dar essay topic 2023

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American History Essay Contest

The American History Essay Contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation's great history and learn about history in a new light.

This contest is open to students in public, private, and parochial schools, and registered home-study programs. Students in grades five through eight are encouraged to participate. Each year, a selected topic for use during the academic year is announced, and contest instructions are published online and sent to schools by participating DAR chapters. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness.

Participating chapters send one winning essay from each of the four grades for judging on the state level. The state will send one winning essay from each of the four grades to be judged on a divisional level. The winning essay from each of the four grades will then be judged on the national level and the winners are announced.

Each student participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter and the chapter winners receive bronze medals and certificates. State winners receive certificates and silver medals. National winners receive special certificates, medals, and a monetary award.

Click here for an informational PDF handout . For additional contest information or guidelines, please contact your local DAR chapter .

Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the DAR has launched the "Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest.” This contest will focus on the men and women who figured in the events of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783), and it is hoped that students will find Patriots to write about who will interest and inspire them.

These Patriots may be one of our famous Founders, or an everyday man, woman, or child who supported the American Revolution in ways both large and small.  Students will be asked to discuss how their chosen Patriot contributed to the founding of the nation. Essays will be judged for historical accuracy, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the quality and scope of references, particularly the use of primary sources.

This contest is open to students in public, private, and parochial schools, and registered home-study programs, in grades 9 through 12. Essays from students from all grades will be judged together, with one winning essay chosen at each level. Participating DAR Chapters will select one essay as the chapter winner, to be sent on to the State level; the State will select one essay winner to represent the state for judging at the Division level, and each Division level will also have one winner which will be sent on to the National contest. Each student participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter and the chapter winners receive a bronze medal and certificate set. State winners receive a silver medal and certificate set. Division level winners receive certificates and a book. National winners receive special certificates, medals, and a monetary award.

The National Society will select first-, second- and third-place winners. The national winner will receive a National Winner Certificate, pin and monetary award, presented at NSDAR’s annual Continental Congress, and the winning essay may appear in official DAR communications. National second- and third-place winners will also receive a certificate and monetary award.

This essay contest is being launched to engage students during the 250 th anniversary of the American Revolution, and is designed to encourage students to think more about the many different people, known and unknown, who were a part of the American Revolution, and perhaps even see themselves in the figures they write about.

For additional contest information or guidelines, please contact your  local DAR chapter .

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DAR announces American History Essay Contest

Students enrolled in fifth through eighth grades are invited to enter the 2023-2024 American History Essay Contest sponsored by the Barrington-based Signal Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The contest reflects the organization's values of historic preservation, education, and patriotism by inviting students to think and write creatively about historic U.S. events, specifically those related to the American Revolution.

This year's essay topic is as follows:

On May 14, 1897, John Phillip Sousa played his new march, "The Stars and Stripes Forever." This song would become the national march of the United States on Dec. 11, 1987. Imagine it is 1897, and you are a newspaper reporter for The Philadelphia Times. Your newspaper editor has asked you to write an article about the song being performed that day. Your article needs to tell us about Sousa's life and the story behind the song. It is the first performance of the song, so make sure your article includes your thoughts about the music and how the audience reacts to what is seen and heard that day.

Depending on the student's age group, essays may be 300 to 1,000 words. All grade five, six, seven and eight students in a public, private or parochial school, or those who are home schooled, are eligible to participate. One essay at each grade level will be selected as the Signal Hill Chapter winner. All winners will be recognized at a DAR Youth Awards event, hosted by the Signal Hill Chapter in early 2024. Winners will go forward in competition with the potential for a national award. Essays must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

For information about the essay contest and its requirements, contact Signal Hill Historian Kat Nosal, via email at [email protected].

The Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, was chartered 50 years ago in Barrington, in 1972. NSDAR is a volunteer women's service organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Due to fund-raising efforts throughout the year, the chapter contributes financially to several 501 (c) (3) organizations whose missions support that of NSDAR.

NSDAR provides more than $1.5 million in scholarships annually. It is the largest group of participants in support of Wreaths Across America. Through its various programs and initiatives, NSDAR strives to increase the awareness of men and women who achieved American independence, including those of diverse backgrounds.

