Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Chester County DAR History Essay contest winners announced
WEST CHESTER—The Chester County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced the winners of the 2022American History Essay contest. Each year, nationwide, students in grades fifth through eighth grade are given the opportunity to compose an essay and have it presented, through their schools, for evaluation. This year’s topic is: The Second Continental Congress met from May 10, 1775 — March 1, 1781, and included delegates from all thirteen colonies. This Congress was instrumental in shaping what was to become the United States of America. Imagine that you are a delegate during the 1775-1776 Second Continental Congress. Which colony are you from and what will be important for you to accomplish for your colony? Judging guidelines included historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, and that the essay is the student’s own work.
The CCDAR 2022 recipients of the American History Essays Award:
• Lucas Yates, a 5th grader at the UnionvilleChadds Ford Virtual Academy
• Lillianna Yates, a 7th grader at Charles F Patton Middle School
• Prisha Hallur, an 8th grader at Charles F. Patton Middle School
Congratulations to Lucas Yates who was selected the Pennsylvania state winner for the fifth grade and is advancing on to the Eastern Regional level.
In 2021, The National Society of the DAR established a new high school-level essay contest focused on figures of the American Revolution, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The
contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12. The topic was “Select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation.” The evaluation criteria were the same as the American History Essays contest. Congratulations to CCDAR winner Suhan Neema, a 12th grader at Unionville High School who presented an essay on Deborah Sampson.
During the meeting winners were given a certificate, medal and monetary award by Elberta Clinton, Chair, American History Essay Awards. In attendance were administrators and instructors from the Unionville/ Chadds Ford School District and the Chester County Intermediate Unit: Amy Jenkins of Unionville High School,Steve Dissinger of Charles F. Patton Middle School, Mark Slider, Mr. George Tzanakis and Shannon Brown (all associated with online learning for the Chester County Intermediate). Kenneth Hemphill, an Open Spaces Advocate, reviewed the Crebilly Farm open space status. Lucas and Lillianna Yates were active in this initiative. Steve Grabicki, Director of Operations for State Senator John Kane presented the students with certificates of achievement.
The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), headquartered in Washington D.C., is a non-profit, nonpolitical service organization that honors both men and women whose sacrifices made our country free. Members are direct descendants of a Patriot who furthered the cause for American independence. They may have fought, swore an oath to the new nation or provided supplies/financial support.