Approximately 75 local family members, teachers, guests and members of the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), attended the American history essay contest on Saturday, March 5, at the Station in Shepherdstown.

Out of the 168 entries, 12 students earned awards consisting of first, second and third place. Members of the chapter along with nonmembers judged the winning essays from fifth to eighth grade. Schools that participated in the contest included Shepherdstown Elementary and Shepherdstown Middle; and in Martinsburg, Faith Christian Academy and St. Joseph School. This year’s theme was “A Colonial Family’s Reaction to the Stamp Act.”

Students submitted essays that described a colonial family’s discussion about the “new” Stamp Act and what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British King and Parliament. The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act on March 22, 1765, and imposed a new tax on all American colonists. There was a tax on every piece of printed paper including ship’s papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers and playing cards. Although the actual cost of the Stamp Act was relatively small, the law was offensive to the colonists because of the standard it seemed to set.

Fifth grade winners were Ethan Enterline, first place; Michael Hovatter, second place; and Ashton Klein, third place.

Sixth grade winners were Laya Chennuru, first place; Kyle Stern, second place; and Adrianna Nguyen Tran, third place.

Seventh grade winners were Anna Elizabeth Riordan, first place; Skylar Domenico, second place; and Aibblyn Cabral, third place.

Eighth grade winners were Amy Elizabeth Heise, first place; Sophie Crowder, second place; and Ashley Pitzer, third place.

In addition to the Chapter selecting regional winners, first place essays were forwarded to the West Virginia State Society NSDAR for further consideration. The State NSDAR selected the following essay winners: Laya Chennuru, first place for sixth graders; and Anna Riordan, first place for seventh graders.

The Pack Horse Ford Chapter, NSDAR is grateful to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Donald E. Morgan and his wife, Carol, for their continuous generous contribution towards the American History Essay Contest awards. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Morgan made the donation in memory of his father, Colonel John R. Morgan. First place winners received medals, certificates and monetary gifts while second and third place winners received certificates and monetary gifts.

At the request of the Honorable Joe Manchin, III, United States Senator, a U.S. flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 22, 2016 for the National Society Daughter of the American Revolution, Pack Horse Ford Chapter’s 100th birthday. Chapter Regent Cheryl Brown presented this flag and its certificate to Taylor Fritz of the Henrietta Lee Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution (CAR).

Chapter members provided a patriotic theme reception to those in attendance, with the children especially enjoying the red, white, and blue American flag cupcakes, homemade cookies and other snacks. Mary Davis was chairperson and Polly Wharton was the co-chairman. Committee members included Ann Christy, Katherine Genung, Marsha Krashoc, Cheryl Losh, Susie Lynch, Sylvia Rhodes, Cheryl Rodgers, Kathy Sholl, Patty Stealey, Janet Younkin and Betty Reinhart, Chairman Emeritus.

The DAR is a thriving women’s service organization that focuses on work in local communities to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. The Society is in the midst of celebrating its 125th anniversary. Efforts are underway to reflect the strong heritage of the DAR while also focusing on its future. Those who would like to learn more about the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, contact Regent Cheryl Brown at 304-876-3817.

To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.