Lewes DAR honors American history essay contest winners
The Col. David Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced the winners of its American History Essay Contest are Kaden Riley-Spillane, a fifth-grader at Rehoboth Elementary School, and Abby Hazzard, an eighth-grader at Beacon Middle School.
This year’s contest writing prompt was: "The Second Continental Congress met from May 10, 1775, to March 1, 1781, and included delegates from all 13 colonies. This Congress was instrumental in shaping what was to become the United States of America. Imagine that you are a delegate during 1775-1776. Which colony are you from and what will be important for you to accomplish for your colony?”
Janet Maher, American history chair, said, "This was only the second year that our chapter has sponsored the contest locally, and we were very pleased with the number of students that participated.”
Rehoboth Elementary School had 28 fifth-grade students participate, and Beacon Middle School’s entire eighth-grade class took part. Each essay was read by a panel of three judges comprising two community members and one DAR member, and scored for historical accuracy, originality, spelling, grammar and organization. "It was a daunting task, and many volunteers were asked to read 30 essays each,” said Maher. "We greatly appreciate all of the community members who stepped up to read essays when asked."
"Every student that participated will receive a participation certificate," said Patricia Haas, chapter regent. "The winners received a certificate, a medal and a gift certificate for Browseabout Books. The chapter also provided the teachers from the winning classrooms with an Amazon gift card for classroom supplies."
The chapter-winning essays were submitted to the state level, where they are also the winning essays, so they now move on to the district level for judging.
The students will be recognized at the state meeting in March and will receive their certificates from the DAR national president general.
DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. For more information, contact Janet Maher, membership chair, at janet.maher@yahoo.com.
