In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the DAR has launched the "Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest.” This contest focuses on the men and women who figured in the events of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783), and it is hoped that students will find Patriots to write about who will interest and inspire them.

Our education chair, Pat Arnold, collaborated with member Mary Bradshaw to encourage students to write an essay. In all, twelve students participated: eleven are Mary’s students from the Lexington Latin School and another student is homeschooled.

Students were allowed to write about a patriot of their choosing: Patriots may be one of our famous Founders, or an everyday man, woman, or child who supported the American Revolution in ways both large and small. Students were asked to discuss how their chosen Patriot contributed to the founding of the nation. Essays were judged for historical accuracy, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the quality and scope of references, particularly the use of primary sources.

This contest is open to students in public, private, and parochial schools, and registered home-study programs, in grades 9 through 12. Essays from students from all grades will be judged together, with one winning essay chosen at each level. Participating DAR Chapters will select one essay as the chapter winner, to be sent on to the State level; the State will select one essay winner to represent the state for judging at the Division level, and each Division level will also have one winner which will be sent on to the National contest.

We will honor all twelve students who participated in the essay contest. The winner will receive a certificate and a pin, and a check for $100 from the chapter. All participating students will receive a certificate.