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Deadline Approaching for MetLife Contest

J M Shenoy in New York

The third edition of MetLife Scholarship contest offers $ 50,000 in educational awards to 26 winners in an essay competition. November 16 is the deadline for an original essay in English on the subject, My Dream for the New Millennium.

"In the new millennium, knowledge and learning will continue to be the cornerstones for success," says Shailendra Ghorpade, MetLife marketing vice- president.

"MetLife is committed to making contributions toward higher learning and education through community-based programs," he adds.

"Families and the ties that keep them close are the business of MetLife," he continues.

"In particular, as a New York-based company since our founding over 130 years ago, we have been successful in helping new immigrants to be financially independent," he adds.

"We are convinced that the rich diversity that newcomers bring to this country has made the American culture a unique combination of what is best in nations all over the world," Ghorpade says.

"Besides offering the scholar awards, we hope and expect that MetLife Scholars will build ties of friendship and shared dreams among themselves and their communities."

Headquartered in New York City since 1868, MetLife is a leading provider of insurance and financial products and services to a broad spectrum of individual and group customers. With approximately $ 357.7 billion worth of assets, the firm provides individual insurance and investment products to approximately nine million households in the US, MetLife also serves over 33 million people by providing group insurance and investment products to corporations and other institutions.

"The MetLife Scholar Program was originally established to honor the 50th anniversary of the independence of India and Pakistan," said Tariq Khan, MetLife national director for South Asian marketing. "The program has gained more popularity than we ever expected."

Last year, Namrita Singh of Amherst, Massachusetts, won the grand prize of $ 10,000. After her came Rishi Vasudeva of Roswell, Georgia, Priyanka Verma McClean of Virginia, Omar Javery Duncan of South Carolina, each getting $ 4,000.

There were 18 other winners whose scholarships ranged from $ 1000 to $ 2,500.

The essays will be judged in two categories: grades 6 through 8 and grades 9 through 12. A winner of a first prize from grades 6 through 8 will be awarded $ 6,000 and a first prize winner from grades 9 through 12 will be awarded $ 10,000. For those who come in second, third and find honorable mention, the awards will range from $ 5,000 to $ 1,000.

Entries must be an original essay written in English and be no more than two 8.5 x 11 typewritten pages in length (double-spaced). Essays must be submitted with an official entry form. One entry per child. Essays and entry forms must be postmarked no later than November 16, 1999 (Eastern Daylight Time). Students from grades 6 through 12 enrolled in schools in the United States are eligible. Return the entry form with the essay attached to: The MetLife Scholar Program, One Madison Avenue, Area 5E, New York, NY 10010.

For complete details and an entry form call 1-888-MET-1947, extension 13, or visit the web site at www.metlife.com.

If you would like to post any information about forthcoming events or community happenings, please email the details to bettypais@aol.com

Information and photographs can also be mailed to Betty Pais at 87-52 108th Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond Hill, NY 11418-2229, USA.

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