Englewood Historical Society sponsors essay contest

Historical Society to Offer Cash Prizes

Norman Davis, President of the Englewood Historical Society (EHS), has announced a new EHS program to offer cash prizes to students in the Englewood Public Schools for essays on local history subjects.

The essay subject for the first year will be as follows: The following persons have Englewood schools or other facilities named for them: Janis Dismus, John Grieco, Russell Major, Leroy McCloud, Dwight Morrow, Donald Quarles, Winton White. Select one or more of these people and write an essay explaining who each person was and why the Board of Education may have chosen to name a school after him or her.

To be known as the Eleanor Harvey Awards, they will honor the late Eleanor Harvey, founder and 30-year President of the EHS, as well as a long-time teacher in the Public Schools. According to Davis, a major goal of the EHS is to “increase interest in, knowledge of, and pride in the history of our unique City. Developing an interest in history among our young people is important for citizenship and for providing them with some perspective when confronting present day events and issues.” The Society hopes that this new contest will further these goals. If successful in attracting interest, the EHS plans to repeat the contest in future years.

Judges designated by the EHS will choose winners on the basis of accuracy, style, interest, and demonstrated understanding of the subject. It is expected that the necessary research will involve searches on the internet, use of the resources available at the Englewood Public Library, and possibly oral interviews with knowledgeable persons.

At the request of Schools Superintendent Donald Carlisle, separate prizes will be offered to students at Dwight Morrow High School and at the Academies@Englewood. Juniors and Seniors are eligible. There will be two $1000 prizes, to be presented at the EHS Annual Award Dinner, scheduled for April 18, 2013. The suggested essay length is 1000 words. Essays should be submitted by email to normandavis437@gmail.com. The student’s name, home address, email address, and school should be shown above the title of each essay. The deadline will be midnight on Monday, March 18, 2013.

Mindful of the Past – Dedicated to the Future

The Englewood Historical Society is happy to welcome new members, and we welcome particularly members who would like to work on existing or new projects. In the past, for example, the EHS has sponsored bus tours and publications. We can always use ideas for programs, help with publicity, expertise with mailing lists, liaisons with other historical organizations, etc.

Anyone interested should contact President Norman Davis at 201-567-8857, by email at englewoodhistoricalsociety@ymail.com, or via postal mail:

Englewood Historical Society
P. O. Box 8136, Englewood NJ 07631.