George S. and Stellla M. Knight
This contest was originally named in honor of SAR Compatriot President Calvin Coolidge who won an SAR essay contest while a student at Amherst College. The contest was reestablished in 1988 by SAR Compatriot McCarthy DeMere.
In 1995, the contest was renamed the George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest in honor of their generous gift to the SAR to support this contest. The contest is designed to give high school students an opportunity to explore events that shaped American History.
Contestants shall be in the freshman, sophomore, junior or senior grade of study during the contest year. The contest is open to all students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high schools in that same grade range.
RULES (Click HERE)
ASSESSMENT (Click HERE)
Essays which meet the Rules will be accepted and judged equally on the following:
A) Historical accuracy
B) Clarity of thought
C) Organization and proven topic
D) Grammar and spelling
E) Documentation.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities.
DEADLINES (The applicant year is the is the calendar year, 01Jan through 31Dec)
Applicant entry to local Chapters: 31 December
Chapter entry to State Society: 31 January
State Society candidate to National Society: 28 February
NATIONAL SOCIETY AWARDS
First place:$5,000
Second Place:$2,500
Third Place: $1000
Do not mail your application to the National SAR.
National Society rules and other important information can be found at this link: Knight Essay Contest
For assistance, click HERE. The Knight Essay Contest Program Chairman is Keith Weissinger. The assistant chairman is Art Dolan.