Mildred Smith Historical Essay Scholarship Contest (2024)
About the Contest
Every year the Smithtown Historical Society offers junior and senior year students in the Township of Smithtown an opportunity to win a $2,000 scholarship. The Mildred Smith Historical Essay Contest, a scholarship award, is open to all 11th and 12th graders in attendance at Commack, Hauppauge, Kings Park and Smithtown East and West High Schools, as well as The Knox School and Smithtown Christian School. The contest is currently in its 18th year.
Mildred Smith was an original founder of the Smithtown Historical Society and its first President. She possessed an intense passion for the history of Smithtown and was a great friend and supporter of the Society. The Smithtown Historical Society is proud to honor her through this annual essay contest and hopes that the spirit of Ms. Smith will live on in the carefully researched and well-constructed student submissions.
Submissions will be accepted from March 1st through June 1, 2024 and may be delivered to the Smithtown Historical Society’s office at the Roseneath Cottage, 239 Middle Country Road, Smithtown, New York 11787, or emailed to programcoordinator@smithtownhistorical.org.
The scholarship will be officially awarded at our annual Heritage Ball held at the Watermill on November 6, 2024.
For additional information or any questions, please call our office at (631) 265-6768.
2024 Scholarship Essay Question
On the Home Front: Smithtown During War:
In a well-written essay describe how Smithtown residents responded to a specific war. You may choose any war from the American Revolution to modern day conflicts and address various responses to the Call to Arms, strategies for dealing with privation and support or opposition to the war under discussion. The following questions are only meant as a guide as you research:
How did the citizens feel about the war? How did they support or oppose the war effort? Was there a draft? Did Smithtown citizens volunteer? What was the communication like between those serving in the armed forces and the folks at home? How did those on the Homefront deal with shortages caused by war and the absence of loved ones? How did the roles of men and women on the Homefront change during war?
Once you have completed your research, construct a well-organized essay that presents the information gathered. Below are some suggested resources to help you.
Resources:
– School Librarian/Media Specialists — They will be able to direct you to resources
and provide guidance as you conduct your research.
– Interviews — If you are researching a modern-day conflict, you may be able to talk to someone who experienced life in Smithtown during that time. You may also be able to gather information from family
stories that have been handed down. Check the library for recorded interviews.
Veteran organizations might also be a good source of first-hand accounts.
– Long Island Room at the Main Branch of the Smithtown Library — you must call to
make an appointment; 631-360-2480 x197 There are microfilm collections of
Smithtown newspapers as well as other primary and secondary sources available.
– Smithtown Historical Society — check our resources tab for access to our online
collection. You may also contact the Society to arrange for materials from our collection.
Rules and Guidelines
Papers must be 3 – 5 pages in length, typed, doubled-spaced, using Times New Roman size 12 font. Any photos included are in addition to the typed pages and should be on a separate page.
Papers must address subject as outlined above. You must cite sources used, including interviews.
Papers will be judged on 3 criteria: quality of writing, quality of historical research and creativity.
Judging will be completed by a panel selected by the Historical Society.
All judges’ decisions are final.
Congratulations to 2023’s winner, Eva Supa! A copy of Ms. Supa’s winning essay can be found at the link here.