All Set For Rita Marley Foundation Essay Competition

"Children, get your culture, and don't stay there and gesture or the battle will be hotter and you won't get no supper. Wake up and live!"

Emphatic messages from Robert Nesta Marley in his songs, Natty Dread and Wake Up and Live. Both entwined to create the topic for the third annual Rita Marley Foundation (JA) Essay Competition.

The event, open to high schools, encourages students to write riveting and interesting 1,000 word pieces.

Schools will appoint a teacher(s) to select and submit the best-written essays to the Rita Marley Foundation (JA), no later than June 1, 2016.

A distinguished panel of judges comprising educators and writers, will assess entries and determine the top three winners. Their names will be revealed on July 1, International Reggae Day.

Dr Rita Marley, president of the foundation, shared that she is "extremely impressed with the calibre compositions the youth pen", as each year, the number of entrants increase and quality of essays improve.

Director at Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) Foundation, Ms Lisa D'Oyen, said it is a joy to again work in partnership with the Rita Marley Foundation on a project to benefit the youth. In February, HIC Foundation was the main sponsor of the highly successful Rita Marley Foundation (JA) Public Speaking Competition.