Since its founding in 1890, over one million women have joined both nationally and around the world. Membership in NSDAR is open to any woman, aged 18 and over, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.

For information about the Barrington-based chapter, visit: signalhilldar.com .

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ELA Brave and True by Marilyn Yung

DAR Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest

High school essay contest

Looking for a high school writing contest this fall? Look no further than the Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest. In my previous teaching position, a few of my high school students participated in this contest as part of our Writer’s Workshop routine. Entering the contest was one of the options they could choose for their portfolios.

If you’re not familiar with the DAR, here’s a brief intro from the organization’s website: “The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.”

My students have had great success with the  DAR Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest.  Within the last three years, two of my students have written essays that won at both the local and state level, where monetary prizes were awarded. Needless to say, I’m very proud of those students!

This year’s 2022-2023 contest guidelines sheet details the topic, length (800-1,200 for 6-8 grades), format, and bibliography details. (Note: Each DAR chapter designates their own individual due dates. Check with your local chapter by locating it here on the  national DAR website’s chapter locater. )

Here’s the high school essay prompt:

“Select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation. Your figure may be any person, whether a well-known figure or an everyday man, woman or child who supported the American Revolution in ways large or small.”

With that prompt in mind, here’s my advice to your students:

Choose a lesser known patriot. Go beyond the founding fathers to find and write about a patriot whom the judges won’t be as familiar with. My student who won at state last year, for example, wrote about the patriot Nancy Hart.

Download the contest guidelines by clicking the button below:

And here’s my last tip:.

Tell your students to get creative and go beyond the traditional informative essay. Blend genres, combining, for example, a journal entry with a biographical piece.

I encourage you to try the DAR Patriots of the American Revolution High School Contest with your high school students. It was a mainstay in my classes.

Thanks for reading!

Have you ever tried a DAR contest? Leave a comment below or send me a message via my  Contact Page.  If you need more info, please ask. I’ll be glad to help you however I can.

I thoroughly believe that  writing contests  can infuse ELA with relevance and a dash of project-based learning. Whenever students know their words will enter “the real world” and be reviewed by real people, it makes them take the work more seriously.

Need a new poetry idea?

Enter your email below and I’ll send you this PDF file that will teach your students to write Treasured Object Poems , one of my favorite poem activities. I know your students will enjoy it!

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DAR announces winners of American History essay contest

The Libertad Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 American history essay contest.  

Many students in grades 5-8 competed, and the topic was about John Philip Sousa. It is evident that the students worked diligently researching this topic, as it was very difficult to choose one winner from each grade.  

The winners this year are Parker Davis, a fifth grader from Devers Elementary, Hutton Evans, a sixth grader from Liberty Middle School, Mason Matlock, a seventh grader from Liberty Middle School, and Jackson Harris, an eighth grader from Liberty Middle School.  

Congratulations to these 4 young men!  They will be recognized at DAR’s April 2024 meeting where they will each read their essays.

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Santa Monica Chapter, NSDAR Santa Monica, CA

Scholarships, Contests and Awards

For further details and deadlines, please contact our chapter regent .  , dar scholarships.

For details on some of the National scholarships offered, go to the NSDAR Scholarship page .  To access the DAR Scholarship Committee's online scholarship application portal,  click here .  DAR members should notify their chapter of their participation.  Entrants who are non-DAR members must be sponsored by a DAR Chapter. Please contact the regent for more information. 

The California State Society DAR (CSSDAR) scholarship for Native Americans is awarded annually. Contact the Chapter Regent to notify her of your application and follow the detailed directions on each form below. 1.  American Indians Committee California Indian Scholarship Information 2. American Indians Committee California Indian Scholarship Application 3. American Indians Committee California Indian Scholarship Financial Need Form

Constitution Week Poster Contest

DAR and non-DAR members are invited to participate in the Constitution Week Poster Contest. So, grab your favorite art tools and plan your project!  All entries must be received by the chapter regent by January 1.  Please inform the regent before beginning.

• The winning poster will be printed in the spring of 2024 and offered for sale at the DAR store.
• For this year's theme, the poster should illustrate/celebrate the spirit or meaning of the U.S. Constitution. .
• For the most recent Constitution Week Poster Contest Guidelines and form, please contact the Regent.

