Local SAR Chapter essay contestant wins Essay Contest

Will Elston, senior at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, won the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution essay contest. The contest is executed on three levels: Chapter, State and National. Elston won the Sgt Maj John Champe Essay contest. His winning essay was sent to the Virginia SAR contest Chairman for judging against essays submitted by the other 29 Chapters in Virginia SAR. Elston was awarded a $1,000 check and an acrylic inscribed with the details of the contest, his name and date. The award was presented at the Virginia Society SAR Annual meeting in Glen Allen, VA on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

His essay was titled "The Virginia Giant and the American Dream". It was about Revolutionary War soldier Peter Francisco. Born about 1760 in the Azores, his parents migrated to Virginia where he was mysteriously abandoned at age 5 on the docks of City Point, Virginia. By age 15 he was 6'6'' and weighed about 260 pounds, a giant of the time. At age 16 he joined the 10th Virginia Regiment. During the war he became renowned for his exploits, earning a reputation as a man who fought bravely, even while wounded. Throughout his life Francisco overcame obstacles to succeed. In the words of author Elston, Francisco is an example of how one can rise from disadvantage to success, largely because of freedom and opportunity in America.

For more information about the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter visit our website at https://johnchampe-sar.org