Albany-Tula Alliance Announces Student Essay Contest

High school students in the Capital Region will have an opportunity to win a trip to Russia for two weeks this summer through an essay contest sponsored by the Albany-Tula Alliance. Students aged 16 to 18 who wish to compete will be asked to write a 1,500 word essay identifying and discussing an issue that Presidents Medvedev and Obama can work on together that will improve the lives of both Russians and Americans in terms of knowledge, resources and trust. The two winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Albany’s sister city, Tula, Russia, which is south of Moscow. The deadline for submission is March 1 and the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in Albany in May hosted by the Albany-Tula Alliance.
The Alliance organized in 1991, established a sister-city relationship between Albany and Tula, Russia, to promote cultural understanding between these two communities. Since then, the sister cities have shared educational, governmental, business, medical and health related partnerships. The two award winners, plus two winners from Tula will serve as ambassadors to help build a foundation between young people of these cities. For essay guidelines and an application, please email Mary Emerson of the Albany-Tula Alliance at mame@nycap.rr.com.