BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Memorial Awards
CALLING ALL REALISTS, CYNICS, SCIENTISTS AND THOSE POSSESSED WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR:
Ben Franklin High School is pleased to announce The Anthony McKeage Clawson '22 Comedy Prize.
Anthony was known for his keen intelligence and curiosity, but his sense of humor is what made him so beloved by all who knew him. Click here to learn more about Anthony’s life and legacy from a television news interview with his mother Valerie Walker. It aired on WWL TV on August 3, 2022.
This prize was established in his memory to inspire Ben Franklin students in any grade to submit a joke or short story with a great punchline of their own creation. The entries will be submitted to the Riverbend Review editorial staff and they will determine a winner. The winning joke or short story will be published in the Riverbend Review and the winning student will also receive a cash prize.
Memorial Awards
THE ANTHONY CLAWSON'22 PRIZE
To submit an entry:
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Submit entries here. The prompts for this year are:
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New Orleans Natural: Take a humorous tour of the “natural” side of New Orleans. From potholes to malfunctioning streetlights, share the quirks of city life that make New Orleans uniquely its own. What unexpected challenges have you faced navigating the streets?
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Once in a Lifetime New Orleans Experience: Think about a moment in New Orleans that will stay with you forever. Whether it’s something spontaneous, wild, or deeply meaningful, describe the experience that stands out above all others in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
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How to Prepare for a Big Night: Everyone has a go-to routine before a big night out. What steps do you take to get ready? From choosing the outfit to the last-minute planning, tell us about the fun, frantic, or unexpected parts of preparing for a night to remember.
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Parade Going Dos and Don’ts: Parades in New Orleans are an event like no other. What’s your guide to surviving the chaos? Share your top dos and don’ts for making the most of the experience, from snagging beads to staying safe and having fun in the crowd.
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Buying Live Crawfish for a Boil: Buying live crawfish for a boil is an adventure in itself. Share your funniest, most chaotic, or most memorable experience from purchasing crawfish. How did you handle the logistics, and what unexpected surprises did you encounter?
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Entries are accepted through April 30, 2025.
CALLING ALL REALISTS, CYNICS, SCIENTISTS AND THOSE POSSESSED WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR:
Ben Franklin High School is pleased to announce The Anthony McKeage Clawson '22 Comedy Prize.
Anthony was known for his keen intelligence and curiosity, but his sense of humor is what made him so beloved by all who knew him. Click here to learn more about Anthony’s life and legacy from a television news interview with his mother Valerie Walker. It aired on WWL TV on August 3, 2022.
This $500 prize is funded by a community that believes in two goals: the first is to honor Anthony's life and commitment to his chosen field, chemistry. His stated wish in his college entrance essay was to help humanity. The second goal is to encourage students to think creatively about humor. Multimedia submissions by senior class members are encouraged, and the winner will be chosen through a committee. The winner will be announced at the Baccalaureate Brunch in May.
Ways to donate to this tax-deductible fund:
1. Check: Made payable to Friends of Franklin and mailed to:
Benjamin Franklin High School
Attention: Development Office
2001 Leon C. Simon Drive
New Orleans, LA 70122
Please indicate on the memo line that the donation is for the “Anthony McKeage Clawson '22 Prize.”
2. Credit card: All major credit cards are accepted. Click here to donate to this fund.
3. Stock transfers: If you wish to make a stock gift, please contact Development Director Christy Cowart Read ’89 at 504-286-2615 or cread@bfhsla.org.