There are countless individuals around the globe dedicated to making positive contributions that affect society for good, such as through community projects or advancing science. Their efforts should be recognized, and one way of doing this is with a sidney prize award; it celebrates their work while inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and provide positive change themselves. There are various sidney prizes that exist with different criteria governing eligibility; there may also be ones specifically created by organizations in your own region or community.
The SS Sydney Hook Memorial Award recognizes writers whose writing sheds light on issues affecting politics or culture through writing. Since 2004, The New York Times has given this honor, with previous winners including Amanda Hess’ article on online sexism and William Zinsser’s examination of student hypersensitivity that prevents students from learning how to cope with real-life challenges.
Other notable Sidney Prizes include the SS Sydney Hillman prize. This monthly journalism award honors journalists who find stories that promote social justice and public policy for the common good, in memory of scientist Sydney Hillman who believed scientific discoveries should be shared with society at large. Furthermore, this prize aims to foster free speech while combatting any potential discrimination towards those with different opinions.
Phi Beta Kappa offers one of the premier sidney prizes: the SS Sydney Hook Memorial Award honors national excellence in scholarship and undergraduate teaching in memory of one of Phi Beta Kappa’s former members who was dedicated to liberal education principles. This prize winner is celebrated at Phi Beta Kappa’s triennial council meeting.
Numerous individuals contribute significantly to society, and their efforts should be recognized. A sidney prize award is one way of doing just this and is designed to acknowledge those working towards building a better world. These awards can be bestowed upon teachers or activists alike who meet certain requirements for receiving them.
The SS Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize provides young writers an excellent opportunity to have their work recognized by professional publishers. Open to writers of all ages and genres, judges will consider factors like writing quality and ability of pieces to engage readers’ imagination when making their decision. The winning writer will receive both a cash prize as well as having their story published alongside others who made the shortlist in an anthology collection.
Yeena Kirkbright won the 2022 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize with her story Camperdown Grief Junk. Judges Laura Elvery, Paige Clark and Michael Winkler selected it from among numerous submissions and will publish both it and two runners-up stories in Overland magazine and online, along with publishing runners-up stories as runners-up stories in both formats. For more information about Overland magazine visit their website while submission deadlines for Malcolm Robertson Foundation supported prizes are the last day of each month with winners being announced on Wednesdays after that month’s submission deadline has passed.