcement of the 2007-2008 contest, nearly 100 entries – poems, essays, and short stories – have been received from area students, all writing on the topic “Why I Am Glad America Is A Nation Of Immigrants”. "This is our fifth year of facilitating this contest and we have had lots of interest this year in particular, not just from educators, but from the students themselves,” says Joseph B. De Mott, founding partner of the nearly 30-year-old immigration law firm and local coordinator for the national contest. “Perhaps it is because of all the recent discussions about immigration laws in our country that even kids at this age want to give their opinions too." Since his firm began facilitating the contest, De Mott has visited both public and private schools, such as Monroe May Elementary and Mount Sacred Heart, to speak to students and promote the contest.

According to Ms. Flores, a fifth grade teacher at Mount Sacred Heart, “it was clear that after Mr. De Mott came to visit our school to talk with the students about immigration, they were all motivated to learn more and ask questions in Social Studies class; this contest provided them an outlet to share their stories and speak their minds.”

Judges for the 2008 contest included De Mott and Hernán Rozemberg, Senior Writer/Immigration Affairs for the San Antonio Express-News. Emilio Navaira, award-winning Tejano artist and founder of the Tejanos For Children Foundation, had also volunteered to serve as a judge, before being critically injured in a tour bus accident on March 23. “When we heard about the accident, we were devastated,” says De Mott. “Emilio didn’t hesitate to step forward and support this contest from the beginning. We’re so fortunate to have him in our community, and our thoughts are with him and his family right now.” At the awards ceremony, De Mott and the winning students will sign a card to be delivered to Emilio along with their winning entries.

This year’s public school winners are:
1st place: Chazelle Rivera, John Glenn Elementary
2nd place: Gilbert Herrera, Olmos Elementary
3rd place: Jenevie A. Montez, Brewer Elementary

This year’s private school winners are:
1st place: Julia Toney, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
2nd place: Arycelis Cortez, St. Philip of Jesus
3rd place: Maddie Carrola, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

A formal presentation of this year’s local winners will be held in conjunction with the City of San Antonio’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, a festival that celebrates freedom and liberty. On Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Noon on the inside stage of the Farmer’s Market, the young authors will read their winning entries aloud; the first place winners will each receive a $100 cash prize and a replica of the Statue of Liberty, while the second place winners will receive $60, and the third place winners will receive $40. The event is free and open to all, and attendees are also encouraged to enjoy the city’s other Cinco de Mayo festivities.

After the awards ceremony, winning entries will be posted on the law firm’s website at www.demottusa.com.

BACKGROUND OF AILF
The American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of Immigration Law and policy and the value of immigration to American society; to promote public service and excellence in the practice of Immigration Law; and to advancing fundamental fairness and due process under the law of immigrants. For more information, please visit www.ailf.org.

BACKGROUND OF DE MOTT, McCHESNEY, CURTRIGHT & ASSOCIATES
The De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Associates Law Firm includes 8 San Antonio lawyers who practice Immigration Law exclusively. The founding partner, Joseph B. De Mott, has been practicing Immigration Law in San Antonio for 32 years, and has been certified as a specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1981. For more information, please visit www.demottusa.com or call 210.590.1844.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nikki Young, Publicity, PrimaDonna Productions
8603 Crownhill Blvd., Suite 30
San Antonio, TX 78209
Ph#: (210) 822-3552 * Fax: (210) 822-3488
nikki@primadonnaproductions.com

Background of PrimaDonna Productions
PrimaDonna Productions was formed almost a decade ago by Nikki Young and Chadd Green, both alumni of Southwest Texas State University. With rich backgrounds in the arts, Nikki and Chadd decided to help out local artists and theatres with their marketing and publicity. The firm’s services range from résumé designs for actors to entire marketing campaigns for playwrights. Other services include website design, logo creations, direct mailings, and more. Additionally, PrimaDonna Productions has also made a lasting impression with their film and video production work. For more information, please visit www.primadonnaproductions.com or call 210.822.3552.

This release was published on openPR.