Schwarzenegger Prize for Writing
Writers' Conference Winners
Sebastian Walter Young- Blackouts and Bills
2018 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER - FIRST PRIZE
We were very impressed with Sebastian's understanding of energy grid technology and both the opportunities and difficulties that renewable energy provide. Smart public policy making and strong leadership in Sacramento have driven California's leadership and we at the Schwarzenegger Institute are always excited to see the next generation of thinkers explore ways to continue protecting and improving our global environment.
Alexandra Demetriou: Seeking a cure for Governmentitis
2018 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER - SECOND PRIZE
Not only does this paper provide a number of solutions for improving healthcare in America, it also actively encourages doctors and healthcare providers to take a leading role in the political process and a hands on approach to shaping healthcare policy. The Schwarzenegger Institute supports political and civic engagement, and encourages leaders to put people over political parties and take a bi-partisan approach to solving the critical issues of our day.
Max Hill, Alya Omar and Austin Reagan - “Climate Resilience in the Arctic Fishing Industry”
2017 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER - FIRST PRIZE
On March 29th, 2017, The Schwarzenegger Institute awarded the Schwarzenegger Prize at the annual Undergraduate Writers' Conference awards. Students were eligible for the Schwarzenegger Prize if they proposed a real world solution to a serious policy challenge that improves the lives of people and communities in one or more of the following policy areas: education; environment & energy; health & wellness; fiscal & economic; and/or political reform. There were hundreds of submissions for the prize, but First place went to Max Hill, Alya Omar, and Austin Reagan, for their well researched paper, which lays out brilliant and creative approaches to addressing a complex regional impact of climate change on an important industry. In regions across the globe leaders are grappling with how to deal with adapting to the impacts of climate change, and this group of outstanding USC students give us all hope for our generations ability to meet this great challenge.
Holly Bard - “Kamala Harris Presidential Playbook”
2017 WRITERS" CONFERENCE WINNER - SECOND PRIZE
Second place in the 2017 Undergraduate Writers' Conference was awarded Holly Bard for her Analytical paper that lays out a roadmap for California Senator Harris to take if she were interested in being a viable Presidential candidate. The entry recommends addressing many issues, from environment, to jobs , immigration and homeland security, and suggests approaches that includes working across the aisle seeking solutions that serve the voters first, and political parties second. Holly shows a political understanding and sophistication that is equal to the top political consultants in our state and nation.
Alex Teboul-Profits Over Patient Health; Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Medication
2016 WRITERS" CONFERENCE WINNER - FIRST PRIZE
On April 13th, 2016, The Schwarzenegger Institute awarded the Schwarzenegger Prize at the annual Undergraduate Writers' Conference awards. Students were eligible for the Schwarzenegger Prize if they proposed a real world solution to a serious policy challenge that improves the lives of people and communities in one or more of the following policy areas: education; environment & energy; health & wellness; fiscal & economic; and/or political reform. There were hundreds of submissions for the prize, but First place went to Alex Teboul for his essay about allowing pharmaceutical companies to engage in direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medication and how it violates the industry's ethical obligations by placing patients at undue risk as they are motivated to request prescriptions that are overpriced, they do not need, or are ill-informed about.
Jennifer Bailey - Mental Illness Among the Homeless and Incarcerated of Los Angeles
2016 WRITERS" CONFERENCE WINNER - SECOND PRIZE
Second place in the 2016 Undergraduate Writers' Conference was awarded Jennifer Bailey for her research paper that addresses the issue mental illness among the homeless and incarcerated in Los Angeles
Thomas Winschel - The Importance of the Humanities to Humanity
2015 WRITERS" CONFERENCE WINNER - FIRST PRIZE
On April 1st 2015, The Schwarzenegger Institute awarded the Schwarzenegger Prize at the annual Undergraduate Writers' Conference awards. Students were eligible for the Schwarzenegger Prize if they proposed a real world solution to a serious policy challenge that improves the lives of people and communities in one or more of the following policy areas: education; environment & energy; health & wellness; fiscal & economic; and/or political reform. There were hundreds of submissions for the prize, but First place for the went to Thomas Winschel for his essay on the role of Humanities in American Education
Dat Pham - Malnutrition in the United States and How to Improve the SNAP Program
2015 WRITERS" CONFERENCE WINNER - SECOND PRIZE
Second place in the 2015 Undergraduate Writers' Conference was awarded Dat Pham for his essay that addresses the issue of malnutrition and obesity in America and focuses on how to create incentive programs with in SNAP – Also known as food stamps.
Haylie Chu - Proposal to Change the Regulations of the Bottled Water
2015 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WIINNER - HONORABLE MENTION
Honorable Mention in the 2015 Undergraduate Writers' Conference was awarded to Haylie Chu for her memo that argued that the regulations of bottled water should be changed to reflect that of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standards of tap water.
Joshua Hwang - Outdoor Air Pollution: From Evidence to Comprehensive Action
2014 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER, FIRST PRIZE
On April 9th 2014 Schwarzenegger Institute Global Director, Bonnie Reiss, and Academic Director, Nancy Staudt awarded Schwarzenegger Prize at the annual Undergraduate Writers' Conference awards. Students were eligible for the Schwarzenegger Prize if they proposed a real world solution to a serious policy challenge that improves the lives of people and communities in one or more of the following policy areas: education; environment & energy; health & wellness; fiscal & economic; and/or political reform. There were hundreds of submissions for the prize, but First place for the went to Joshua Hwang for his essay on outdoor air pollution.
LAUREN TAYMOR - SOLVING THE PLASTIC PROBLEM
2014 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER, SECOND PRIZE
Second place in the 2014 Undergraduate Writers' Conference was awarded to Lauren Taymor for here essay Solving The Plastic Problem.
Ambrose Soehn - Music Education
2013 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER, FIRST PRIZE
Since its inception in the early 1900’s, the complex concept of “Arts Education” has been interpreted in many ways, resulting in numerous programs to aid its advancement. As University of Texas researcher Julian Heilig describes, the arts were first seen as a leisure activity for the wealthy.
Kim Vu - Advance Directives
2013 WRITERS' CONFERENCE WINNER, SECOND PRIZE
While 70% of Americans would rather die at home (Cloud, 2000), only 25% of Americans actually do (Centers for Disease Control, 2008). Although Advanced Directives (ADs) allow people to make decisions about the end-of-life care (EOLC) they desire before they become incapacitated or unable to voice their own requests, only 20-30% of Americans report having an AD (Sedensky, 2010).