FAIRFIELD, CT - The Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, entertained two local students and their families on the evening of Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Old Fairfield Academy.
American History Essay Award Chair Caren Chiarelli and Committee Member Annalise Chiarelli presented medals and certificates to these Fairfield students, who read their award-winning essay submissions to chapter members. They are: Evan Papageorge, a sixth grader from Tomlinson Middle School and Ella Diamond, eighth grader from Tomlinson Middle School. A celebratory reception followed.
Local grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students in public, private, and parochial schools, and those who are home-schoolers, are invited yearly to participate in the American History Essay Contest. The contest was established to encourage young students to think creatively about our nation’s great history and learn about history in a new light. This year’s theme was “A Colonial Family’s Reaction to the Stamp Act.” March 22, 2015 marked the 250th anniversary of the Stamp Act passed by British Parliament in 1765. This new tax required all colonists to pay a tax on every printed piece of paper they used and viewed by the colonists as “taxation without representation.” The students were asked to describe 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. A list of reading resources, both in book and online format, were provided.
From left, American History Essay Awards Committee Member Annalise Chiarelli, Evan Papageorge, Ella Diamond, and American History Essay Awards Chair Caren Chiarelli. Courtesy photo.