Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS Keryn Miles, Communications Specialist keryn.miles@fortbendisd.com    281.634.1100

**  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  **

Elkins High School to Present Sixth Annual Global Tapestry Diversity Conference - A Journey into Multiculturalism

FORT BEND ISD ― Elkins High School’s Diversity Team and TEAR (Teens Educated Against Racism) will host the sixth annual Global Tapestry Diversity Conference – A Journey into Multiculturalism on Thursday, February 18, 2010. This event will be held in the Elkins library from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and will involve approximately 200 students from 10 Fort Bend ISD high schools taking part in workshops to promote diversity.

One of the highlights of the diversity conference this year, will be the presentation of the $1,000 Walter Kase Pledge of Respect Scholarship to a deserving student. The scholarship is named after Holocaust survivor and historian, Walter Kase. Jacqueline Bickerstaff, Elkins Diversity Chairperson and TEAR sponsor, created the scholarship to recognize a student who has shown exceptional effort to embrace respect and diversity. The recipient of the scholarship must also: (1) focus on ways to challenge bigotry through participation in “No Place for Hate” activities that endorse the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) programs; (2) be instrumental in creating an atmosphere of inclusion on the Elkins campus; and (3) demonstrate respect for individual differences while challenging bigotry and prejudice. The scholarship will be paid directly to the winner’s chosen college or university upon admission.

Walter Kase will also be present at the conference to deliver the keynote address (beginning at 10:15 a.m.) to students and other program participants. The scholarship presentation will immediately follow his address. For more information about the Global Tapestry Diversity Conference, please contact Jackie Bickerstaff at jackie.bickerstaff@fortbend.k12.tx.

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