JACKSON, Wyo. — The Davey Jackson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) has announced that three local students have been recognized for their historical essays.
This year D.A.R. sponsored two essay contests, the American History Essay Contest (AHEC) for grades 5 through 9 and the Patriot Essay Contest for high school students. This year’s AHEC essay contest topic was “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”. The Patriot Essay Contest required students to select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773- 1783) and to discuss how this individual contributed to the founding of a new nation.
The three local students being recognized are Kamia Runyan, Phoebe Turner and Amalie Scherbel who submitted winning entries. Runyan and Turner who won for their AHEC entries will receive a certificate, D.A.R. bronze medal, check for $50, a pocket-sized copy of the United States Constitution and a book focusing on the time period of the American Revolution. Scherbel, who won for her Patriot Essay Contest entry will receive a certificate, D.A.R. bronze medal, check for $100, and a pocket-sized copy of the U.S. Constitution.
The D.A.R. established these annual essay contests to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great history and learn about history in a new light. Each academic year, unique essay topics are chosen and guidelines are made available. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, references utilized, adherence to topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.
Turner is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Turner and attends the 7th grade at Mountain Academy at Teton Science Schools. Miss Turner’s essay is entitled: “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: You Are Not Alone”.
Runyan is the daughter of Jana and Buck Runyan and attends the 8th grade at Big Piney Middle School. Miss Runyan’s essay is entitled: “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”.
Scherbel is the daughter of Holli and Karl Scherber and attends 11th grade at Star Valley High School. Miss Scherbel’s essay is entitled: “Contributions of Henry Knox to the American Revolution”.
The essays submitted by all three girls will now advance to the Wyoming state level. The Wyoming state winner from each grade of the AHEC and from the Patriot Essay Contest will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winners will advance to the national level where the winners are announced. All National winners will receive a certificate, medal and a monetary award. Judging at the state level will be completed by the end of February.
