Each year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution conducts the American History Essay Contest in public, private, parochial schools, and in sanctioned home-study programs.

The Temperance Smith Alston Chapter of Pinehurst, may send one winning essay from each grade to the state chairman for judging. One winning essay from each state will be sent to national. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.

Each participant will be presented a certificate of participation. Medals will be awarded to winners at the local and state levels with monetary awards given to the national winners.

This year’s topic for grades 5-8 is “The Louisiana Purchase-Thomas Jefferson’s Presidential Legacy.” The topic for grades 9-12 is “A Day in the Life of Christopher Columbus, the Explorer.”