Valley Forge Middle Schooler Wins DAR Essay Contest

WAYNE, PA — A sixth grade student at Valley Forge Middle School in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District recently won an essay contest hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Valley Forge Middle School six grade student Leah Koutal won the Jeptha Abbott Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 2020 American History Essay Contest.

On March 3 at a ceremony at the Waynesboro Historic House, DAR Historian and American History Essay Committee Chairperson, Clare Myer, presented Leah with the DAR winner’s certificate and pin, along with a check.

"It was an honor and a privilege to present this award to 6th Grader Leah Koutal who exemplified poise and excellence upon reading her essay," Myer said. "Thank you also to the fabulous history committee, it is a joy to collaborate with you!"

This year’s essay contest was "The Voyage of the Mayflower."

2020 marks the 400th Anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of the Plymouth Colony. The DAR challenged students to imagine being a Mayflower passenger in 1620 and consider what they would take to prepare for the voyage and a new life in the wilderness.

As part of its mission to support the study of American History, the DAR sponsors a history essay contest for fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders each year. The competition is open to all students in public, private, and parochial schools, as well as registered home-study programs.

This year’s DAR American History Committee members consisted of Historian and Committee Chairperson Clare Myer; Regent Anne Peckham; Vice Regents Amanda Quinn & Lisa Gresh; Corresponding Secretary SueEllen Cummins; Treasurer Susie O'Donnell; and junior member Caroline Myer.