NFHS supports HazingPrevention.org and National Hazing Prevention Week

The NFHS has supported the work of HazingPrevention.org (HPO) for the past three years. But this year, the organization is taking a leadership role in helping HPO bring hazing prevention to the high school audience.

The NFHS is a general sponsor of HPO but more specifically, is the sponsor of the National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW) High School Essay Contest. In the past, the contest has been open to high school and college students. Beginning this year, the contest will be exclusive to high school students and will feature more and larger awards for contest winners.

“Our goal is to attract more high school students who submit essays for the contest,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services. “By enabling HazingPrevention.org to present larger and a greater number of awards, we will attract more students. And that means we are encouraging more students to think about hazing prevention, to learn more about it and to perhaps begin to turn the tide on the issue.”

Entrants in the 2013 NHPW High School Essay Contest will submit 500-word essays relevant to the theme, “Challenge Hazing. Challenge Yourself.” Students will be asked to write about ways they welcome new members to their group, team or organization, then how that combats hazing and challenges them on a personal level. Cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150 will be awarded for the top three essays nationwide. One honorable mention will be awarded for each of the NFHS eight regional sections with each of those winners receiving a $50 gift card.

The NFHS partnership doesn’t just bring more prizes to the table. The relationship will provide HPO with the ability to promote the contest directly to high school students, teachers, coaches, counselors and administrators. In addition, the NFHS Citizenship and Equity Committee will assist HPO’s Contests and Awards Committee with judging the hundreds of essays submitted for the contest.

“Our partnership with the NFHS is so much more than providing funds we need to fulfill our mission to empower people to prevent hazing,” Charles Hall, HPO executive director, said. “It’s giving us a path to work with an adolescent audience and the adults who influence them every single day. The value of that is priceless,” he said.

Guidelines for the NHPW High School Essay Contest are available at NationalHazingPreventionWeek.com/contests. Deadline for the contest is midnight, Nov. 1, 2013.

National Hazing Prevention Weeks is observed during the last full week in September each year. It provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, campuses and communities to raise awareness about hazing and to promote hazing prevention.

For more information about HPO, visit HazingPrevention.Org.