Twenty-first Star Chapter NSDAR Announces American History Essay Contest Winners
The Twenty-first Star Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is pleased to announce its winners in this year's American History Essay Contest with the topic: "A Child's Journey Through Ellis Island". The year 2015 marks the 125th anniversary of Ellis Island opening as an immigration station. On a typical day, immigrants arriving on the island could expect to spend up to seven hours in processing activities intended to determine whether or not they were legally and medically fit to enter the United States. Students were to imagine themselves as children traveling through Ellis Island in 1892. How would they describe their experiences to a cousin who has never heard of Ellis Island?
This year's winners are:
5th grade: Brianna Suchyta of South Barrington, attends Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines
6th grade: Patrick Burns of Mount Prospect, attends St. Emily School in Mount Prospect
7th grade: Isabella Cho of Wilmette, attends Science and Arts Academy in Des Plaines
8th grade: Kara Dempsey of Des Plaines, attends St. Emily School in Mount Prospect
All four winning essays were forwarded to the NSDAR's District competition.
In addition to receiving a "Winner Certificate", each student read the winning essay to classmates and received "Allegiance, the Constitution Game" and a 21-star flag pin, presented by Twenty-first Star Chapter's American History Chairman, Nancy Meyer. Each of the 97 students who submitted an essay for the contest received a Certificate of Participation.
Judging was based on historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. All grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students in a public, private, or parochial school, and those who are home schooled were eligible. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin.
Any woman age 18 and older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Twenty-first Star Chapter provides genealogy research assistance. Please contact Dorothy Wilson at (847) 328-6946 for more information.