Youth Awards and Contests
These awards and contests are intended to encourage civic responsibility, duty, and a deeper understanding of the complicated issues surrounding the American Revolutionary period among students across elementary, middle and high school grade levels. These youth programs are sponsored annually by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR), but competition typically begins at the Chapter level, continues through the State SAR Society level and culminates at the annual SAR Congress. Besides the local, state and national recognition, winners at the three competition levels can also receive $100’s to several $1,000 (see the table on the PROGRAMS page). Visitors interested in learning more about the individual award details should consult the links on this web page. Further information, specific guidelines, and deadlines can be found by contacting us as indicated below, and on the contest page at NSSAR. (Note: Use the ←BACK ARROW at upper left on the NSSAR Contest page to return to this website page.) Both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR chapter must submit an application form. These two forms are the same for all contests and awards:
SAR Youth Awards Application and Instructions (Applicant’s Form)
SAR Youth Awards Application and Instructions (Chapter Sponsor’s Form)
Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest
All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students interested in the American Revolution can participate in the Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest. The contest is open to public school, parochial, home schooled, Scouting, or Children of the American Revolution member students in that same grade range. Young students with enthusiasm toward art, a love of American history, or a desire for creative expression can submit their posters to their local SAR chapter for competition. The maximum poster size is 24” x 36”. The Americanism Poster Contest begins at the SAR chapter level, however a student’s poster may eventually be judged and earn a cash award at the national level in June at the annual SAR Congress.
A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above. Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details and application deadlines.
Middle School Brochure Contest
All 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade students interested in the American Revolution are invited to participate in the Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest. The contest is open to public school, parochial, home schooled, Scouting, and Children of the American Revolution member students in that same grade range. The theme for the brochure will be “The Foundational Documents of the United States.” Contest entrants may choose any of the following examples for their brochures, including the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights.
A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details application deadlines and entry into the competition.
Knight Essay Contest
All high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution are invited to participate in the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest. The contest is open to all students attending public, parochial, private high schools or home schools in that same grade range. To participate, students must submit an original 800- to 1,200-word essay based on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Each student’s essay will be judged based upon its historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation. The contest is conducted in three phases: the local chapter, state-level society, and national phases. The contest is usually entered through an SAR chapter near the student’s residence. To learn how to write a winning essay, see the discussion by Dr. Rice, past Texas Society Essay Chairman. For an example of what this competition can mean for you, please see this letter of appreciation.
A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details, application deadlines and entry into the competition.
C.A.R. Activity Award
The Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) is an organization of persons 21 years of age and younger who are lineal descendants of a patriot of the American Revolution. The C.A.R. is an independent organization that depends on the SAR, DAR and other recognized organizations for its leadership and financial support. The C.A.R. needs adult leaders, financial support and members.
SAR, DAR, and C.A.R. members who give their time and effort toward supporting the C.A.R. are candidates to receive the C.A.R. Activity Award. This recognition can be given through the SAR or C.A.R. Medals of Appreciation or other appropriate medals for support and service to the C.A.R.
The application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). One or more of our chapter Officers will initiate this award.
Oration Contest
The NSSAR invites all high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution to participate in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest. The contest is open to all students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high school students in that same grade range. While the preliminary rounds of the contest begin at the local level, students may eventually advance to the state or national levels, eventually held in June during the annual SAR Congress. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the 2017-18 NASSP List of Approved Contests, Programs, and Activities for Students.
Each student’s five- to six-minute speech (and accompanying manuscript) will be judged based upon its composition, delivery, significance, and historical accuracy and relevance. Three cash awards are given: the National First Place Winner receives $5,000; the 2nd Place Runner-up receives $3,000; and the 3rd Place Runner-up receives $2,000 cash prize. Each also receives an Olympic-sized medal. All other finalists (4th through 6th Place runners-up) are awarded $400 and all other national contestants are awarded $200.
A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details, application deadlines and entry into the competition.
