Sophia Morrison Award

The Sophia Morrison Award and Commendation are made possible thanks to the generous Bequest of T C M and C N Frost to Culture Vannin. The Frosts, passionate advocates for the Manx language, recognised its significance to the island and its people. Witnessing the recent resurgence in interest, they wanted to highlight the pivotal role young people play in the future of Manx through the creation of these awards.

Launched in 2022, and awarded annually, the prize is presented to the highest-grading under-18 student in Teisht Chadjin Ghaelgagh (GCSE equivalent) in the Manx language. The winner is selected by the Manx Language Unit of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture. The successful student receives £500, an engraved medal, and a special ‘Cair Vie’ trophy, shaped like a Viking longship, which is displayed at the recipient's school for the year.

Before receiving the prize money, the winner is asked to submit a short piece of work in Manx, which will be included in a collection of new writings or recordings published periodically by Culture Vannin.

A second award, the Sophia Morrison Commendation, is awarded to the TCG student with the highest mark who has not benefitted from Manx medium immersion education. Recipients are awarded a prize of £350.

The awards are named in honour of Sophia Morrison, a cultural activist, folklore collector, and writer best known for her Manx Fairy Tales. A long-time Secretary to Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh (the Manx Language Society), much of Sophia’s work focused on passing on Manx culture and language to future generations. Mr Frost was related to the Morrison family, so it is most fitting that these awards bear her name.