DAR American History Essay Contest

Chapters may reach out to students in the community and do not need to go through just the schools; libraries, church and youth organizations can also participate, but please stay within the state of your chapter.

One essay at each grade level can be selected as the chapter winner and forwarded to the state competition .  DAR chapters will then send the winner's essay, title sheet found in forms, and three judges sheets also found in forms, by email to the State Chairman American History for state competition.  For more information, please visit the NSDAR's  Essay Contests  webpage.  This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin.  

The TOPIC for 2023-2024

“The Stars and Stripes Forever" --- On May 14, 1897, John Philip Sousa played his new march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”  This song would become the national march of the United States on December 11, 1987. Imagine it is 1897 and you are a newspaper reporter for The Philadelphia Times. Your newspaper editor has asked you to write an article about the new song performed that day. Your article needs to tell about Sousa’s life and the story behind the song. It is the first performance of the song, so make sure your article includes thoughts about the music and how the audience reacts to what was seen and heard that day.

Title of Essay:  Stars & Stripes Forever Length 300-1,000 words (depending on grade level, please check forms) Please note that the entire essay must be the student’s original work. This includes all research, writing, and editing, which must be done by the student only and not by a parent, teacher, tutor, or other helper. Essays not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

AMERICAN HISTORY CONTEST FLYER (AHC1004)  AMERICAN HISTORY CONTEST INFORMATION  (AHC1000) AHC Study Guide - Contact your local DAR Chapter AHC JUDGE'S SCORING SHEET (AHC1001) AHC Electronic Contest Submission Form (AHC1008) - DAR USE ONLY (available at State level) American History Committee Essay Contests Cover Sheet and Signature Form (AHC1009) - DAR USE ONLY (available at State level)

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Deadlines for Essay Contests: Schools to Chapters: November 6 Chapters to District: December 4 Districts to State: January 2 States to Divisions: February 15 Divisions to National: March 15

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Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest

In 2021, NSDAR established a new high school-level essay contest focused on figures of the American Revolution, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. 

The contest is open to students in grades 9th -12th in public, private, or parochial schools, or those who are in registered home school programs. All grades will be judged together, with one chapter winner chosen to move on to the next stage of judging .  This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin.   For more information, please visit the NSDAR's  Essay Contests  webpage.  Please contact your local DAR Chapter for more resources and to let them know you'd like to participate.

The TOPIC for 2023-2024: 

Students are encouraged to use primary sources (i.e., immediate, first-hand accounts such as letters, diaries, speeches, or newspaper reports) for their research. Lesser well-known figures are acceptable, but subjects must have been actual participants, i.e. not fictionalized.

Patriots of the American Revolution DAR Essay Contest Suggested Reading Resources (these are a few suggestions of the many resources available):       Liberty’s Daughters: The Revolutionary Experience of American Women, 1750-1800 by Mary Beth Norton       The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution: Forgotten Black Heroes by William Cooper Nell       Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts       Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick       Bernardo de Galvez: Spanish Hero of the American Revolution by Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia       John Adams by David McCullough       Patriot Hero of the Hudson Valley: The Life and Ride of Sybil Ludington by Vincent T. Dacquino

PATRIOTS ESSAY CONTEST FLYER PATRIOTS ESSAY INFORMATION  (AHC1002) PATRIOTS JUDGE'S SCORING SHEET  (AHC1003) American History Committee Essay Contests Cover Sheet and Signature Form (AHC1009) - DAR USE ONLY (available at State level)

DAR Good Citizens

Each year the Santa Monica Chapter, NSDAR, honors a local high school senior with the DAR Good Citizens award recognizing an individual who exemplifies by demonstration, the qualities of a good citizen: dependability, service, leadership and patriotism! 

This program is open to senior-class students enrolled in accredited public or private secondary schools that are in good standing with their state boards of education. Along with the honor of the award, the recipient receives a DAR Good Citizens pin and certificate. This student is then eligible to enter the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship Contest. 

Have your school's counselor contact our chapter for instructions and deadlines.  For more information, please visit the DAR Good Citizens  webpage.

