Roben Campbell and Eric Prouty of the Boston Area Shaker Study Group are proud to announce that the winner of the Shaker essay contest is 10th-grader Zachary Sclar of Depot Road. His essay was a commentary on Shaker values and the suggested African proverb, “If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Zach wrote, “Their harmonious communal lifestyle not only embodied what we sometimes see in the American work ethic today, it also helped to transform Americans’ ideals by introducing early forms of tolerance and equality. … We should look to them to remind ourselves of all that is possible in collaboration, especially as we, in this country, move more and more toward competition and capitalism, both of which stress the isolated ‘I’ rather than the blessed ‘we.’” The $500 cash prize was to be presented to him on awards night, June 16. For more information about the Boston Area Shaker Study Group, contact eprouty0121@gmail.com or robencampbell@gmail.com.
Sclar wins Shaker essay contest
