Essay Contest
“I think of writing another little monograph some of these days ...” (IDEN)
ANNOUNCING THE 2020-2021 SHERLOCK HOLMES ESSAY CONTEST
Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, in partnership with the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public Schools, announces its annual Sherlock Holmes Essay Contest for all Howard County public, private, and home-schooled seventh grade students.
Participants are 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. Those interested in entering 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, the rubric which will be used in judging the essays, and a contest entry form.
The First Prize Winner will receive a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble Booksellers. He or she will also receive a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. In addition, he or she will receive a certificate from Watson’s Tin Box and will have the essay published in the next edition of Irene’s Cabinet, the annual journal of the Tin Box.
The Second and Third Prize Winners will each receive $25 gift cards to Barnes & Noble Booksellers, a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and a certificate from Watson’s Tin Box.
Teachers who choose to have their classes participate will forward to Watson’s Tin Box the top two essays from each class. Home-schooled students may send their essay to the Watson’s Tin Box address listed in the booklet. Entries should be received no later than May 31, 2021.
Special thanks to the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public School System, the contest co-sponsors.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 WINNERS
First Prize – Khadija Naqvi, Ms. Randolph’s class, Burleigh Manor Middle School
Second Prize – Dylan Mathew, Ms. Preston’s class, Lime Kiln Middle School
CONTEST HISTORY
Watson's Tin Box's annual 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 has continued the good work by spearheading the essay contest every year since then.
Each year the Tin Box awards First, Second, and Third Place Prizes to the top three essays. First Prize in the contest, The Clarkson Prize, is named for Steve Clarkson, BSI. As of 2021, Second Prize in the contest will be 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 a deerstalker cap with a pipe or a magnifying glass.
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.
ANNOUNCING THE 2020-2021 SHERLOCK HOLMES ESSAY CONTEST
Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, in partnership with the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public Schools, announces its annual Sherlock Holmes Essay Contest for all Howard County public, private, and home-schooled seventh grade students.
Participants are 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. Those interested in entering 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, the rubric which will be used in judging the essays, and a contest entry form.
The First Prize Winner will receive a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble Booksellers. He or she will also receive a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. In addition, he or she will receive a certificate from Watson’s Tin Box and will have the essay published in the next edition of Irene’s Cabinet, the annual journal of the Tin Box.
The Second and Third Prize Winners will each receive $25 gift cards to Barnes & Noble Booksellers, a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and a certificate from Watson’s Tin Box.
Teachers who choose to have their classes participate will forward to Watson’s Tin Box the top two essays from each class. Home-schooled students may send their essay to the Watson’s Tin Box address listed in the booklet. Entries should be received no later than May 31, 2021.
Special thanks to the Howard County Library System and Howard County Public School System, the contest co-sponsors.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 WINNERS
First Prize – Khadija Naqvi, Ms. Randolph’s class, Burleigh Manor Middle School
Second Prize – Dylan Mathew, Ms. Preston’s class, Lime Kiln Middle School
CONTEST HISTORY
Watson's Tin Box's annual 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 has continued the good work by spearheading the essay contest every year since then.
Each year the Tin Box awards First, Second, and Third Place Prizes to the top three essays. First Prize in the contest, The Clarkson Prize, is named for Steve Clarkson, BSI. As of 2021, Second Prize in the contest will be 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 a deerstalker cap with a pipe or a magnifying glass.
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. Our annual Essay Contest was instrumental in our qualifying for the award. |