Posted by Jeff from d14-69-187-7.try.wideopenwest.com (69.14.7.187) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 at 10:35PM :
70TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
Hosted by the Midwest Region of Chicago, Illinois
9TH ANNUAL
ASSYRIAN YOUTH EXCELLENCE PAGEANT
APPLICATION PACKET
ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FEDERATION
70th National Convention - Rosemont, Illinois
Hosted by the Midwest Region
9th Annual Assyrian Youth Excellence Pageant
Dear Assyrians:
It is my great pleasure to inform you that we will be hosting the 70th National Convention to be held in
Rosemont, Illinois, during the Labor Day weekend, August 28, 2003 to September 1, 2003.
As part of the convention program the National Convention Committee is organizing the “Ninth Annual
Youth Excellence Pageant”, a program that promotes and rewards education, talent, knowledge of the
Assyrian language and history, and good character among our young Assyrians. The pageant is also
intended to instill the sense of Assyrianism in the hearts and minds of our youth.
This program will be carried in two stages:
1. A judging panel composed of representatives of the states where the contestants come from,
will select and nominate a maximum of three young men and women as the finalists.
2. In a special contest during the National Convention, the judging panel will select “Young
Assyrian of the Year” and two runner-ups and will present them with awards and prizes as
follows:
Winner $1,500.00
First Runner-up $1,000.00
Second Runner-up $500.00
The “Young Assyrian of the Year” will be invited as our guest of honor and acknowledged at the
convention banquet held on Sunday evening.
Enclosed are the criteria required to participate in the pageant, the application form, and other necessary
documents. If you are eligible to participate, we invite you to complete the Application Package and mail
(or submit) it to the address below by August 1, 2003. This contest is open to all young Assyrians. You
may also make copies of this package and provide it to those that we have not been able to reach.
Please mail application to:
Assyrian American National Federation
Attn: Denise Gewargis
Committee Chair
P.O. Box 59446
Chicago, Illinois 60659
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at (847) 910 - 2218 or send me an
email at pageant@aanf.org.
Sincerely,
Denise Gewargis
Chairperson
ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FEDERATION
70th National Convention - Rosemont, Illinois
Hosted by the Midwest Region
9th Annual Assyrian Youth Excellence Pageant
Objective
The goal of this program is to promote and reward education, talent, knowledge of the Assyrian
language and history, and good character among our young men and women.
Selection Criteria:
The following Criteria are required and must be met by all candidates:
1. Have at least one parent of Assyrian decent.
2. Must be between 18 - 24 years of age, attending college, or be a high school graduate.
3. Be in good standing in his/her respective educational field, with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
4. Be involved or interested in any of the following: Art, Literature, Science and Athletics.
5. Be able to speak the basic Assyrian Language. Reading and writing skills will be a plus.
6. Process basic knowledge of Assyrian History, Literature, Art, and understand the current status of
Assyrians around the world.
Contents of the Application package:
1. Completed and signed Application Form (Attached).
2. Copy of transcripts, indicating the most recent GPA.
3. Supplementary documents such as art works and copies of awards / papers if available.
4. Two or more character references from prominent members of the community such as high
school or college teachers, church ministers or association president.
5. A personal biography emphasizing achievements.
6. Copy of membership in youth organizations in an Assyrian association or Church, if available.
Requirements and Deadlines:
!"The application must be received by August 1, 2003 and mailed to:
Assyrian American National Federation
Attn: Denise Gewargis
Committee Chair
P.O. Box 59446
Chicago, Illinois 60659
!"The applicant must be at the convention site in Rosemont, Illinois by 7:00 P.M. on Thursday,
August 28, 2003 to participate in the first Phase of the contest.
Please note the following:
!"The contestant will be responsible for all his/her expenses, to participate in the event.
!"The National Convention Committee will provide the nominees with details on the time, location
and arrangement of the meetings.
!"The Assyrian Youth Excellence Pageant Convention Committee reserves the right to approve or
deny any application.
Should you have any questions please contact Denise Gewargis, (847) 910 - 2218 or via e-mail:
pageant@aanf.org. Please visit our website for updated information about the pageant and other
convention activities at www.aanf.org.
ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FEDERATION
70th National Convention - Rosemont, Illinois
Hosted by the Midwest Region
9th Annual Assyrian Youth Excellence Pageant
Allll applliicattiions mustt be receiived by Augustt 1,, 2003
Please mail application attention:
Assyrian American National Federation
Attn: Denise Gewargis
Committee Chair
P.O. Box 59446
Chicago, Illinois 60659
(Please print)
Name
Address
City State Zip Code
Phone ( ) - Birth date Age
Email address
Highest Education Graduation Date
GPA Honor (s)
Talent / Achievement (s)
Assyrian Language Skills: Reading Writing
Areas of Interest:
Other Remarks
Signature Date
ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FEDERATION
70th National Convention - Rosemont, Illinois
Hosted by the Midwest Region
9th Annual Assyrian Youth Excellence Pageant
References and Sample Questions for
General Knowledge on Assyrian History and Random Questions
The following references are readily available in all public libraries. Since the evaluation
questions will be based upon these references, we recommend that the candidates read this
material.
References
a. “Assyrians” Encyclopedia Americana (Latest Edition)
b. “Assyrians” Encyclopedia Britannica (Latest Edition)
c. Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups (Entry on the Assyrians)
d. New Testament (general knowledge)
Written Test Sample Questions
1. What is Ashurbanipal famous for?
2. The year of the fall of the Assyrian Empire?
3. What does Bet-Nahrain mean?
4. Assyrians and Babylonians are famous for some important inventions, which are the
foundation of modern science. Name three.
5. What is Gilgamish?
6. Jesus Christ was born in Israel. What language did he speak? Why?
7. What are the Assyrian Nestorians famous for?
8. Why is the period between 1914 - 1918 significant for the Assyrians?
9. Who wrote the New Testament?
10. Who was Agha Petros?
11. Who was Mar Benyamin Shimoon?
12. What are the colors and motifs on the Assyrian flag?
13. Name two Assyrian periodicals that are published in the USA.
14. Where do most Assyrians live today?
15. Assyrians commemorate the 7th of August every year. Why?
Random Question Samples (Each candidate will be given one randomly picked
question to answer orally).
1. In your opinion what must the Assyrians, living in the USA do to be united?
2. What is the value of a supportive and loving family?
3. Name one strength and one weakness of our people?
4. If you could live your life again, what would you do differently?
5. In your opinion, what unique or exceptional opportunities does the USA offer to Assyrians
that other countries do not?
-- Jeff
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