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From left, DAR Regent Mary Holsey, Caleb Morrow, Meghan Cole, Reece Henry and Assistant Principal Carolyn Haught.

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The Anne Lee Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution presented awards to three Altus Junior High School students in ceremonies held at the school Wednesday. The students wrote essays on “Forgotten Patriots Who Supported American Struggle for Independence.” The contest was open to all students in grades five through eight. The presentations were made by Mary Holsey, Regent of the DAR chapter.

Reece Henry, the eighth grade son of Dr. and Mrs. Rick Henry, took first place honors. He was awarded a certificate, bronze medal and $50. He wrote on Nancy (Nanye’hi) Ward, a Cherokee woman who fought bravely in the battle of Taliwa and sought equality between colonists and Native Americans throughout her entire life.

Caleb Morrow, the eighth grade son of Mr. & Mrs. John Morrow, was the second place winner. He received a certificate and $25 on his essay about the contribution African American slaves made to the Revolution.

Meghan Cole, also an eighth grade student and the daughter of Mr. & Mrs Jim Cole, was awarded third place. She received a certificate and $25 for her essay about Deborah Sampson, a woman who took her dead brother’s name and bravely fought disguised as a man.

All three winners will compete at the state level.

“The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution established the American History essay contest to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s history and learn about history in a new light,” said Holsey. “Each academic year, a unique essay topic is chosen and guidelines are made available. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.”