Essay Contests

The Sheridan Chapter NSDAR participates in the annual American History Essay Contest for students in grades 5 through 8.  In 2021, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Sheridan Chapter NSDAR will also participate in a new essay contest for high school students focused on figures of the American Revolution.  Details for each of these contests follows. 

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Celebrate America’s History!

Are you in grades 5 through 8? You are invited to participate in the American History Essay Contest

Topic for 2021-2022

November 11, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Describe what this meant to you and your family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation?

Title of Essay:

“The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier””

Open to Grades 5 through 8 Length: 300-600 words (grade 5); 600 to 1,000 words (grades 6, 7, and 8)

One winner will be selected by the Sheridan Chapter for each grade level.  All entrants to this year’s contest will receive a certificate and grade-level winners will also receive a medal and monetary award.  All winning essays selected by our chapter will advance to the Wyoming state level competition.  The Wyoming state winner from each grade will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winners will advance to the national level where the winners are announced. All National winners will receive a certificate, medal and a monetary award.   Deadline for submission to the Sheridan Chapter is December 15, 2021. You can download official contest rules by clicking: (Sheridan Contest Rules 1000)

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Patriots of the American Revolution

DAR High School Essay Contest

Open to Grades 9 through 12 Length: 800 to 1,200 words

Topic: Select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation. Figures may be any person, whether a well-known figure or an everyday man, woman or child who supported the American Revolution in ways large or small.

Students are encouraged to use primary sources (i.e., immediate, first-hand accounts such as letters, diaries, speeches or newspaper reports) for their research, lesser well-known figures are acceptable, but subjects must have been actual participants, i.e. not fictionalized.

All entrants to this year’s contest will receive a certificate.  A single winner will be selected by the Sheridan Chapter and will receive a medal and monetary award.  The chapter winner will advance to the Wyoming state level competition.  The Wyoming state winner will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winner will advance to the national level. The National winner will receive a certificate, pin and monetary award.  Deadline for submission to Sheridan Chapter is December 15, 2021. You can download official contest rules by clicking: (Sheridan Patriot Contest Rules  1002)

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Have questions?  

Please contact the Sheridan American History Committee Chair:  marciagonda8@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing your entries!