Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest

The Patriots of the American Revolution essay contest is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 in public, private, or parochial schools, or those who are home schooled. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin.

Essays should be 800-1,200 words and 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. 

The Brigadier General James Brickett – Old Newbury Chapter is accepting essays through December 23, 2022 and will select a winning essay by January 15, 2023.   

The Chapter’s winning essay will be sent on to the State level; the State will select one essay winner to represent the state for judging at the Division level, and each Division level will also have one winner which will be sent on to the National contest. Each student participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter and the chapter winners receive a bronze medal and certificate set. State winners receive a silver medal and certificate set. Division level winners receive certificates and a book. National winners receive special certificates, medals, and a monetary award.

This essay contest is a wonderful opportunity to engage students during the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. It complements the American History essay contest, which is for students in the 5th through 8th grades. 

More information about the essay contest from NSDAR: https://www.dar.org/national-society/education/essay-contests.

2022-2023 Essay Topic

For the Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest participating students should select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783) and 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.

Essays should be submitted to essays@brickett-oldnewbury.org by midnight on December 23rd, 2022.