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Awards Ceremony “Learn about America” Essay Competition.

Ambassador Patricia Butenis felicitates Young Writers from around the Country who receive Awards in the "Learn About America" Essay Competition

October19, 2009: The third batch of winners of the "Learn About America" Essay Competition held in the Junior Observer and conducted by the American Center received their awards, at the American Center auditorium The winners for May and June 2009 were awarded at this event. U. S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis graced the occasion and presented the awards to the winners. While addressing the gathering Ambassador praised the Junior Observer for its contribution in helping children to improve their literary skills. 

U. S. Ambassador Patricia Butenis presenting an award and a
certificate to F. Shukra Shazli of Muslim Ladies College, Colombo,
one of the winners of the “Learn About America” Essay Competition
Since January 2009 this essay competition has been published in the Junior Observer section of the Sunday Observer in order to encourage young Sri Lankan writers to research America, its culture, people and values and share their thoughts with the Embassy. The monthly essay topics are divided into three age categories: 12-14 years, 15-16 years and 17-18 years, and each age group is given a different topic related to the United States.
 
Winners of May:
L-R :  I. Marlon Rousseau Fernando, T. Nipuni Aloka Gunasekera,
I. Dulmini, G. W. Ishani Divajini Chandrasena, P. Gayani Kumari
Thilakarathne, M. N. F. Rikasa, and Devindi Gunaratne with Glen Davis,
Cultural Affairs Officer, U. S. Embassy, Colombo
The American Center receives hundreds of essays each month from students from all geographical areas in Sri Lanka and representing all ethnic groups. A panel of judges from the U. S. Embassy evaluates the essays and chooses the first three winners for each age group in each month based on their originality, creativity and quality of writing. 
Winners of June:
L-R:  Menushi Hasara Rajapakse,  D. L. Anuthrie Imendra Liyanage,
Mohamed Meerasahib Jumana Saja, F. Nazreena Niyas, L. P. Didula Ravinath
Rodrigo, Glen Davis, Cultural Affairs Officer, S. H. A. De Alwis,
A. L. Nimasha Shavini De Silva, F. Shukra Shazli, and U. Nithila Fernando
The winners, together with their parents, family members, some school principals, and Mr. Glen Davis, Cultural Affairs Officer were present at this event. Winners will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Junior Observer.