DAR announces American History Essay Contests

Barrington-based Signal Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) announces American History Essay Contests for the 2024-2025 season. The contests reflect the organization’s values of historic preservation, education, and patriotism by inviting students to think and write creatively about historic U.S. events, specifically those related to the American Revolution.

This year’s essay topic for grade schools is, “Enjoying a New Kind of Tea Party,” which is for students enrolled in grades five through eight. In the 1770s, there was a movement of protest from the Colonists against the British due to taxes and laws. Along the East Coast a growing number of patriots held “tea” parties. The Boston Tea Party was on Dec. 16, 1773; others were held in subsequent years in other cities. Essay participants are asked to imagine being one of the women who boldly participates in one of these tea parties.

Depending on the student’s age group, essays may be 300 to 1,000 words. All students in grades five, six, seven and eight, enrolled in a public, private or parochial school, or those who are home schooled, are eligible to participate. One essay at each grade level will be selected as the Signal Hill Chapter winner.

In addition, high school students in grades nine through 12 may participate in the DAR’s High School Essay Contest, called “Patriots of the American Revolution.” Participants are asked to select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783) and discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution. Depending on the student’s age group, essays may be 800 to 1,200 words.

All essays will be judged based on historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, and that the submission is the student’s own work.

All winners will be recognized in early 2025, at Signal Hill Chapter’s annual “DAR Youth Awards” event. Winners will go forward in competition with the potential for a national award.

For information about the essay contests, please contact Signal Hill Historian Cheri Pinchot via email at signalhillhistorian@outlook.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is a volunteer women’s service organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Through its various programs and initiatives, NSDAR strives to increase the awareness of men and women who achieved American independence, including those of diverse backgrounds.

Since its founding in 1890, over one million women have joined both nationally and around the world. Membership in NSDAR is open to any woman, aged 18 and older, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.

The Signal Hill Chapter was chartered 52 years ago in Barrington. Due to fundraising efforts throughout the year, the chapter contributes financially to several 501 (c) (3) organizations whose missions support that of NSDAR.

For information about the Barrington-based chapter, visit signalhilldar.com.