Writing in their honor: River City Middle School students earn top spots in American History Essay Contest

In a nearly 1,000-word essay, sixth grader Hailey Farr provided a glimpse into the trials and tribulations experienced by American colonists and the struggles they endured as they fought their way to freedom.

Scarcity of food was a main theme as she wrote from the perspective of Mary Lee Martin, a fictional Massachusetts delegate of the Second Continental Congress.

"Life has been really difficult lately, relating to food; there has been a massive shortage for the past couple of months, and people were becoming malnourished because of this famine," Hailey wrote.

At a Second Continental Congress meeting, Hailey's Mary Lee Martin stood up for the starving colonists and their children, including her own. This behavior would have been unheard of in an era when women were "not allowed to own property, sign legal documents, work or even control their own money. Instead, they were expected to do house chores and attend to their husbands' needs," Hailey noted.

Mary Lee Martin's courage made a difference.

"I will never forget the day of April 15; it was the day that the government of Massachusetts had finally listened to the people," Hailey wrote. "They were sending out over a dozen ships all over the world to receive more food. Some people went on foot but most by boat. The whole country was ecstatic and to celebrate the win; we all teamed up to venture into Lexington for a joyful picnic."

Hailey is one of four River City Middle School students whose essays were recognized Wednesday for excellence by the Daughters of the American Revolution Lt. George Farragut Chapter. Students, parents, teachers and Post Falls Superintendent Dena Naccarato gathered in the school library as DAR members honored students who submitted their works for the American History Essay Contest.

Students were given this writing prompt: "The Second Continental Congress met from May 10, 1775-March 1, 1781, and included delegates from all 13 colonies. This Congress was instrumental in shaping what was to become the United States of America. Imagine that you are a delegate during 1775-1776. Which colony are you from and what will be important for you to accomplish for your colony?"

Hailey and eighth grader Derek Theoret won $50 for penning first-place essays, which will be submitted into the state DAR essay contest with a chance to go to nationals.

Hailey said she was excited her essay was a winner.

"I worked really hard on it," she said. "I love to read, I read a lot. I love writing as well. It was a fun challenge."

Derek wrote about a fictional Pennsylvania delegate, Oliver Pelzändler, who was also a fur trader forced to smuggle goods because of British law.

"Unlike some delegates, he firmly believed that the 13 colonies should separate from Britain," Derek wrote. "He wished to set up a shop west of the Appalachians so he could more easily trade for furs and transport his goods down the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River to sell to the Spanish.

"He would argue that the colonists deserve to use the land that some of their brave leaders like George Washington fought to give them. He wrote that it was their right to use the land many of them fought for. He also planned to state that it didn’t matter what they decided because the war had already begun. He believed the people's hearts were set on gaining independence, and the battles at Lexington and Concord were proof of that. He also wrote that many men such as himself who had never seen combat would still join the fight and if a revolution was going to happen anyway why not support the people, after all, the delegates are meant to represent the people. He thought the colonists couldn’t let one man control all of them and that they deserved to buy goods and sell goods to whoever they wanted."

Derek said it was awesome to be recognized for his essay.

"I really like history, so it was fun to research and come up with what his motivations were and what he would try and talk about at the Second Continental Congress," he said.

Eighth graders Mark Dressler and James Albaugh also received certificates for their outstanding participation. Mark wrote about an Irish immigrant whose father was killed during the Irish uprising of 1648.

"I learned a lot about the Red Coats drill for their marching and their firing in volleys," Mark said.

James said he was proud to participate. He said it was interesting to learn about what was discussed at the Second Continental Congress as he wrote about a patriot from Massachusetts.

"I just feel glad to be here," he said.

The students also received awards from their English teachers.

"I saw all four candidates working really hard on their essays — editing, revising over and over again," said honors English teacher Nancy Hicks.

She said she couldn't be prouder of the research they conducted.

"This was a real challenge," she said. "They got to take a narrative aspect of writing and turn it into realistic historical fiction."

Students from Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy also submitted entries, but all winning entries were from River City Middle School. A committee of DAR members judge the essays and make the final decisions on the top submissions.

"I was so impressed," DAR member Patty Stills said.

DAR member Stephanie Keaty, who heads the essay committee, said she is thrilled to have students participate.

"I just love spurring on their interests," she said. "It encourages them to learn more, to do the research, to find out about history."

DAR sponsors American history and American Revolution essay contests for fifth through eighth graders and for high schoolers. Winners of the high school contest earn $200 and a chance for their essay to go to state and nationals. The contests are open to students in public, private and parochial schools, as well as registered homeschool programs. The contests generally open at the start of the school year with deadlines in December. Winners are selected from each grade level.

Info: ltgeorgefarragut.weebly.com or dar.org