GOOD CITIZENS FLYER

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and Junior ROTC (JROTC) Awards

Every Spring, our chapter presents  ROTC medals to outstanding high school and college cadets in the local area.  For more information, please visit the NSDAR Medals webpage.

Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans Award

This award is presented to a DAR member in recognition of her outstanding care given to veterans in any of the following areas: Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, state veterans facilities, nursing homes, shelters, and outpatient clinics. The Outstanding Veterans Volunteer has given more than her time. She has made meaningful contributions to veterans through creative and resourceful outreach.

Outstanding Teacher of American History

The Outstanding Teacher of American History contest honors full-time teachers of American history, government, or civics for grades five through twelve.  Our chapter's nominee won the national competition to become the NSDAR 2021 Outstanding Teacher of American History.  See more in our NEWS webpage.

Photos courtesy of NSDAR

National society daughters of the american revolution, california state society daughters of the american revolution.

New York State Organization, NSDAR

Sun, Jan 15

P.O. Box 8, Chelsea, NY 12512

American History Essay Contest (1/15/23) - CORRECTION

Make sure all winning essays are submitted by January 15, 2023

Time & Location

Jan 15, 2023, 11:50 PM

About the event

American History Committee

Have you selected your winners in the American History Committee's essay contests? If not, please do so in coming weeks by following the information provided in the National Information Packet under this committee.

You must MAIL your winners (for the 5-8 and the high school contests) to me NO LATER than January 15, 2023, at the address below to be considered for statewide judging. Good luck!

Let's bring home a national winner for New York this year!

Denise Doring VanBuren

NYS American History Committee Chair

Chelsea, NY 12512

More about the American History essays available here: https://www.members.dar.org/members/committees/service-committees/american-history/committee-purpose

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Meet this Year's American History Essay Winners

The American History Essay Contest welcomes essays from students in grades 5 through 8, all centered on a theme that changes annually, often to commemorate the anniversary of an important event. The 2021-2022 American History Essay Contest commemorates the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery. This monument was dedicated on Armistice Day in 1921, with a ceremony led by President Harding.

In their essays, students were asked to write from the perspective of a young person whose brother had lost his life in The Great War, and who had traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to be present with their family at the dedication. Students wrote about what this even meant to them and why they believed remembering those who gave their lives for our country is so important. 

This year, over 23,000 students entered the American History Essay Contest, from all 50 states. The Southeast Division was particularly active, with over 8,800 students participating, and the South Central and East Central divisions were also active with over 3,700 and 3,500 students participating, respectively. Chapters, states and divisions gathered the entries and enlisted a variety of distinguished judges to read and rank the essays. Winners from each level are forwarded to the next level. This committee wishes to thank the enthusiastic involvement of so many chapters across the country and in the Units Overseas.

The winners are:

First place

Elizabeth “Mei-Mei” Payne, a 5th grader from Kansas City, Missouri, who was sponsored by the Mission Hill Chapter in Kansas.

Catherine Hogan, a 6th reader from Farmington, CT, sponsored by the Abigail Phelps Chapter in Connecticut.

Lana Chan, a 7th grader from Cottonwood Heights, UT, sponsored by the Uintah Chapter. in Utah.

Alaina Voeller, an 8th grader from Newberg, Oregon, sponsored by the Yamhill Chapter in Oregon.

Second place

Abigail Lilly, a 5th grader from Marshall, North Carolina, sponsored by the Rebecca Sevier Waddel Chapter in North Carolina.

Ainsley Voeller, a 6th grader from Newburg, Oregon, sponsored by the Yamhill Chapter in Oregon.

Isadora Nassa, a 7th grader from Riverside, Connecticut, sponsored by the Putnam Hill Chapter in Connecticut.

Savannah Clingan, an 8th grader from Hays, Kansas, sponsored by the Courtney Spalding Chapter in Kansas.

Third place

Sophia Thompson, a 5th grader from Meridien, Idaho, sponsored by the Ee-dah-how Chapter in Idaho.

Mathias Mayo-Hostetter, a 6th grader from Los Angeles, California, sponsored by the Beverly Hills Chapter in California.

Phoebe Turner, a 7th grader from Kelly, Wyoming, sponsored by the Davey Jackson Chapter in Wyoming.

