Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Call for Volunteers
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations, an awards program for high school students who are doing exceptional work in their schools or communities to advance the cause of race relations, is planning an expansion to the Philadelphia Area. Sponsored by Princeton University and supported by its alumni, the Princeton Prize seeks to identify and recognize high school age students who have done notable work in advancing the cause of race relations. We hope that the Princeton Prize will evolve ultimately into an important, nationally recognized awards program, a community service effort that the entire University will embrace.
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."
In America's long history, nothing has scarred our nation as much as racial conflict. Despite the best efforts and intentions of many people over many years, race relations continues to be the most contentious issue facing this country. Continual education is needed in order to resolve racial tension and misunderstanding. Where better to start than with young people, recognizing and rewarding those who are already making a difference. By reinforcing the good work of these students, the Princeton Prize hopes to promote better race relations now and to encourage others to work for racial understanding in the years to come.
Beginning in the 2003/04 academic year, the Princeton Prize Committee, along with alumni groups in Washington, D.C. and Boston, implemented two pilot projects. In late September application forms, brochures, and posters were sent to some 500 schools, community groups, and religious organizations in both the Boston and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. The projects were quite successful. St.Louis, Houston and Atlanta will join the ranks in 2004/5 academic year. Judging from the enthusiastic support of alumni in these localities. We look forward to equally successful rollouts.
The Princeton Club of Philadelphia has embraced this effort, and is working towards launching this in 2005. Dora Lee '76 is in the process of organizing a committee. To this end, she is looking for volunteers who would be able to help in developing lists of contacts and then reaching out to these organizations in the beginning. This will be followed by vetting and reading applications and finally making the selection for winners of the prize. If you are interested in this exciting project, please contact Dora at dylee@alumni.princeton.edu
For more information on the Princeton Prize on Race Relations: please click on the following link: