DAR honors local essay winners
The Lt. George Farragut Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution is proud to recognize two local students [and siblings] as DAR essay contest winners.
Students in fifth through eighth grades were invited to write about the voyage of the Mayflower, while high school students were tasked with writing about a sailor’s experiences as part of Christopher Columbus’s first expedition to the Americas.
Fifth-grader Delaney Jensen, a homeschooler, was selected as the American History chapter winner for her essay written from the perspective of being a child on board the Mayflower. Delaney also placed first in the Idaho state and Northwest division competitions. Her essay has now advanced to the national level competition.
Wyatt Jensen, a ninth-grade homeschooler, was selected as the chapter winner of the Christopher Columbus essay contest. Wyatt wrote of telling his firsthand experience as part of Columbus’s crew to a spellbound group gathered at an inn after the voyage.
“Historic preservation and education are part of the DAR’s mission statement,” said Lt. George Farragut Chapter Historian Kim Brown. “Our ancestors survived uncharted courses as they survived voyages on sailboats in the time of the Mayflower and Christopher Columbus. Delaney and Wyatt Jensen utilized a variety of sources to write a narrative. They brought their research and writing skills to a new level and have achieved a very special educational experience. In reading and submitting their essays to further competition, we have been inspired by their efforts. We encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Both contests are open to students in public, private or parochial schools, and those who are homeschooled. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.
Topics for the 2020-2021 contests will be announced in August and will be posted on the chapter website at ltgeorgefarragut.weeby.com.
