The Chester County Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently held its annual American History Essay Contest awards program, which was presented virtually via Zoom.

According to Elberta Clinton, essay contest chair, each year, nationwide, students in fifth through eighth grades are given the opportunity to compose an essay and have it presented through their schools for evaluation. She related this year's topic: "Nov. 11, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the Nov. 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Describe what this meant to you and your family."

Judging criteria included historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of material, interest, originality and grammar.

The chapter winners were Graham Drummond, a sixth-grade student at Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center, Downingtown, and Claire Bushnell, an eighth-grade student at Peirce Middle School, West Chester.

In his essay, Graham used a diary format. In an entry dated Nov. 14, 1921, Graham wrote, "Warren G. Harding gave a speech introducing the unknown soldier to us. He described the person as being someone and everyone. He represents the rich and the poor, a new citizen or one with deep roots in America."

In her essay, Claire wrote about Ruth, who lost a brother in the war. "Ruth felt a bit of comfort in the knowledge that it was not just her family that had suffered," the essay stated. "As (Harding) said, hundreds, maybe thousands of families like hers were grieving a great loss, and that made her feel a bit less alone."

New this year was a contest for high-schoolers titled, Patriots of the American Revolution. This year's topic was: "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." "The evaluation criteria are the same as the American History Essay Contest," Clinton noted.

The chapter winner was Melissa Griswold, a 10th-grader at Unionville High School. In her essay, Melissa wrote about Nanyehi, later known as Nancy Ward, a Cherokee who advocated for peaceful relationships between the Cherokees and Americans.

Clinton introduced the students, as well as their family members, teachers and school administrators who were also in attendance via Zoom. She also read a biographical piece about each student. For his or her achievements, each of the chapter winners received a certificate, a medal and a monetary award.

DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer women's service organization. Any woman age 18 or older is eligible to join DAR if she can prove a lineal descent from a patriot who rendered military, civil or patriotic service during the Revolutionary War. For more information about membership, visit http://www.dar.org.

More information about the Chester County chapter is available at http://www.ccdar.org.