Eagle Scout Award
The NSSAR invites all Eagle Scouts (under 19 years of age) interested in the American Revolution to participate in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Award. The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and have not reached their nineteenth birthday during the year of application. Each Eagle Scout must complete an application form, a four-generation ancestor chart, and a 500-word patriotic themed essay. Contest entrants need complete only one application for the SAR chapter-level competition. The application of the chapter-level winner is forwarded on to the state- and national-level competitions. So, while the preliminary rounds of the contest begin at our Chapter level, Scouts may eventually advance to the state and national levels, where the latter culminates in June during the annual SAR Congress with awards of up to $10,000. Three cash awards are given: the National First Place Winner receives $10,000; the Runner-up receives $6,000; and the 2nd Runner-up receives $4,000. Prizes and recognition may also be awarded at the SAR chapter and state society levels.
Eagle Scout Essay and Four-Generation Ancestor Chart Instructions (Applicant Form)
For instructions for the essay and the 4-generation ancestor chart, click on the link above. A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details, application deadlines and entry into the competition.
Outstanding JROTC/ROTC Award
Captain Alden Partridge is considered to be the founder of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in the United States. Partridge founded the ROTC because his father, Samuel Partridge, a soldier of the American Revolution, was concerned that the young United States lacked the means for developing qualified military officers needed to maintain the principles of our government and protect American freedom. Since these goals closely align with those of the SAR, we strongly support the United States JROTC and ROTC programs.
The NSSAR awards the JROTC/ROTC Medal to foster the principle of the “citizen-soldier” exemplified by the Minutemen of Revolutionary War days. The Outstanding JROTC/ROTC Cadet Award is presented by a SAR Chapter, State Society, or the National Society to ROTC or JROTC cadets who are selected for having a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence. The recipients are selected by the Commanding Officer (CO) of the JROTC or ROTC unit.
One recognition medal is awarded to the cadet (or midshipman) selected by the CO for every 500 members of a unit. A recognition medal can also be awarded in units with less than 500 members. The silver ROTC medal is presented only to recipients chosen from college or university units. The bronze JROTC medal is awarded only to recipients chosen from high school units. Outstanding students in the Navy Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) receive the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship medal. JROTC and ROTC medal awards are initially made at the SAR chapter level. Recipients of the JROTC awards at the SAR chapter level are entered in competition at the state Society level. Winners at the state Society level are flown to the annual SAR Congress and compete at the National SAR level. The winner of this competition receives the National JROTC Medallion and $2,000 in cash.
A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details, application deadlines and entry into the competition.
Texas SAR 4-H Roundup Public Speaking Award
This SAR Award, sponsored by Dr. Robert S. and Dr. Jane Watkins Cohen, is for a $1000 scholarship or $500 cash award for the state winner of the 4-H Public Speaking Contest at the summer 4-H Roundup at Texas A&M University. Participants must follow 4-H requirements to enter Texas 4-H Roundup. For information please contact:
Dr. Robert or Dr. Jane Cohen,
PO Box 443,
Wellborn TX 77881-0443
Email: [email protected]
Teacher Awards
American History Teacher Award
The NSSAR invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the Revolutionary War era from 1750 to 1800, to apply for the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. The award is open to all teachers at the middle or high school levels at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution. While the preliminary rounds of the award program begin at the local level, teachers may eventually advance to the state or national levels, eventually held in June during the annual SAR Congress.
The American History Teacher Award recognizes educators who distinguish themselves in addressing the history of the American Revolution. Teacher candidates interested in entering the local SAR Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 500 words discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolutionary era. The essay may also describe any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized by the teacher to teach the American Revolution. The contest is aimed at identifying a teacher who is still actively teaching and who is in the early stages of his or her career, therefore having many years of productive classroom teaching remaining. The award winner will receive his or her choice of a professional educational opportunity at a national seminar, including:
Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop at Valley Forge, PA;
Colonial Williamsburg Summer Teacher Workshop in Williamsburg, VA;
Jefferson Symposium at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA;
SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution.
These seminars are all valued at $1,400 including tuition, room and board, and transportation. The winning teacher will then bring back to their classroom and students a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm for the American Revolutionary era.
A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found above (at the top of the page). Interested applicants should contact our chapter Education Chairman, Rodney Weems, for further details application deadlines and entry into the competition.