Somersfield Academy Student Wins Top Prize in US Consulate Contest
September 06, 2007 –- 'Be cool. Don't be a fool. Follow the rules. Stay off the stop list.'
This is the winning message from 14-year-old William Broughton to persuade other teenagers to keep out of trouble.
William, who attends Somersfield Academy, was the winner of the American Consulate General's competition to design a slogan as part of its 'Keep Yourself Off the Stop List' campaign.
Mica Murray, 16, of Berkeley Institute, won the art section of the contest with her striking picture of hands chained to a map of Bermuda.
With the caption 'Don't get chained to the Rock, stay off the stop list', Mica, of Pembroke, said: "My concept was if you get chained to the Rock you can't go anywhere and can't broaden your horizons."
William, of Devonshire, who set his slogan to a background of stars and stripes, added: "Travelling to the US is a way to get a further education and to do what you really want to do."
The two teenagers will now jet off to the US, after winning return flights for two to Washington D.C. and New York on JetBlue. Runners-up in the competition will also receive prizes - footballs signed by Shaun Goater.
William and Mica's winning designs will be reproduced on posters in middle and high schools across the Island.
The contest was designed to encourage secondary school students to think what it would mean to be stopped at the airport by US Customs and Border Protection officers, and denied entry to the US because they were on the stop list.
Consul Margaret Pride said: "Often, engaging a peer network is the best way to communicate with young people. That is why we have used several methods to get the message across, including having football idol Shaun 'The Goat' Goater serve as a spokesman for the campaign.
"These posters are the next step in our awareness campaign. The Consulate plans to blanket the Island with these posters - in schools and other areas where young people congregate."
Mrs. Pride added: "We want to get the message across to young people that illegal behaviour will have consequences for life."
US Consul General Gregory Slayton said: "The contest went fabulously. We had some great ideas.
"These posters are wonderful examples of Bermudian sloganeering. There was a lot of great talent that came out.
"I am hoping more young Bermudians will stay out of trouble with the law and can visit our country, because we love it when our Bermudian friends come to visit."
He said: "It is up to you to keep yourself off the stop list, there's no one else responsible. Only you can put yourself on the stop list by getting into trouble."
The US stop list applies to anyone with a criminal record or history of an overstay. Those on the list must apply for a waiver in order to gain entry to the country.
Mr. Slayton said waiting times for a waiver were now down from 12 months to just over two.
He said: "If you've made a mistake in your youth, the right thing to do now is to come and get a waiver before you want to take your children to Disney World. The large majority of time the answer will be positive."