Signal Hill Chapter DAR recognizes essay contest winner
Nicholas High, a sixth-grader at Fox River Country Day School in Elgin, has won first place in the sixth grade category of both the Signal Hill Chapter level and the Illinois District IV level of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) 2009-2010 American History Essay Contest.
High was presented with a first place medal, a ribbon and a certificate at an awards ceremony held Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Barrington Area Library, hosted by Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR. Over 100 members and guests attended.
High thanked the group telling them, "The topic of the Transcontinental Railroad was very interesting and I am glad to be honored in such a unique and special way."
This year's essay topic invited student's to write about the historic moment, May 10, 1869, when the golden spike was driven at Promontory Summit, Utah, celebrating the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad. They could choose to tell their story from the perspective of a settler planning to use the railroad, an Irish or Chinese railroad worker, or a Native American adjusting to the expansion of the railroad.
"Nick found the project rewarding in the fact that he could combine his knowledge of U.S. history with his language arts abilities" explains Nick's Social Studies and Language Arts teacher, Kyle Monestero. "In the essay, Nick describes the experiences that one Chinese worker may have had, starting from his immigration to America to the racism that a Chinese worker experienced, to the feeling of accomplishments that a Chinese worker would feel in completing such a monumental task. I am very proud of Nick's accomplishments and am glad he is being recognized for his hard work."
As a first place winner in Barrington's Signal Hill Chapter's 2009-2010 American History Essay Contest, High's paper was automatically forwarded to the D.A.R. Illinois Regional District IV competition, where he once again took first place.
He will be honored at the March 12 District IV meeting at the Carlisle in Lombard. His paper has now been entered into the Illinois State contest. In total, there are five levels in this national essay competition: Chapter level, IL District IV level, IL State, U.S. North Central Division and finally the National level which includes an expense-paid trip to Washington DC in July.
This national American History Essay Contest was designed to promote the study of American history among our nation's youth. A record of assigned topics for this annual D.A.R. essay competition dates back to 1957.
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