West Elementary student wins state essay competition

Macey Bosard, a West Elementary student in Sidney, was the winner of the Nebraska State Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) essay contest in the sixth grade category.

Each year the National DAR American History committee declares a specific topic for all fifth through eighth grade students to research and write a 600- to 1000-word essay following detailed requirements for writing format as well as for the historical accuracy and organization of the material.

Students wrote from various perspectives, from journal entries to first-person perspectives, and even included a bibliography.

The classes topic this year was "A Colonial Family's Reaction to the Stamp Act," said Carol Mason, with the local DAR chapter. The topic is set by the national officers in Washington, DC. After the topic is chosen, it is sent to the state and the local chapters, who are then asked to sponsor the project.

Bosard's essay was the first-place winner in the local American History Essay contest sponsored by The Ft. Sidney Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution.

The first-person narrative essay that Bosard wrote depicts the life of a young girl in 1765 as her colony experiences the implementation of the Stamp Act.

The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. The new tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed.

Bosard said, when learning about the Stamp Act, "you get a new perspective on how things were, and things you would have never known about."

Sarah Wilson, sixth grade teacher at West Elementary, said this is the third year the class has participated in the essay project.

Bosard received a medal and cash awards from both the state and local competitions. The essay now will go on to be judged in the division competition, which will cover multiple states, followed by the nationals if she places first in that level.

National winners receive special certificates, medals and a monetary award. The National winners also get the opportunity to come to the "Continental Congress" in July in Washington, D.C., and will be presented their awards in a ceremony.