DAR Essay 2024-2025
DAR AMERICAN HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST
2024-2025
WHAT IS THIS YEAR'S TOPIC?:
“Enjoying a new kind of Tea Party”
Question: In the 1770’s there was a movement of protest from the Colonists against the British due to taxes and laws. Along the eastern coast a growing number of Patriots held “tea” parties. The Boston Tea Party was on December 16, 1773, and the Charlestown, SC Tea Party and the Chester Town Tea Party followed in 1774. In October 1774, 51 women in Edenton, North Carolina, decided to refuse to buy tea from the British because of their high taxes and laws.
In 1774, women in Wilmington, North Carolina, burned their tea for the same reasons.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
All grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students in a public, private, or parochial school, or those who are home schoolers, are eligible. An individual student may submit an entry directly to a DAR chapter if their class or school is not participating. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin. DO NOT SUBMIT A STUDENT PHOTOGRAPH WITH ENTRY.
HOW LONG DOES THE ESSAY HAVE TO BE?
Grades 6, 7, and 8: 600–1,000 words
RESOURCES:
Essay must have a list of all resources utilized.
Four individual resources are expected. Internet resources, if used, should include the electronic address.
** Any essay with information copied directly from sources without using quotes (plagiarized) will be disqualified. **
JUDGING AND AWARDS:
Judging will be based on
historical accuracy
adherence to topic
organization of material
interest
originality
spelling
grammar
and that it is the student’s own work.
Pictures, maps, drawings, graphics, and other such additions will not be considered in judging and should not be included. Judging at the chapter level is by three judges, including at least two non-DAR judges. Judging at other levels is by three judges, all of whom are non-DARmembers. CHAPTER: One essay at each grade level is selected as the chapter winner and forwarded to the state American History chair for state competition or to district/region first. American History essay contest chapter winner certificates and bronze medals may be presented by the chapter if desired. In addition, chapters may present certificates of participation to every student who participates in the essay contest. These supplies are available from the DAR Store. STATE: One essay at each grade level is selected as the state winner and forwarded to the appropriate national division vice chair of American History for division competition. The state winner receives a silver medal and state winner certificate. DIVISION: One essay in each grade is selected as the division winner and forwarded for national competition to the national vice chair. Division winners are presented a division winner certificate. NATIONAL: One essay in each grade is selected as the national winner. A certificate, gold pin and monetary award is presented to each national winner at Continental Congress in June 2024. Winning essays may appear in official DAR communications. Note: All essays must be submitted to a local chapter electronically by a teacher, school or individual student. Essays sent directly to the national chair or vice chair of the essay contest will not be considered.
DEADLINE: November 13, 2024
ESSAY MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
2024-2025
WHAT IS THIS YEAR'S TOPIC?:
“Enjoying a new kind of Tea Party”
Question: In the 1770’s there was a movement of protest from the Colonists against the British due to taxes and laws. Along the eastern coast a growing number of Patriots held “tea” parties. The Boston Tea Party was on December 16, 1773, and the Charlestown, SC Tea Party and the Chester Town Tea Party followed in 1774. In October 1774, 51 women in Edenton, North Carolina, decided to refuse to buy tea from the British because of their high taxes and laws.
In 1774, women in Wilmington, North Carolina, burned their tea for the same reasons.
- Imagine you are one of these women boldly participating in one of these Tea Parties in North Carolina.
- Give details of either the Edenton Tea Party or Wilmington Tea Party, describe the tea party, and why you would choose to join them.
- Then explain if you think it was a good decision.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
All grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students in a public, private, or parochial school, or those who are home schoolers, are eligible. An individual student may submit an entry directly to a DAR chapter if their class or school is not participating. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin. DO NOT SUBMIT A STUDENT PHOTOGRAPH WITH ENTRY.
HOW LONG DOES THE ESSAY HAVE TO BE?
Grades 6, 7, and 8: 600–1,000 words
RESOURCES:
Essay must have a list of all resources utilized.
Four individual resources are expected. Internet resources, if used, should include the electronic address.
** Any essay with information copied directly from sources without using quotes (plagiarized) will be disqualified. **
JUDGING AND AWARDS:
Judging will be based on
historical accuracy
adherence to topic
organization of material
interest
originality
spelling
grammar
and that it is the student’s own work.
Pictures, maps, drawings, graphics, and other such additions will not be considered in judging and should not be included. Judging at the chapter level is by three judges, including at least two non-DAR judges. Judging at other levels is by three judges, all of whom are non-DARmembers. CHAPTER: One essay at each grade level is selected as the chapter winner and forwarded to the state American History chair for state competition or to district/region first. American History essay contest chapter winner certificates and bronze medals may be presented by the chapter if desired. In addition, chapters may present certificates of participation to every student who participates in the essay contest. These supplies are available from the DAR Store. STATE: One essay at each grade level is selected as the state winner and forwarded to the appropriate national division vice chair of American History for division competition. The state winner receives a silver medal and state winner certificate. DIVISION: One essay in each grade is selected as the division winner and forwarded for national competition to the national vice chair. Division winners are presented a division winner certificate. NATIONAL: One essay in each grade is selected as the national winner. A certificate, gold pin and monetary award is presented to each national winner at Continental Congress in June 2024. Winning essays may appear in official DAR communications. Note: All essays must be submitted to a local chapter electronically by a teacher, school or individual student. Essays sent directly to the national chair or vice chair of the essay contest will not be considered.
DEADLINE: November 13, 2024
ESSAY MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
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