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Twenty-first Star Chapter NSDAR Announces American History Essay Contest Winners

The Twenty-first Star Chapter of NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) is pleased to announce its winners in this year’s American History Essay Contest with the topic: “The Lives of Children During the American Revolution, pretend you are a boy or a girl during the colonial fight for freedom. Using historical facts, discuss how the war is affecting your life.” 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. Students were to imagine themselves in the place of such a child taking on important and often adult responsibilities, describing some of the changes that were taking place in their life and that of their family as they faced this new situation. Students could portray either a historical child or a fictional child living in the era of the American Revolution. This year’s winners are:

 

5th grade: Elena Pauker of Glenview, attends Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines

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7th grade: Nicole Pochmara of Des Plaines, attends Our Lady of Destiny School in Des Plaines

8th grade: Isabella Caputo of Des Plaines, attends St. Emily School in Mount Prospect

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All three winning essays were forwarded to the NSDAR District competition.

 

In addition to receiving a “Winner Certificate”, each student read her winning essay to her classmates and received “Allegiance, the Constitution Game”, presented by Twenty-first Star Chapter member, Nancy Meyer.  Each of the 64 students (from 4 schools) 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.

 

The topic for this fall’s contest is: “A Child’s Journey through Ellis Island.” The year 2015 marks the 125th anniversary of Ellis Island 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. Imagine yourself as a child traveling through Ellis Island in 1892. How would you describe your experience to your cousin who has never heard of Ellis Island? For further information, please contact Twenty-first Star Chapter Historian, Nancy Meyer at (847) 824-1150 or HMeyer770@aol.com for the details and specific guidelines for this year’s essay contest.

 

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. Our Twenty-first Star Chapter provides genealogy research assistance. Please contact Dorothy Wilson at (847) 328-6946 for more information.

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