The Sydney Prize is an honor that recognizes exceptional work in art, science and business. Winners receive a cash award as well as the opportunity to become more widely known; using it to motivate others or make a change within their community; it’s also an effective way of helping students realize their ambitions!
David Brooks of the New York Times gives out several Sidney Prizes each year for outstanding long-form magazine essays, designed to recognize pieces with narrative drive and social impact. These awards have special relevance in this age of zipperless journalism when long form writing can demonstrate craft. Brooks praises works that can stand alongside “Hilton Als from The New York Times, Ed Yong from The Atlantic, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others”.
This year’s winners represent an array of perspectives. One essay explores gender statistics in America while another looks into how an obscure law could help keep Americans safe. And finally, one examines why some college students seek “safe spaces”. All three finalists demonstrate skill and originality that have made Herald readers’ lives richer through this competition.
Twitter and short attention spans make it easy to miss an essay that takes time and care to craft, yet is compelling and thought-provoking. The Sydney Prize honors this value by encouraging undergraduates to write with greater knowledge and better comprehension as their aim.
This prize, presented annually to undergraduate student papers of excellence written during their freshman or sophomore years of undergraduate study, honors Sidney Hook who pioneered liberal arts education in Phi Beta Kappa and led its Triennial Council Meeting as its Chairperson. Winners are honored at this meeting.
The Essay Prize was established by SHOT through a bequest from Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Edelstein Barish’s estate and awarded annually to the author of a scholarly book published within three years on technology’s history, published during that timeframe. The winning author receives $3500 as well as a plaque; second-place recipients are entitled to $2,000 with a plaque; while third place receives $500. Submissions must include a letter from an advisor verifying that paper was written while undergrad student; submission deadline is set at end February. For more details please see essay prize submission portal