Following up on the resounding success of last year’s inaugural competition, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), a worldwide organization of dedicated professionals striving to make our planet a safer and healthier place in which to live, will again sponsor an essay competition awarding scholarships to five young people affiliated with IAPMO and many of its industry partners.
Participants in this year’s contest will submit essays expressing their thoughts on “Why Should Access to Safe, Clean Drinking Water Be a Basic Human Right?” As IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code® serves as the basis of codes that protect one half of the world’s population through safe installation and governance of plumbing systems around the globe, the topic chosen by the IAPMO Board of Directors succinctly reflects IAPMO’s 84-year-old mission.
“There is no more obvious or pressing need to humankind than that of potable water free of unhealthy contaminants and sickness-inducing pathogens,” said Dan Daniels, president of IAPMO. “While this need is clear, the question of what constitutes a human right seemed like fertile ground in which bright young minds could explore an issue that is integral to IAPMO and our industry.”
The competition is open to members — and their children — of IAPMO, ASPE, PHCC, MCAA, the UA and ASSE who are currently enrolled in a high school, community college, trade school, four-year accredited college or university or working in an apprentice program.
Submitted essays must be completely original and a minimum of 1,000 words. The essay entry deadline is June 1, 2011, via e-mail, fax or mail to IAPMO World Headquarters. The winning essay will be announced next September at the 2011 IAPMO Education and Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The essay awarded first prize will be published in the award-winning Official magazine and on the IAPMO Website and its author will receive a $500 scholarship and a one-year paid membership to IAPMO. Second place winner will receive a $250 scholarship and three third place winners will each receive a $100 scholarship. All winning essays will also be published in Official, IAPMO’s membership magazine, and on the IAPMO Website.
Individuals who meet the qualifications to submit an essay to the competition should include your name, your school’s name and yours or your parent’s professional affiliation with one of the qualifying trade associations or union locals. All essays should be sent to Ms. Gabriella Davis at IAPMO by e-mail at gaby.davis@iapmo.org; by fax at (909) 472-4222; or by standard mail to her attention at IAPMO, 4755 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761.
Last modified: November 29, 2010