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Awards & Scholarships

Lin Harris-Seares Writers’ Emergency Fund

This fund was set up in the name of one of Write Action's founders. Because Write Action first came into being to help out a writer in need, this fund was one of the first undertakings of the organization. Four gifts have been given out so far. These gifts are not applied for, but are presented by consensus when a need is seen.

Lin Harris-Seares, 1947-2000
A writer and teacher, Lin spent most of her life in New York City, moving to Brattleboro with her husband in 1997. Lin worked on the Village Voice "Scenes" column, covered the arts for WBAI Pacifica Radio, and wrote features for Reuters News Service and other publications. She had a BA from Skidmore, a masters from Columbia and a PhD in Literature from New York University. She taught English language skills at NYU and Manhattan Community College, and was drawn to personal memoir, profiles and biography. She is survived by her second husband, Peter Seares, and a stepdaughter, Carrie.

Write Action Creative Writing Award

The Write Action Creative Writing Award is presented each year to a senior chosen by the BUHS English department faculty.

In June of 2004 Write Action presented its first award for excellence in writing to a senior at Brattleboro Union High School. Sara Wood was the first recipient, and the presentation was part of the graduation ceremonies. The second went to Alyssa Korin Rogers in 2005 at Senior Awards night. Both young women received a $100 check, a notebook, and our warmest praise.

Write Action president Neal Weiner conferred the first award and read the following statement (an excerpt): "Why an award for writing? Because when it is strong and true, writing moves us like nothing else to acts of understanding -- to courage, to self-knowledge, and to an intimation of our shared humanity. It can open new worlds, and it can reveal the mystery that lies buried in familiarity."

The Marty Jezer Award For Excellence in Journalism

The Marty Jezer Award For Excellence In Journalism had its first recipient in 2006. The award goes to a graduating senior who has displayed excellence in the pursuit of journalistic studies. The winner of this award was announced at the BUHS graduation on June 16, 2006.

This award is named after Marty Jezer, a founder of Write Action, and its first president. Marty Jezer, biographer, author, wrote a weekly, much loved column for the Brattleboro Reformer that was picked up and posted on web sites with world-wide readership. There is currently a book being compiled of his columns.