Entries sought for D.A.R. American History Essay Contest
The Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), is again sponsoring an American History Essay Contest for fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in Barrington and surrounding area’s public, private or parochial schools, including the home schooled.
The topic of the 2013-2014 D.A.R. American History Essay Contest is: “The Lives of Children During the American Revolution.”
Students can portray either a historical child or a fictional child living in the era of the American Revolution. The war dramatically changed the lives of children during the Revolution. Some actually followed their fathers into battle; others stayed home and assumed new responsibilities that were necessary for their families’ survival.
Imagine yourself in the place of such a child taking on important and often adult responsibilities. Describe some of the changes that are taking place in your life and that of your family as you face this new situation. Just remember that the Title of the Essay must be on the Title page.
Fifth-graders are invited to submit original work of 300-600 words; sixth- to eighth-graders may submit original work of 600-1000 words. Interested teachers and students, please call Joyce Wright, Signal Hill Chapter historian, at (847)-658-5993, for complete contest rules. Limited vision students may use Braille, a tape recorder, or very large type, but a written transcript must be included, as well as a teacher’s or physician’s letter attesting to the student’s special need.
Deadline for entries is Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. Teachers of interested students can arrange for essays to be collected from area schools; alternatively, essays may be mailed to the above address. Winners will be notified in January 2014.
Signal Hill Chapter will host an awards ceremony at the Barrington Library, in the spring of 2014, to honor its top three essay winners in each age group. First-place winners will receive a certificate, ribbon and a bronze medal. Second- and third-place winners will receive a certificate and ribbon. Schools of first-place winners will receive an engraved plaque.
First-place winning essays (one from each grade level) are automatically forwarded to the Illinois District IV competition. In total there are five levels in this national competition, sponsored annually by NSDAR to promote interest in American history and to stimulate pride in country: “Chapter” level (bronze medal), “IL District” level, “IL State” level (silver medal), “Division” level, and finally “National” Level. National winners will receive a gold pin, a National Winner certificate, a monetary award and an expense-paid trip to attend the national awards ceremony at the NSDAR Continental Congress, Washington, D.C., in July 2014.