New London — The New London Maritime Society invites high school juniors and seniors to enter the 2021 Reid MacCluggage Black Maritime History Scholarship Competition.

Entrants may write an essay, a short story, a poem, a play, a movie script or a novella about the African American experience in the maritime world for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.

The competition was established in 2001 to foster an awareness of the experience of African Americans in the context of maritime history. Named after Reid MacCluggage, editor and publisher of The Day from 1984 to 2001, the competition honors his commitment to the development of multicultural awareness and excellent writing skills in students.

Participants must be a junior or senior at one of the following high schools: East Lyme, Grasso Tech, Fisher's Island, Fitch, Griswold, Ledyard, Lyme-Old Lyme, Montville, New London, Norwich Free Academy, Norwich Tech, St. Bernard, Stonington, The Williams School, Waterford or Wheeler.

Entries must be typed and include a complete list of all primary and secondary research sources. They must be accompanied by a cover page stating the student's name, address and telephone number, as well as the name of the high school he or she attends, and a brief abstract describing the intent/content of the piece.

Entries must be received at the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank St., New London, CT 06320, by 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. Mailed entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 27. MacCluggage will judge the entries.

For more information, contact Susan Tamulevich at the Custom House Maritime Museum by calling (203) 444-2884 or by email at nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com.