Sam Longhurst, an 8th grader from Lehi, Utah, sponsored by the Wasatch Range Chapter in Utah.

The first place winners from each grade will be presented with a pin, certificate and monetary award on stage at the Education Awards Night during Continental Congress. The second and third place winners will receive a certificate and monetary award. The National First Place Winners’ essays will be on display in the Americana Room during Continental Congress.

This committee is also delighted to see a number of familiar names: students who have entered in the past have entered again, and sets of siblings, both who have entered in their respective grade levels this year, and siblings who have entered over the past few years. We can see that students do enjoy this contest and look forward to writing essays again, and we thank all the chapters across the country and from Units Overseas for promoting this contest and making it such a successful way to reach out to our local communities!

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Historic preservation, education, patriotism.

Through restoring historic properties, funding scholarships and supporting our troops, DAR makes a difference in local communities.

DAR announces essay contests

The Lt. George Farragut Chapter and the new Pleasantview Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution are seeking entries for two American history essay contests for local students in grades five through 12.

Both contests are open to students in public, private or parochial schools and to homeschoolers. 

"This is a wonderful opportunity for students to exercise their creativity and writing skills while honing their research skills,” said Susan Snodderley, who chairs the committee sponsoring the contests for the Lt. George Farragut Chapter.

The American History Essay Contest is open to students in grades five through eight. This year’s essay topic touches a musical note familiar to almost everyone. On May 14, 1897, John Philip Sousa, the great American composer and conductor known for American military marches, played his new march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” This song would become the national march of the United States Dec. 11, 1987. Students participating in this contest are asked to imagine it is 1897 and they are a newspaper reporter for the Philadelphia Times. Their newspaper editor has asked them to write an article about the song being performed that day. The article needs to talk about Sousa’s life and the story behind the song. It is the first performance of the song, so the article needs to include thoughts about the music and how the audience reacts to what is seen and heard that day. Each DAR chapter may award one winner in each grade who will advance to the state-level competition. 

The Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest is open to students in grades nine through 12. Students are to write about someone — famous or unknown — who influenced the course of the American Revolution and the founding of a new nation. The winning essay for each DAR chapter will advance to the state-level competition.

Entries must be submitted by Dec. 15.

For complete details and guidelines, Post Falls students are encouraged to contact Connie McGee at the Pleasantview Chapter at [email protected]. All others should contact Susan Snodderley at [email protected]

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News | St. Clair County news briefs: DAR scholarship winner announced; road work underway; more

DAR scholarship winner announced

The Ottawa Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in Port Huron recently announced the DAR Good Citizen Essay Scholarship winner for the 2023-2024 school year is Rachel Case.

Case, a senior at New Life Christian Academy in Kimball Township, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Case, of Columbus Township, according to a news release.

“She is a high-achieving student and leader and a young woman of character who’s active in student government and athletics,” the organization said. “She plays violin in an orchestra, has bred and raised animals for 4-H and competed in forensics in Science Olympiads. In the fall, she’ll either attend the University of Michigan or Hillsdale College, where she has been awarded Merit Scholarships to study Biomedical Science.”

Case attended Ottawa Chapter’s April meeting, where she introduced herself and read her essay. She received a commemorative pin, a certificate of achievement from the chapter and a $300 scholarship. Her essay will now be judged at the state level.

DAR Good Citizens Scholarships are in their 90th year. They’re given to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The award recognizes and rewards high school seniors who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities.

DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s volunteer service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. For more information about DAR and the Good Citizen program, email [email protected] or visit ottawa.michdar.net.

Foundation to host annual Cinco de Mayo dinner

The Algonac Clay Community Foundation will host its annual Cinco de Mayo scholarship and grant dinner on May 2 at Fred Quant VFW Post 3901, located at 1005 Pointe Tremble Road in Algonac.

The event will include a 50/50, a cash bar, food, raffles and wagon of cheer, a flyer for the event states. All funds support local kids and community groups.

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., food will be served at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, which cost $25, are available at Algonac City Hall, Amiels Enterprises Inc. or the Clay Township offices.

New date added for lighthouse painting class series

A new date has been added for the Ira Township Yellow Brush Michigan lighthouses painting class series.

