Winner of the "Keep yourself off the Stop List" contest

    THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
                                                                                                                  
For Release:  July 9, 2007

The winners of the American Consulate’s “Keep Yourself off the Stop List” competition were announced at the American Society/American Consulate’s Independence Day Celebration on June 30.

Winning the slogan contest was fourteen-year old William Broughton of Somersfield Academy.  His slogan – “Be Cool. Don’t be a fool. Stay off the stop list.” – was set on a field of red and blue stars and stripes.

Mica Murray, 16, from Berkeley Institute won the art contest.  Her design featured arms, fists clenched, draped in chains and superimposed on a map and flag of Bermuda.  Her caption reminded the audience - “Don’t get chained to the ROCK, stay off the stop list.”

Consul General Gregory Slayton and Bermuda football star Shaun Goater awarded framed certificates and prizes to the winners, including first-place prizes donated by JetBlue.  Mr. Slayton explained, “This competition was designed to make young people think about the life-long consequences of illegal behavior.  The United States is Bermuda’s closest neighbor, and it’s unfortunate when a young person is denied access because he has a record. Hopefully, this contest will change some lives.” 

The first place entries were made into banners that will be used as the Consulate and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection continue to take the message about keeping themselves off the stop list to local school children.

Runners-up for the art contest were Clintel Jones and Natalie Stapff, also from Berkeley Institute.  Matthew Sinclair and Rowan Border, from Mount St. Agnes and Saltus respectively, were the slogan runners-up.