On a recent Sunday afternoon, several Highland Middle School students from Christina Saylor’s eighth grade social studies class were recognized at the Annual George Washington Tea Party for entering an essay contest sponsored by the Wiltwyck Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
The tea party was the culminating event for the 11 students in Grades 5-8 who entered the contest, which focused on the Transcontinental Railroad. Highland students included Adam Cardella, Caitlyn Classey, McKenna Gallinari, Austin Ingraham, Brandin Rosario, Eric Scantlebury, Halia Scott, Alex Vitarius, Reina Vona, and John Paul Vorndran.
These students wrote 800 to 1,000 word essays in which they assumed the role of an immigrant, a Native American, or a settler living in the United States on May 10, 1869, the day the Golden Spike was driven in at Promontory Point, Utah, completing the Transcontinental Railroad.
At the local level, the top essays from each grade were read at the party, which all entrants, their parents, and their teachers were invited to attend. The winning essays from each local chapter were entered in the State-level competition. Eventually, the top essays will be entered in a national contest, where the winners will be awarded a cash prize.
The students who attended the George Washington Tea Party were also given a tour of the Chapter House, which is located in the historic Stockade District of Kingston and has been restored to look much as it might have during the colonial period. Of particular interest was an upstairs ballroom, which is currently being used as a library. Students were able to look at primary source documents and artifacts that date back to the 17th century.
“This essay contest gave the students an opportunity to participate in an authentic historical experience,” Mrs. Saylor said. “This is really what it’s all about.”
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