SAN ANTONIO, TX, April 10, 2010
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Since the 2003-2004 school year, the Immigration Law firm of De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendáriz has participated in "Celebrate America", an annual writing contest for 5th graders sponsored by the American Immigration Council. Now, the close of the 2009-2010 school year brings exciting firsts for the contests.
For the first time since the firm began participating, a home-schooled student has been chosen as one of the winners in the writing contest. Abigail Genevieve Dickson placed 3rd in the private school category for her essay on the contest's topic, "Why I Am Glad America Is A Nation Of Immigrants". Dickson joins two students from Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (home to all three private school winners in 2009's contest), Patrick Alois Monestier (1st place) and Dylan Cortez (2nd place).
In the public school category, winning students are representing De Zavala Elementary and the Alamo Heights Independent School District for the first time. Hannah Mann, from Woodridge Elementary in Alamo Heights, placed 1st in the category, and Jose Roman O. Ramirez, from De Zavala Elementary, placed 3rd. Leticia Medina, from Agnes Cotton Elementary (home to 2009's three public school winners), placed 2nd.
"One of the most important themes of this contest is that immigration has a positive impact on all areas of society," says Joseph B. De Mott, founding partner of the nearly 30-year-old immigration law firm and local coordinator for the national contest. "To have students participating from all areas of society is essential. We've visited schools across the city to spread the word and encourage them to get involved, so I'm thrilled to see home-schooled students and students from Alamo Heights and De Zavala represented among the winners this year. It shows the broad reach of this issue, and the impact it has on students." The contest's impact has reached beyond students; teachers and administrators at De Zavala Elementary were so impressed with De Mott's initial appearance that the school invited him to return to speak to parents about immigration issues.
2010's judges included Martha Tijerina, Volunteer Host and Producer of Catholic Television of San Antonio (CTSA); a new judge, she joined returning judges Tino Duran, Publisher & Owner of La Prensa and Director of La Prensa Foundation, Inc.; and U.S. Representative Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), who served once again as an honorary judge.
For the second consecutive year, the annual presentation of the contest's local winners will be held at a naturalization ceremony presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge John W. Primomo, of the Western District of Texas. The ceremony, where Tijerina and Duran will join the winning students as they read their entries before an audience of new citizens, will take place at 2PM on Thursday, May 20, at Laurie Auditorium (715 Stadium Drive, on the campus of Trinity University). As De Mott remembers, "Judge Primomo first invited the students to attend the naturalization ceremony in 2008, and it was a great experience for everyone involved. To have the awards presentation as part of the naturalization ceremony is a great fit, and a wonderful learning experience." After the awards ceremony, winning entries will be posted on the law firm's website at http://www.demottusa.com.
Background of the American Immigration Council
The American Immigration Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of Immigration Law and policy and the value of immigration to American society; to promote public service and excellence in the practice of Immigration Law; and to advancing fundamental fairness and due process under the law of immigrants. For more information, please visit http://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org.
Background of De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendáriz
Established 30 years ago, the De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendáriz Law Firm includes 10 San Antonio lawyers whose practice is focused on Immigration Law. The founding partner, Joseph B. De Mott, has been practicing Immigration Law in San Antonio for 34 years, and has been certified as a specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1981. For more information, please visit http://www.demottusa.com.
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