James Stewart chapter DAR announces 2017 essay contest winners

Published 6:25 pm Thursday, March 1, 2018

Every year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors the American history essay for middle schoolers and the Christopher Columbus essay contest for high school students.

This year the James Stewart Chapter was pleased to have participants in both contests. The winners were honored at the James Stewart Chapter meeting on Feb. 10, 2018. Each received a framed Certificate, a DAR Excellence in History medal and $25

The James Stewart Chapter American History Essay Winner is Miss Emily Rebecca “Milly” Criswell. Her winning essay was on “World War I: Remembering the War to End All Wars.” She chose to write her essay as a diary, and the local judges were very impressed with it.

Milly is a 13-year-old seventh grader at Heard County Middle School in Franklin. She is a member of the Heard Middle School band, wind ensemble and show choir. She is also a member of the Heard County Middle School academic team, journalism club and serves as president of the school’s chapter of the FFA. Milly is a harpist in the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra. As a member of First Baptist Church on the Square, she is involved with youth choir, hand-bell choir and plays keyboard for weekly student worship services. Milly also loves to cook and design.

The James Stewart Chapter winner for the Christopher Columbus Essay Contest is Miss Bailey Elizabeth “Libby” Criswell. Her winning essay was “Advantages and Disadvantages of Working Relationships between Foreign Parties.” Her essay clearly presented both sides of the relationship between Columbus and the Spanish Monarchs.

Libby is a 16-year-old sophomore at LaGrange High School. She is a member of the chorus, newspaper staff and student council. She serves as principal cellist in the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she has been a member for nine years. As a member of First Baptist Church on the Square, she is involved with youth choir, hand-bell choir and helps lead weekly student worship services. Libby was recently accepted for both All State Chorus and All State Orchestra and will be attending both events at the University of Georgia. Being an avid reader and loving to write, she hopes to pursue a writing career and teach cello lessons after college.

Both chapter winning essays were submitted to the Georgia State Society DAR Central West District for district competition. The James Stewart Chapter is pleased to announce that Libby Criswell’s essay won at the district level and is one of six competing for the state winner.

Both girls are the daughters of Anthony and Rebecca Criswell of LaGrange.