Winners Announced for DAR American History Essay Contest and Good Citizen Award

The annual youth awards hosted by the Signal Hill Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution took place on Saturday, February 23rd at the Barrington United Methodist Church. The youth awards program consisted of two contests; an American History Essay Contest for 5th-8th grade students from several area schools, and one honoring a high school senior nominated by his or her school for the Good Citizen award. Approximately 70 people attended the event including students, family members, friends, teachers, principals and DAR members.

American History Essay Contest

Thirty-eight students from 5 area schools were honored for their participation in the American History Essay Contest sponsored by the Signal Hill Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

This year marks the 125th anniversary of Ellis Island immigration station, and the topic for the contest was “A Child’s Journey Through Ellis Island”. On a typical day, immigrants arriving on the island could expect to spend up to seven hours in processing activities intended to determine whether or not they were legally and medically fit to enter the United States. Students were asked to imagine themselves as a child traveling through Ellis Island in 1892, describing their experiences to a cousin who has never heard of Ellis Island. Essays were judged by an independent panel for creativity, adherence to topic, organization, grammar, spelling and historical accuracy.

Chapter Historian, Joyce Wright announced the winners of the essay contest. Grove Avenue School 5th grade students took top honor with the first through third place winners, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, (1st place), Abigail Arehart and Matthew Conover, (2nd place tie), and Emma Nelson, (3rd place). The students read their essays to the group and were presented with ribbons and certificates. The school also received an engraved plaque presented to Grove Avenue English teacher Todd Wiencek.

Honorable mentions went to 5th grade students Imran Rizvi from Roslyn Road School and Frankie Carter, Timothy Price, Molly Elizabeth Knecht, Anola Madison Edwards, Carter Holl Whaley and Esme DeMuth from Grove Avenue School. Certificates of Participation were awarded to five 5th graders from Grove Avenue School, fifteen 5th graders from Lincoln Prairie, District 300, two Roslyn Road School 5th grade students, three 5th graders from Wauconda Grade School and one 7th grade student from Hampshire Middle School.

Good Citizen Scholarship Winner

Alexis “Lexi” Fye, a senior at Lake Zurich High School was chosen as this year’s Good Citizen award winner. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Students are selected by their teachers and peers and must submit information about their achievements to Signal Hill Chapter.

Megan Boyle, Chairman of the Good Citizen Committee introduced Lexi highlighting her extensive list of achievements that include being editor in chief of her school newspaper/magazine, a member of the National Honors Society, a cheerleader and a gymnastics coach. Her teacher commented that Lexi has an exceptional work ethic, strong leadership skills and a desire to learn and succeed.

As part of the contest, Lexi was required to write an essay entitled “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It” with the focus question of “What does our past tell us about our future?” After sharing her essay with the audience, Lexi was presented with a monetary scholarship. Chapter winners will advance to the District level, District winners to State and State winners to National. National awards for the first, second, and third-place winners include scholarships to the school of their choice.

For more information about Signal Hill Chapter’s student contests visit www.ildar.org/chapters/signalhill