The new session will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at Ira Township Hall, located at 7085 Meldrum Road. During the session, attendees will paint a Michigan lighthouse.

The cost of the class is $35, and those interested are asked to preregister for supply purposes and to reserve a seat before May 2.

Those interested can register at the township offices from 7 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Those unable to register in person can drop off payment with the specific class on the memo line of the check in the drop box located in the township parking lot or mail it to Ira Township Parks and Recreation, 7085 Meldrum Road, Ira Township, MI 48023.

For more information, call Anna at 586-339-3969 or email Babisz at [email protected].

Concert series presents Devin Scillian, Arizona Son

The Festival Concert Series at First United Methodist Church of Port Huron, located at 828 Lapeer Ave., will be featuring Devin Scillian and his band Arizona Son as its closing concert for the 2024 season on May 4.

“Devin is equally at home on your television, on your bookshelf and on your iTunes,” a recent press release states. “Children, teachers and parents know him as a writer. Television viewers know him as their evening news anchor. And music lovers know him as the winner of the prestigious Detroit Music Award for Best Country Performer. An accomplished musician and songwriter, Devin has released four albums of his original songs. He and his band Arizona Son make frequent appearances on the summer concert circuit. Devin and his band have opened for the likes of Toby Keith, Reba McEntire and LeAnn Rimes.”

The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m.

“We are delighted to honor the many requests to bring a country musician to our series,” the release states. “Please come and join us for an evening of wonderful music.”

Adult tickets cost $17 in advance and $20 at the door and student tickets cost $5. They can be purchased by visiting the Port Huron Music Center or calling First United Methodist Church.

For more information, call First United Methodist Church of Port Huron at 810-985-8107.

PHN girls basketball finishes first in state for academics

Port Huron Northern High School’s girls basketball team recently finished their season with the achievement of holding the highest GPA average in the state, according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

“Their weighted team GPA is 3.986382979, placing them at ‘#1 in the State for BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan) All-Academic Teams,’” Port Huron school officials said in a news release. “This achievement was not exclusive to the girls teams throughout the state. It also qualified as the highest GPA of all of the boys teams throughout the state, making this team truly #1 All-Academic.”

The team was recognized on April 15 at the Port Huron Schools’ Board of Education meeting. Many of the team members were not able to attend the recognition because they are also players in spring sports that were taking place that same evening.

“We celebrate the exceptional academic achievement of these students who are so multifaceted with their talents,” Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Catherine Woolman said. “They serve as true role models to other athletes across our district and the entire state. We take pride in their accomplishments with how they represent Port Huron Schools in the both the classroom and their basketball program.”

Roadwork underway

Area motorists will see a handful of road and intermittent lane closures as various projects are completed throughout St. Clair County.

All projects are weather dependent. Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

• Clay Township: Stone Road between High and Swartout roads will have intermittent lane closures starting April 29 due to asphalt paving.

• Fort Gratiot Township: Brace Road between M-25 and Parker Road will have a full road closure from April 29 to May 1 due to a crossroad culvert replacement.

• Ira Township: Arnold Road between Church and Meldrum roads will be closed through May 3 due to a crossroad culvert installation and road widening project.

• Port Huron Township: Maywood and Riverwood Heights drives will have intermittent lane closures during the week of April 29 due to chip seal patching.

• Port Huron Township: Michigan Road between Lapeer Road and West Water Street will have intermittent lane closures during the week of April 29 due to a ditching project.

• Wales Township: Stapleton Road between Dunn and Webb roads will have a full road closure from April 30 to May 2 due to Asphalt crushing.

• Wales Township: Fox Road between Sparling and Webb roads will have a full road closure on May 1 and 2 due to asphalt crushing.

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Why I want to be Miss Michigan

Update: On April 21, Alma was crowned Miss Michigan USA 2024.

Service comes in many forms and my only limitations are the ones I accept. This has been my guiding credo, an unshakeable belief that has fueled my path as an Afro-Latina woman from a predominantly white, rural Midwestern town, to compete as the first active-duty Army officer in Miss Michigan USA.

