Wantagh Middle School seventh grader Isabel Madison and eighth grader Madeline Lehrer were first-place winners in the Daughters of the Revolution 2020-2021 American History Essay Contest.  

The American History Essay Contest was established to encourage students to think creatively about the nation’s history and to learn about important historical events from a different perspective and personal point of view. As chapter winners, Isabel and Madeline received a certificate and bronze medal and their essays will be submitted to the state level.  

The topic for the contest was the Boston Massacre. In writing their essay, participants were instructed to imagine living in Boston and witnessing the events of March 5, 1770. Furthermore, they described their families’ discussion of the massacre and what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British king and parliament. Essays were judged on historical accuracy, adherence to the subject, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling and punctuation, grammar and neatness. 

 Wantagh Secondary Supervisor of Social Studies Dr. Christopher Widman congratulated the students. He said, “Isabel and Madeline should receive special recognition for being named winners of this contest, because the project was entirely voluntary.”