The Lake Minnetonka Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is proud to announce the deserving winners of its 2023 student essay competition. The DAR honors top students with awards that recognize their potential as future leaders through their writing skills and passion for American history.
Students were invited this year to imagine themselves as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War and write about their experience shaping the direction of the new United States of America.
Wayzata West Middle School eighth grader, Shriya Singh, is the winner of the DAR Student Excellence in History Award. Shriya’s essay explores how the unity of the thirteen colonies around the ideas of equality and liberty was key to earning their independence from Great Britain. She also enjoyed learning about the role of women in the American Revolution. “Women,” she says, “spearheaded volunteer organizations to sew uniforms, make bullets, and raise funds for the war efforts.” In addition to being a talented writer, Shriya is a student athlete and musician who loves to play tennis and the flute.
Wayzata West Middle School student, Anish Kommalapati, is the Lake Minnetonka Chapter DAR’s first-place essay winner at the 7th grade level. Anish believes, “there were many brilliant people working behind the scenes during the history of the American Revolution and it is important to give these people the credit they deserve.” He also believes that America “has thrived because it learned from the past and must continue to do so in order to grow.” This well-rounded student competes in both Science Bowl and Math Counts. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and Xbox.
North Woods Elementary student, Madelyn Checketts, is the Lake Minnetonka Chapter DAR and Minnesota State DAR’s first-place essay winner at the 5th grade level. Madelyn believes studying America’s history is important “because every one of us should know what and who came before us. We know not to repeat all the wrong things we did, but we know that we can repeat the good deeds we learn about.” In addition to being an avid reader, Madelyn enjoys playing piano and soccer. She also loves snuggling with her two dogs, Bruno and Duke. “Duke,” she adds, “was supposed to be a mini Bernedoodle, but ended up being an 80-pound Bernese!”
The Lake Minnetonka Chapter DAR is also proud to honor St. Michael Albertville Middle School Teacher, Blair Huggins, with an Outstanding American History Teacher award. Mr. Huggins teaches 7th grade Social Studies and is a self-described “history geek.” He is well-known and treasured by students and parents alike for the creative ways he brings history to life. His engaging classroom is decorated with fascinating American history objects and his lessons are animated by creative technology. Perhaps the highlight of the school year is when Mr. Huggins dresses up as Abraham Lincoln to teach his students about leadership during the American Civil War. “The DAR admires the talents of history teachers like Mr. Huggins who are able to excite students about American history,” says Lake Minnetonka Chapter DAR American History Chair, Terry Anderson. In addition to his award, the chapter has purchased books for Mr. Huggins’s classroom.
The Lake Minnetonka Chapter DAR congratulates these students and teacher on their well-earned awards.
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