As a little girl, I found power in my story and culture, one rooted in grit, hard work, and striving for something better. From my mother, a migrant worker from the age of six, I learned never to say “I can’t.” She would go on to compete as a Division 1 track and field athlete, a pursuit that lifted her out of poverty and changed the course of her life. When I decided at 14 to compete in Miss Michigan Teen USA, she sewed the dress that I wore — adding hundreds of beads to a handed-down gown. My mom had also competed in her state pageants growing up, teaching local dance classes to pay for her pageant fees. She refused to allow her circumstances to define her destiny, and competing served to build her self-confidence and determination to set and achieve goals. Other contestants may be drawn to pageants for their glitz and glamour, but I see the stage as an opportunity to represent the many girls of color who often go unseen and unheard, and to inspire others to free themselves from circumstances and perceptions about who they are.   

When I was 16, my parents presented me with the opportunity to attend West Point’s Summer Leaders Experience, a weeklong immersion into the military and academic life of a cadet. My father was the first Army officer in the family, and I was excited to follow in his footsteps, push my physical limits, and hone my leadership skills. From my first day on campus, I knew the United States Military Academy at West Point was for me.  

My high school peers, however, reacted to my decision with raised eyebrows and laughter. “There’s no way I could see you giving commands or leading a mission,” a volleyball teammate told me. I had recently placed first runner-up in Miss Michigan Teen USA, had modeled across the Midwest for years, and dreamed of representing my state at Miss USA. I was also a math nerd who believed in service and the pursuit of excellence. Without thinking twice, I applied to just one school and set my sights on West Point, New York.  

I arrived at my new rockbound highland home, excited to fit in with the rest of the entering class, but I quickly learned that sometimes the best plans don’t survive first contact. I was a 5’9” lanky girl, with a vision board covered in photos of math equations, designer bags, and former Miss Michigan USAs. Surrounded by students with long lineages of Army generals and West Point diplomas, I was working to become just the second officer in our family. No matter how much camouflage I wore, I had no chance of blending in. 

Walking the halls of the Academy, I would stay focused on what it meant to serve. I’d watched my father serve nearly a decade overseas and admired my mother’s tireless service as a high school administrator. Inspired by my family’s example, I envisioned the possibility of serving my country and my home state by becoming the first active-duty Army officer to win Miss Michigan USA. As I worked on becoming a skilled and confident Army officer, I found parallels within the Miss Universe organization. The Army offers unlimited opportunities to those looking to excel. Moreover, as a Military Intelligence officer, I resonated with the branch motto: “Always out front.” I hope to exemplify Army officers who are “out front” through their service, leadership, and record of achievement. Similarly, the Miss Michigan USA competition gives me the platform to inspire others to ignore perceived limitations and to demand excellence in every aspect of their lives.  

As the only female mathematical science major in my West Point class, I eagerly sought out opportunities to work on issues that have personal significance. My mother and her family were migrant workers who severely suffered from poverty and food insecurity. Knowing hers was not a unique story, I used mathematical models to investigate the relationship between U.S. nutrition and health and the Army’s recruitment crisis. During senior year, I published my undergraduate research thesis on body-mass index and its implications on the Army’s recruiting goals in Military Medicine . The Army’s greatest asset is its people and, as an all-volunteer force, we cannot be a strong, unified front when millions throughout the country are suffering the effects of food insecurity and poor diets.  

As a Knight-Hennessy scholar at Stanford, I am earning an MS in data science while furthering my research on diet and food insecurity at the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group. Being part of Knight-Hennessy Scholars has been a dream come true, a place where I feel loved and supported to pursue excellence in all forms. It has reinforced my belief that the only limitations are the ones we accept. In following my dreams, I have traveled from a small town in the Midwest to the U.S. Military Academy to Stanford University. As I prepare to return to Michigan and walk across the stage in Port Huron on April 21, I am propelled by the stories of those who have aimed high while serving others. If I become the first active-duty Army officer chosen as Miss Michigan USA, my success will be showing others the many meanings of service—and what comes from freeing yourself from limitations.  

Alma Cooper (2023 cohort) is a Knight-Hennessy scholar pursuing a master’s degree in statistics (data science track) at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences. She is passionate about elevating the voices of underrepresented minorities through data science.

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