Political Awareness Essay Competition

Richard Nixon's and Henry Kissinger's secret diplomacy in re-establishing relations with China was the topic of the winning essay by University School senior Thomas Dattilo in the school's 30th annual Political Awareness Essay Competition. The awards ceremony was held today at the Hunting Valley Campus.

In his essay, Silent Leadership: Nixon's and Kissinger's Secret Diplomacy in Rapprochement with China, Thomas states, "Beginning with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger's secret visit to Beijing in July of 1971, Nixon's and Kissinger's leadership paved the way for geopolitical rapprochement and inclusiveness with Mao's People's Republic of China while striving for detente with the USSR. The duo's distrust of the State Department, backdoor secret channels, triangular diplomacy, and the reputation of Nixon allowed "Nixinger" to play the China card against its Cold War enemy in the Soviet Union."

The second place winner was sophomore William Frankel, whose essay was entitled, Genetic Code for Success: Why Regulation Should Yield to Genetically Modified Food Science. The third place prize was awarded to junior James Fuente for his essay White Over Black.

Honorable mentions went to sophomores Omer Ashruf and Rohan Garg, and senior Isaiah Williams.

The contest, which is open to all Upper School students, is aimed at stimulating political awareness and encouraging students to think and write clearly about issues in politics. The essays, from 1,000 to 2,000 words in length, must demonstrate original research and are judged on the basis of logical and imaginative thinking and the expression of thoughts in a clear, provocative style.

This year, Alan Cate, Upper School History Chairperson, was the guest speaker.  A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Cate served 25 years on active duty in Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger units before retiring at the rank of Colonel. He commanded organizations ranging in size from a 12-man Special Forces A-Team to a 1,000-soldier battalion. He holds a Master's Degree in History from Stanford, is a diplomat of the Ecole Superieure de Guerre in Paris, and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

University School's Class of 1935 established the Political Awareness Essay Competition in 1985. At its 50th reunion, the class wanted to give a lasting gift to the school that would academically inspire students. They decided to endow a political essay prize, which would create interest in political matters and encourage boys to think and write about them logically and passionately.