Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter recognized four students in grades 5-8 from El Dorado Hills and Carmichael. The students were awarded bronze medals for their winning essays marking the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. One essay at each grade level was selected as the chapter winner in the ceremony held January 24, 2022 at the Folsom Veterans Hall.

Winning essays were submitted by Samantha Vieira, grade 5, Lakeview Elementary School, El Dorado Hills; Lyzee Claire Voight, grade 6, Victory Christian School in Carmichael; and Janae Drummond, grade 7, and Peyton Oxford, Grade 8, both from the John Adams Academy in El Dorado Hills.

Students were asked to imagine losing a brother on the battlefields of France during World War I and then attending the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. They were asked to describe what this meant to them and their family, and why it is important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation.

The four winning essays recently selected as chapter winners will be forwarded to the CSSDAR American History chair for state competition. After reading each of their winning essays aloud at the ceremony, the students were then awarded a certificate and a bronze medal which signifies their achievements at the chapter level.