The Princeton Prize in Race Relations
There is perhaps no greater challenge facing our country than increasing understanding and cooperation among people of different racial backgrounds. Princeton believes that the younger generation have a particularly important role to play, and seeks, through the Princeton Prize, to honor and encourage young people who are improving racial harmony in their schools and communities. This program is sponsored by the University and undertaken by alumni in 23 cities nationwide.
Each year in Boston, our committee of local alumni awards one $1000 first prize and several certificates of accomplishment to a competitive pool of high school age students. We need volunteers for the following tasks:
Please contact any of the chairs below if you are interested in volunteering:
Cathy Lin Snyder '95: csnyder@wsnyder.org, 978-562-3946
Murph Shapiro '64: murshap@comcast.net, 617-926-2115
Fred Dashiell '76: dashlawPC@aol.com, 617-590-5780
The Boston Princeton Prize Committee is chaired by Fred Dashiell '76, Cathy Lin Synder'95, and Murph Shapiro '64. An awards program sponsored by Princeton University and principally undertaken by its alumni, the Princeton Prize in Race Relations honors high school age students who have done notable work in advancing the cause of race relations. The mission of the Princeton Prize is: "To promote harmony, respect, and understanding among people of different races by identifying and recognizing high school age students whose efforts have had a significant, positive effect on race relations in their schools or communities." By recognizing, rewarding, and reinforcing the good work of students who are making a difference, the Princeton Prize hopes to promote better race relations now and to provide an impetus for other young people to work towards racial understanding in the future.
The prize this past year was presented at the PANE Annual Meeting on May 17.
Applicants are eligible for a cash award of $1000. In addition, other worthy applicants are honored with "Certificates of Accomplishment." All honorees are recognized at their schools' awards assemblies and at area-wide recognition events. Some examples of award-winning student projects are founding a 500-member youth organization to reduce gang activity; forming a diversity campaign during the 2004 presidential campaign to stress community rather than division; leading a tour through an inner-city neighborhood for suburban classmates; and making a documentary of interviews about personal views on race.
The Princeton Prize was initiated in the 2003/04 academic year, with pilot programs in the Boston and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. In the 2004/05 academic year, the program was expanded to include Atlanta, Houston, and St. Louis. In the 2005/06 academic year, five more areas were added &em; Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Plans are well underway to add 10 additional cities &em; for a total of 20 &em; in the 2006/07 academic year. It is hoped that the Princeton Prize will ultimately evolve into a nationally recognized awards program to which any high school age student in the country can apply.
The success of the pilot program lies in its ability to successfully communicate the Princeton Prize to school administrators, community leaders, and students. Any assistance in publicizing the prize and soliciting student applications is welcome.
For additional information, please visit the Princeton Prize website :
http://www.princeton.edu/PrincetonPrize
If you have questions about the program, or would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact Fred, Cathy, or Julia:
High school faculty and administrators interested in more information about the program, as well as alumni looking to get involved with the program, are invited to contact Julia at julia.shivers@gmail.com.
Community and religious leaders interested in more information about the program are invited to contact Fred at dashlawPC@aol.com.
High school students interested in applying to the program are invited to contact Cathy at catharinelin@hotmail.com.