Darien Student Wins Local, State, Regional DAR Essay Contests

DARIEN, CT — Kalel Attonito, a Hindley Elementary School fifth grade student, was announced in February as the local winner of the Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American history essay contest, but the accolades didn't stop there.

Attonito went on to win the CT-DAR statwide contest for fifth graders, and earlier this month, he won the Northeast Division fifth grade essay contest put on by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

The NE Division is comprised of fifth grade students from Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

For his essay, Attonito was asked to imagine he was a reporter for The Philadelphia Times on May 14, 1897.

On this date, John Philip Sousa debuted his new march, "The Stars and Stripes Forever." The Times editor tasked essay participants with writing an article about the new song, including the overall performance and the public’s reactions.

The song became the national march of the United States on Dec. 11, 1987.

Attonito will read his award-winning essay and receive his award certificate at the CT-DAR Board of Management Meeting on June 8, 2024 at Matthies Hall in Windsor, CT. Matthies Hall is part of the historic Oliver Ellsworth Homestead owned by the CT-DAR.

CT-DAR officers, Good Wife’s River Chapter Regent Karen K. Polett, Chapter members and Attonito's parents, Mekhala and James, are expected to attend, along with Good Wife’s River Chapter Essay Contest Chair Sandi MacPherson.