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Local students win DAR Essay Contest

By Staff | Apr 19, 2013

Shepherdstown elementary and middle school students participated in an American History Essay Contest sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Pack Horse Ford Chapter.

The chapter received 59 essays to judge from fifth through eighth graders. Over 40 parents, teachers, students and chapter members gathered at the Station at Shepherdstown on Tuesday evening, March 12, to hear the first place winners read their essays.

Essay winners included first place: Mabel R. D. Patchell (grade 5), Alex Yates (grade 6), Arianna Ramseier (grade 7), and Ally Ward (grade 8); second place: Danielle L. Danson (grade 5), Sahara Ellis (grade 7), and Avery Younis (grade 8); and third place: Abigail E. Blake (grade 5), Madeleine Pitcher (grade 7) and Sara Miskus (grade 8). The theme this year was “Forgotten Patriots Who Supported the American Struggle for Independence.” Each winner received a cash award and certificate. First place winners also received a first-place medal.

Essay committee members included Chairman Mary Davis, Betsy Donohoe, Pat Donohoe, Susi Lynch, Cheryl Rodgers, Kathy Sholl, Patty Stealey, Polly Wharton and Janet Younkin. A reception, hosted by the committee, followed the readings.

Also attending the evening’s events was Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Donald E. Morgan, who made a donation to the chapter’s fund to be disbursed among the first place winners.

It is time once again for the chapter’s annual chartered bus tour, which helps support chapter’s charitable community works including awards for the American history essay contest participants. The public is welcome to join the chapter on the trip to Baltimore on Saturday, June 15. The day will begin with a docent boarding the bus to give a custom tour of Baltimore’s historic sites. Lunch will be served in the beautiful Peabody Court Hotel’s private dining room with a spectacular panoramic view of the city.

In the afternoon, participants will visit the Maryland History Society Museum’s special temporary exhibit featuring the life, love, and fashion of Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte. Although Betsy was a native of Baltimore, her marriage to Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger brother became an international drama. Other highlights of the tour will include one of only three surviving Revolutionary War officer’s uniforms in America; an extensive collection of Confederate and Union uniforms; a collection of important flags, including one of the only surviving examples of a Civil War flag carried by an African-American regiment; 400 pieces of veneered and painted furniture from the early 19th century; the world’s largest collection of Baltimore Album quilts; and the world’s largest collection of paintings by members of the Peale family.

Seating on the bus is limited to 50 and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to receive a bus trip reservation form, contact Regent Cheryl Brown at 304-876-3817.

Bus trips like these help the DAR to “Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, and Invest in the Future.” To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.