The Ponte Vedra Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) named the winners of this year’s American History Essay Contest at the Feb. 7 meeting.
Each winner was presented with a certificate and $50 dollars. Students from grades five through eight were challenged to learn and write about the Second Continental Congress, which was instrumental in the founding of the United States. They were to imagine they were a delegate representing their colony, and to explain what they needed to accomplish for their colony and for the future of our country.
One essay from each grade was selected as the outstanding essay by the Ponte Vedra Chapter DAR and forwarded to the Florida State Society DAR for state level competition.
Zack Hanburry, fifth grader from PVPV Rawlings Elementary School, wrote as a delegate from North Carolina. From Landrum Middle School, Liam Puzey, sixth grade, represented Rhode Island; Kate Hurford, seventh grade, represented Pennsylvania; and Ella Spencer-Gardner, eighth grade, wrote her essay on behalf of the colony of Virginia.
The students read their essays to the Ponte Vedra Chapter DAR members, guests, families, teachers and principals at the meeting.
The National Society DAR selects the topic each year and the program is open to all students in grades five through eight, from all public, private, parochial and home schools. All essays must be received by a local chapter before being forwarded for state consideration.
Ponte Vedra Chapter received 288 essays this year. Florida has 112 active chapters. If your student or school would like to learn more about the American History Essay Program, contact the Chapter Regent at regent.darpontevedra@gmail.com for additional information.
The DAR is a non-political lineage service organization whose purpose is to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. The Ponte Vedra Chapter is very active in the community, supporting numerous projects. It has a monthly social and a book club. The social is the third Tuesday each month at Pussers in Ponte Vedra Beach at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
For more information about DAR and the Ponte Vedra Chapter, go to DAR.org or contact the Ponte Vedra Chapter Regent at regent.darpontevedra@gmail.com
