I am pleased and honored to be chairman of the American History Committee with the Jamison Administration. The American History Committee promotes American history year-round by remembering historically significant people, dates and places. We encourage chapters to honor women who are protecting and documenting American History with the Outstanding Women in American History award. Our essay contests encourage students to learn about America’s beginnings and to think about what it meant to discover a new land and to fight for it.
The annual American History Essay Contest is open to public, private, parochial, or home-schooled students in grades 5 through 8. The chairman looks forward to receiving the winning essays from all 15 Districts! Student writers are asked to:
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. Imagine yourself in the place of such a child taking on important and often adult responsibilities. Describe some of the changes that are taking place in your life and that of your family as you face this new situation. You may portray either a historical child or a fictional child living in the era of the American Revolution.
The essay for the 2013-2014 Contest is to be titled: “The Lives of Children During the American Revolution”. Be sure to check the National website and download the contest forms to present to participating schools as soon as the new school year begins. Essays are due from the schools to Chapters by November 1; from Chapters to Districts by December 1; and from Districts to State by January 1.
The annual Christopher Columbus Essay Contest is open to public, private, parochial, or home-schooled students in grades 9 through 12. Student writers are asked to consider :
Both Christopher Columbus and George Washington are considered heroes from whose lives Americans can draw beneficial lessons. Discuss the similarities and differences between the ways in which Christopher Columbus and George Washington dealt with and overcame the challenges and adversities they faced. What can Americans apply to their own lives from the experiences of these men?
The essay for the 2013-2014 Contest is to be titled: “How Do Americans View Christopher Columbus and George Washington Today?” Be sure to check the National website and download the contest forms to present to participating schools as soon as the new school year begins. Essays are due from the schools to Chapters by November 1; from Chapters to Districts by December 1; and from Districts to State by January 1.
Barbara Volker Debra Amaro
Chairman American History Vice Chairman American History
VolkerDAR@gmail.com dardup.debbie@gmail.com