Essay Contest
“I think of writing another little monograph some of these days ...” (IDEN)
ABOUT THE ESSAY CONTEST
The essay contest is currently on hiatus, though we hope to revive the tradition.
From 2005-2021, Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, in partnership with the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public Schools, held an annual Sherlock Holmes Essay Contest for all Howard County public, private, and home-schooled seventh-grade students.
Participants were asked to read the Sherlock Holmes short story "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" and write a five-paragraph analytical essay according to the rules and guidelines of the contest. Anyone interested in reading those rules may click here to download the 2020-2021 contest booklet, which includes the story, pre-reading activities, a glossary of British terms, specific essay questions, and the rubric used in judging the essays.
Teachers who chose to use the contest as a whole-class exercise were asked to send Watson's Tin Box the top two essays from each participating class. Home-schooled students were invited to send their essays directly to the Watson's Tin Box address listed in the booklet.
Special thanks for fifteen years of years of dedication go to contest co-ordinator Andy Solberg, BSI; as well as to the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public School System, the contest's co-sponsors; and to longtime co-judge Bruce Eberlie.
CONTEST HISTORY
Watson's Tin Box's Sherlock Holmes Essay Contest was established in 2005 by Andy Solberg, BSI, as a way of carrying on the legacy of Tin Box co-founder Steve Clarkson, BSI. A mentor to many young Sherlockians, Steve started a Sherlock Holmes literary society for young people in the late 1960s that included members from across the country. Before the advent of e-mail, these young Sherlockians would distribute their analyses of the Holmes stories to each other in real envelopes, via "snail mail." Steve continued his mentoring of young Sherlockians until his death in 2004, and Andy extended the good work by spearheading the annual essay contest.
First Prize in the contest was named The Clarkson Prize. As of 2021, Second Prize in the contest was designated The Austin Prize, in memory and in honor of Beth Austin, ASH. Beth, whom we lost in 2020, was a mainstay of the Tin Box and of the mid-Atlantic Sherlockian community, as well as a familiar figure at our Essay Contest awards ceremonies over the years. In her keynote talk, "Sherlock Holmes as Cultural Icon," she delighted in pointing out that even those who have never read a Sherlock Holmes story still know his name and recognize the outline of the man in the deerstalker cap with a pipe or a magnifying glass.
Every year, the top three essay writers were each awarded a gift card to Barnes & Noble Booksellers, a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and a certificate from Watson’s Tin Box. In addition, the winning essay was published in Irene’s Cabinet, the literary journal of the Tin Box.
WTB & THE HOWARD COUNTY (MARYLAND) PUBLIC LIBRARY
Critical thinking and light-hearted fun are the twin hallmarks of Sherlockian literary societies, and Watson’s Tin Box attempts to promote interest in the Holmes stories through both education and entertainment. Our members are committed to encouraging others, especially children and young adults, to read the Sherlock Holmes stories not only for their historical and literary value, but also for fun. To that end, the Tin Box has enjoyed a collaboration with the Howard County Public Library since 2003. Over the years, in addition to holding the Essay Contest, Tin Box members have provided Sherlock Holmes-related items for displays at all six Howard County Library branches, have presented children's events for the library's Summer Reading Club, have co-hosted (with Howard County Public Library) “Dinner and a Mystery with Sherlock Holmes” nights for adults, and have assisted with “solve-a-mystery” lock-ins for middle-schoolers.
Funding for Watson’s Tin Box educational programs is provided by Watson’s Tin Box members.
ABOUT THE ESSAY CONTEST
The essay contest is currently on hiatus, though we hope to revive the tradition.
From 2005-2021, Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, in partnership with the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public Schools, held an annual Sherlock Holmes Essay Contest for all Howard County public, private, and home-schooled seventh-grade students.
Participants were asked to read the Sherlock Holmes short story "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" and write a five-paragraph analytical essay according to the rules and guidelines of the contest. Anyone interested in reading those rules may click here to download the 2020-2021 contest booklet, which includes the story, pre-reading activities, a glossary of British terms, specific essay questions, and the rubric used in judging the essays.
Teachers who chose to use the contest as a whole-class exercise were asked to send Watson's Tin Box the top two essays from each participating class. Home-schooled students were invited to send their essays directly to the Watson's Tin Box address listed in the booklet.
Special thanks for fifteen years of years of dedication go to contest co-ordinator Andy Solberg, BSI; as well as to the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public School System, the contest's co-sponsors; and to longtime co-judge Bruce Eberlie.
CONTEST HISTORY
Watson's Tin Box's Sherlock Holmes Essay Contest was established in 2005 by Andy Solberg, BSI, as a way of carrying on the legacy of Tin Box co-founder Steve Clarkson, BSI. A mentor to many young Sherlockians, Steve started a Sherlock Holmes literary society for young people in the late 1960s that included members from across the country. Before the advent of e-mail, these young Sherlockians would distribute their analyses of the Holmes stories to each other in real envelopes, via "snail mail." Steve continued his mentoring of young Sherlockians until his death in 2004, and Andy extended the good work by spearheading the annual essay contest.
First Prize in the contest was named The Clarkson Prize. As of 2021, Second Prize in the contest was designated The Austin Prize, in memory and in honor of Beth Austin, ASH. Beth, whom we lost in 2020, was a mainstay of the Tin Box and of the mid-Atlantic Sherlockian community, as well as a familiar figure at our Essay Contest awards ceremonies over the years. In her keynote talk, "Sherlock Holmes as Cultural Icon," she delighted in pointing out that even those who have never read a Sherlock Holmes story still know his name and recognize the outline of the man in the deerstalker cap with a pipe or a magnifying glass.
Every year, the top three essay writers were each awarded a gift card to Barnes & Noble Booksellers, a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and a certificate from Watson’s Tin Box. In addition, the winning essay was published in Irene’s Cabinet, the literary journal of the Tin Box.
WTB & THE HOWARD COUNTY (MARYLAND) PUBLIC LIBRARY
Critical thinking and light-hearted fun are the twin hallmarks of Sherlockian literary societies, and Watson’s Tin Box attempts to promote interest in the Holmes stories through both education and entertainment. Our members are committed to encouraging others, especially children and young adults, to read the Sherlock Holmes stories not only for their historical and literary value, but also for fun. To that end, the Tin Box has enjoyed a collaboration with the Howard County Public Library since 2003. Over the years, in addition to holding the Essay Contest, Tin Box members have provided Sherlock Holmes-related items for displays at all six Howard County Library branches, have presented children's events for the library's Summer Reading Club, have co-hosted (with Howard County Public Library) “Dinner and a Mystery with Sherlock Holmes” nights for adults, and have assisted with “solve-a-mystery” lock-ins for middle-schoolers.
Funding for Watson’s Tin Box educational programs is provided by Watson’s Tin Box members.
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WTB WINS BEACON AWARD
During the annual Baker Street Irregulars Weekend in New York City in January 2008, Watson's Tin Box received The Beacon Award from The Beacon Society for its Holmesian literacy projects. The award is generally given to an individual; the Tin Box was the first BSI scion society to be so honored. The annual Essay Contest was instrumental in our qualifying for the award. |
