Millburn Students Win High Marks In DAR Essay Contest

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn Seventh grade Middle School student, Onelia Alma Lupiani Khan, and Washington School fifth grader Ananya Mandrekar both took home wins in the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay contest.

Open to students in grades 5-8, the 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 year’s essay topic, in honor of the 250th anniversary of The Boston Massacre, asked students in grades 5-8 to imagine living in Boston at that time, and discussions among your family members about the event and the role it played in organizing the Colonists against the King and Parliament.

Mandrekar took first place in the fifth grade category and Khan won second place for the seventh grade essayists. Essay Chairman for the DAR Morristown Chapter, Gail Trappe selected both students as winners, and said, “They both worked very hard. I will provide them with beautiful frameable certificates and DAR medals.” The banquet dinner scheduled to take place in Princeton has been switched to a virtual ceremony.

Mandrekar will record a video of her winning essay for the event, and will be eligible to win at the National Level. Mandrekar decided to enter the contest because it combined two of her favorite subjects, Writing and History. Trappe enjoyed getting to know the contest winners: “I had several conversations with the girls. They are very enthusiastic, love writing and were a joy to talk to.”

Washington School principal, Peter Mercurio was thrilled to learn of both students’ successes, and commented, “The DAR is an important organization, keeping our country’s history alive and meaningful for our students. I’m especially proud that both Ananya and Onelia took the initiative to enter the contest. Their teachers and I applaud them.”

This press release was produced by Millburn Township Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.