Contests & Awards
Every year, FSYF organizes several contests for Foreign Service youth of all ages. Internationally mobile kids and teens—otherwise known as Global Nomads or Third Culture Kids—have a unique perspective on the world around them. The contests offer Foreign Service youth an opportunity to share their talents and express themselves as artists, writers, videographers, and global citizens. A panel of judges representing FSYF, the Family Liaison Office (FLO), AAFSW, and AFSA selects the winners, and corporate sponsors provide the prize money.
Art Contest
The annual FSYF Art Contest challenges U.S. Foreign Service
youth to create art in any flat medium based on a given
theme. The 2010 theme Is “On The Move.” Three winning
artists in each of three age categories (5-8, 9-12 and
13-18) will receive generous cash prizes made possible by
the State
Department Federal Credit Union. All nine winners will
be invited to the Youth Awards Ceremony at the Department of
State in Washington, DC in July 2010.
Click here for contest rules and entry forms. All
entries must be received by April 15, 2010.
To see the 2009 winning artwork on YouTube, click here. To read about the 2009 Art Contest winners, click here.
The annual FSYF Essay Contest challenges U.S. Foreign Service youth to answer a topic question in 1,000 words or fewer. The 2010 topic question is, "Identify an issue that you would like to learn more about as a member of a U.S. Foreign Service family currently living in NAME OF COUNTRY (the USA qualifies too). Explain why this issue is important to you, how you will learn more about it, and what you will do with the information. Consider how your Foreign Service lifestyle has stimulated your interest in this issue and your ability to understand it."
Entries must be received by April 15, 2010. Four winners (two each in middle and high school) will receive generous cash prizes made possible by McGrath Real Estate and will be honored at the 2010 Youth Awards Ceremony at the Department of State. Click here for complete contest rules and entry forms.
To read the 2009 winning essays, click here. To read about the 2009 Essay Contest winners, click here.
The annual FSYF/FSI Transition Center-Overseas Briefing Center KidVid Contest challenges U.S. Foreign Service youth ages 10-18 to produce a DVD about life at an overseas post from a kid’s perspective. Entries for the 2010 contest are due by April 15, 2010. Winners will receive cash prizes made possible by Diplomatic Automobile Sales and will be honored at the 2010 Youth Awards Ceremony at the Department of State. Click here for complete contest rules.
The winning videos and all other entries from prior years are available for viewing at the FSI Transition Center-Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) in Arlington, Virginia.
The annual FSYF Community Service Contest recognizes U.S. Foreign Service youth who demonstrate outstanding volunteer efforts in service to their community or to their peers. In 2010, two winners will each receive $1,500 U.S. Government savings bonds made possible by Clements Insurance and will be honored at the 2010 Youth Awards Ceremony at the Department of State. Nominations must be received by April 15, 2010. Click here for more information and nomination forms.
To read about the 2009 Community Service Contest winners, click here.
Eligibility
All FSYF contests are open to children of U.S. Foreign
Affairs agency officials who are eligible for overseas
assignment and who report to the Chief of Mission when at
post. The contests are closed to the general public and to
children of Foreign Service Nationals. The KidVid Contest is
restricted to U.S. Foreign Service youth at overseas posts.
The Art, Essay and Community Service Contests are open to
U.S. Foreign Service youth living in the United States and
overseas.
Youth Awards Ceremony
Every July, the Family Liaison Office (FLO) sponsors a Youth
Awards Ceremony at the Department of State in Washington,
DC. The purpose of the ceremony is to honor contest winners
as well as the children of officers serving unaccompanied
overseas tours. The formal, invitation-only event often
takes place in the Benjamin Franklin room on the 8th floor
and may be attended by the Secretary of State or other
high-ranking official. To see pictures of the 2009
Youth Awards Ceremony on YouTube,
click here.
