Senior Writing Excellence Honored at Blacker Prizes Ceremony May 16

When it comes to literary awards, you may have heard about the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award and the Man Booker.

And in Belmont, there are the Blacker Prizes, presented each year to three Belmont High School seniors for outstanding writing on their senior theses. 

Next Wednesday, the High School's English Department will present the 14th annual Lillian F. Blacker Prizes for Excellence in Writing on May 16 at 7 p.m. in the library. Belmont residents and fellow students are invited to attend.

More than 20 years ago, the family and friends established the prizes in memory of Blacker, a longtime Belmont resident and director of the Harvard Medical School News Office, who was active in several areas of the community. And Blacker is remembered as a true lover of literature and language with the awarding of the yearly honors.

Each Belmont High School senior reads, researches and writes a lengthy thesis paper – a graduation requirement – investigating a literary topic. The English faculty determine the winners after an extensive reading process.

At the awards ceremony, the three Blacker Prize winners will read from their papers and discuss the evolution of their ideas. In addition, a panel of seniors will discuss their topics and the senior thesis process.

Teachers, parents, administrators, and friends are invited. Underclassmen are encouraged to attend the ceremony to learn more about the senior thesis process.