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Citrus Heights Messenger

DAR Student Essay Contest Seeks Submissions

Oct 07, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Thomas J. Sullivan

2021 DAR Essay Contest Winner Meghan Leick, center, a fifth-grade student at Sacramento Adventist Academy in Carmichael, won for her essay on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She stands with her proud Mom Robin, Dad David, and County Supervisor Sue Frost.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Members of the General John A. Sutter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Citrus Heights are seeking student submissions to its American History Essay Contest to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great history and learn about history in a new light.

Each year, a selected topic for use during the academic year is announced, and contest instructions are published both online and sent to local schools by participating DAR chapters. General John A. Sutter Chapter winners will receive $100 and progress on to DAR district, state and national competitions.

“All students in grades 5 through 12 can compete and we are encouraging public, private, parochial and even home school participation, said Sue Frost, DAR American History Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor.

Students in grades 5-8 are asked to imagine that they are a delegate to the Second Continental Congress which met from May 10, 1775, to March 1, 1781, and was instrumental in shaping what was to become the United States of America. They select one of the 13 original colonies, and then as that delegate, they consider what goals will be important to accomplish for their colony during the Second Continental Congress which met in Philadelphia, PA.

Students in grades 9-12 will write on the topic “Patriots of the American Revolution.” Participants will be asked to select a figure from the era of the American Revolution, discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation.

“While the essay contest will focus on the men and women who figured in the prominent events of the American Revolution (1773-1783) we hope students may find an everyday man, woman, or child who supported the American Revolution in ways both large and small, someone who inspired them and helped contribute to the founding of our great nation,” Frost said.

Students are encouraged to use primary sources (i.e., immediate, first-hand accounts such as letters, diaries, speeches, or newspaper reports) for their research. All essays will be judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness, Frost said.

The deadline for essay submissions is Monday, November 7th and early submissions are encouraged.

For questions, additional information or to submit individual student essays contact Dianne at [email protected] complete national DAR essay contest rules can be viewed at:  https://www.dar.org/national-society/education/essay-contests

Essay winners will be invited to an upcoming meeting of the Gen. John A. Sutter Chapter in Citrus Heights to be presented with their awards. Winning essays at the local chapter level will be entered into further competition at the state level, with a chance of progressing to national level competition.

The General John A. Sutter Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), is a non-profit, non-political organization. The chapter meets on the third Saturday of each month between September and May at the Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive in Citrus Heights.

Women who are 18 years of age and older and who descended from a man or woman who aided in achieving American independence between April 19,1775, and November 26, 1783, are welcome to apply for DAR membership.

For correspondence, the Chapter mailing address is P.O. Box 1284, Citrus Heights, CA 95611-1284. Visit: californiadar.org/chapters/generaljohnsutter/ for more information or email: correspondence@[email protected]