Published: May 01, 2008 12:22 pm         

Girl’s essay stars in DAR competition

Takes second in state

By MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer

Cooperstown fifth-grader Rebecca Odell said she was extremely excited when she received local recognition for the essay she entered into this year’s Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Essay competition, but was overwhelmed with joy when she received a phone call Monday night notifying her that her essay placed second in the state. ``I called up almost everyone I knew,’’ said Odell. ``My friends were over, and when I told them, they made up this little dance.’’

DAR is an organization of women dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Each year, the DAR conducts a national American history essay contest for students in grades five through eight. A topic is selected for use during the academic year, and essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness.

The contest is conducted locally by the DAR chapters, and chapter winners are judged regionally and nationally, with national winners receiving a monetary award. Odell said her social studies teacher, Mrs. Kiser, was the one who got her interested in participating in the contest.

``I thought it would be cool to earn some extra credit,’’ said Odell, who received a 100 on a social studies test that she didn’t have to take in exchange for writing the essay.

Jane Ann Casey, of the Otsego DAR Chapter, said Kiser typically encourages many of her students to participate in the contest. However, Casey said contest participation was low this year, with only seven students submitting essays to the local chapter. She said there were no sixth-grade entries this year.

``It is something that students have to want to do,’’ said Casey. ``It is not usually a class project.’’

Casey said once essays are submitted to the local DAR chapter, each one is read, and a winning essay is selected to be sent to the state contest. She said there were over 200 essays submitted to the state contest this year.

This year’s essay topic was ``What the Flag of the United States Means to Me.’’ In Odell’s essay she wrote, ``The American flag is something we fought to have. Think back to a page in your history book, about the American Revolution. When we finally got our flag, we had only 13 stars. But then, brick by brick, star by star, we created a nation with 50 states. And it was a nation that all Americans should be proud of. A very lucky nation.’’ Odell, who said she has always been interested in history, said she spent about three days completing her six-paragraph essay. She said she used a World Book encyclopedia to learn about the stars, Francis Scott Key and the War of 1812. Odell said her mom and dad also helped her find the books needed for research and educated her about the War of 1812.

Casey said Odell will be honored for her accomplishments at a brunch at the Otesaga on May 23. She will receive a certificate from the New York State DAR organization as well as from the Otsego DAR Chapter. She will also be awarded a $50 check, for placing second in the state contest, and a modest award from the chapter, according to Casey. Odell said she is looking forward to the brunch, and is excited because her photo is going to be put in the yearbook. Not shy, Odell said she is also going to take Elementary Principal Theresa Gorman up on her offer to read the essay over the loudspeaker at school. ``I am not quite sure what I am going to do with the $50 yet,’’ said Odell.

``Maybe I will put half in the bank and spend the other half.’’

Gorman said Odell is a great representative of the fifth grade because she is ``such a well-rounded talented individual.’’

``We are very, very proud of her,’’ said Gorman. Peg Odell, Rebecca’s mother, said the family is so proud of Rebecca. She said she reads a lot and she believes Rebecca’s writing shows a lot of creativity. “My dad taught American history in high school, and though he passed away years ago, I’ve been thinking how proud he would be of his granddaughter,’’ said Peg. `` We are grateful to the DAR chapter for providing this opportunity for Becca, and to all her teachers who have encouraged and challenged her over the years, ‘’ added Peg. ``For her to finish second in the state of New York is a great achievement for Becca, and also for Cooperstown Elementary.’’