Youth Award Programs

Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest

The aim of the National Americanism Elementary School Poster contest is to stimulate interest in American History in support of the established school curriculum. This contest is directed at students in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades, depending on which year the American Revolution is taught in their educational system – including ecumenical and home-schooled students.

The contest is also open to members of the Cub Scouts and Brownies and CAR (Children of the American Revolution) who are in the same grades but whose school system may not be participating in the contest. In the case where the local school system, or its equivalent, is participating, the young person must enter the contest through the school and not as a separate entry.

Each State Chapter selects a winner by February 1st of each year. The poster entries are judged prior to the February State Convention and the first-place winner and family are invited to the Youth Awards Luncheon. The first-place poster is sent to the SAR National Congress for judging. Please contact this Society Chairman for additional details, including prize amounts awarded at State and National levels.

For academic years ending in even numbers, the theme shall be “Revolutionary War Events.” For academic years ending in odd numbers, the theme shall be “Revolutionary War Person or Persons.”

CHAPTER INFORMATION:

Chapters select winner by January 31, 2024, notify Chairman and send to the State Convention for judging prior to February 7, 2024. The state winner for this contest receives $200; 2nd place receives $150; 3rd place receives $100. Chairman will send checks and certificates to Chapters after Convention. First place poster is judged at National Congress.

Chairman: Carl Arnold (Arnie) Burris   arnie.burris@gmail.com
Vice Chairman: Jeremy Ward   jeremymward7@gmail.com

Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest

The official name of the Americanism Middle School Brochure Contest is the Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest. Sgt. Adams was with the 13th Massachusetts Regiment and died at Valley Forge. His sacrifice, along with 25,000 other men, gave us our freedom. This contest is so named in their honor, and the families who suffered their loss for generations. The aim of the contest is to stimulate interest in American History in support of the established school curriculum.

This contest is directed at students in the 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades, depending on which year the American Revolution is taught in their educational system – including ecumenical and home-schooled students. This completion was begun to aid studies at the school grades following elementary school and before the sophomore grade in high school. If the American Revolution period of American History is technically not specifically covered during these middle school grades, an entry will still be accepted for the competition by the state society.

The contest is also open to Scouts (Boys and Girls) and members of the C.A.R. (Children of the American Revolution) who are in the same grades but whose school system may not be participating in the contest. In the case where the local school system, or its equivalent, is participating, the young person must enter the contest through the school and not as a separate entry.

Each State Chapter selects a winner by February 1st of each year. The brochure entries are judged prior to the February State Convention and the winning student and family are invited to attend the Youth Awards Luncheon. The first- place brochure selected during the State Convention is then sent to the SAR National Congress for judging. Please contact this Society Chairman for additional details, including prize amounts awarded at State and National levels.

The topic/theme for the Poster and the Brochure Contests is set by the NSSAR Americanism Committee. To better align this contest with the government curricula taught in middle schools across the nation the theme of the brochure is now focused on the founding documents of the American government to include the Articles of Confederation, the Articles of Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights.

CHAPTER INFORMATION

Chapters select winner by January 31, 2024, and send to the State Convention for judging prior to February 7, 2024. The state winner for this contest receives $300 and a certificate; 2nd place receives $200 and a certificate; 3rd place receives $100 and a certificate. Chairman will send checks and certificates for second and third place to Chapters after the State Convention. First place brochure is judged at National Congress.

Chairman: Robert “Bob” Anderson, Jr.   rldad1@yahoo.com

The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest

The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration contest is open to all students of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes (Grades 9 – 12) in the public, parochial, private, and home schools within the jurisdiction of the state of Alabama.

The oration must be original of not less than five minutes or more than six minutes. The oration topic shall deal with an event, personality, or document pertaining to the Revolutionary War and show a relationship to America today. The oration must be essentially the same as the submitted manuscript. Props and notes, including military uniforms, may not be used in the presentation. The judges (all SAR members) will select the winners based on the following criteria: A. Composition; B. Delivery; C. Significance; D. History. Time allocated for delivery is between 5 and 6 minutes. (A penalty is applied for going outside the time allocations.)

Contestants wishing to enter the contest should contact the chairman of their local chapter NLT 1 December 2023. The student must provide a copy of the preliminary Oration by 15 December 2023 along with a photograph and biographical sketch of the entrant, to the Chapter Chairman. All Chapter contests should be concluded by the end of January 2024. All required forms are available on the ALSSAR Webpage under the Youth Service tab. All Chapter winner’s information packet must be received by the State Chairman NLT 8 February 2024.

The 1st place State award winner receives $1000 and an Olympic-sized (State level) medallion; 2nd place $750; and 3rd place $500. The first-place winner and parents are invited to attend the Youth Awards Luncheon as guests of the Alabama Society.

The State 1st place winner will compete in the National Congress contest held in Lancaster, PA in July 2024. The State Society will reimburse the first-place state winner for travel/airfare and one night hotel stay expenses for the winner and a parent/chaperone to attend the SAR National Congress if they are selected as one of the six finalists.

The 1st place national award is $5,000; 2nd place $4000; 3rd place $3000. All other finalists receive $300; all other National contestants receive $200.

James E. “Skip” Dotherow, PhD.
State Oration Chairman
334-313-1543
sar.skipdotherow3@gmail.com

3618 Bankhead Ave
Montgomery, AL 36111

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invites all high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution to participate in the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest. The contest is open to all students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high schools in that same grade range. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the 2019-2020 NASSP List of Approved Contests, Programs, and Activities for Students.

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 must be entered through an SAR chapter near the student’s residence. In some cases, the contest may be entered at the state level (if the local society does not have chapters or the chapters are not participating) and a contact-at-large should be used to find out more contest details. The list of contest contacts listed below can provide you with assistance in entering the Knight Essay Contest. Only one entry per student is permitted per contest year.

A complete set of rules, along with the application for both the applicant and the sponsoring SAR members, can be found below. Please be aware that the local application deadline dates may vary, so interested applicants should reach out to their local SAR Chapter for further details.

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest Rules link as follows:
https://www.sar.org/george-s-stella-m-knight-essay-contest/

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Application Form link as follows:
https://members.sar.org/media/uploads/pages/51/4MAzgebHVT2P.pdf

The state winner for this contest receives $500 and an Olympic-sized (State level) medallion; 2nd place receives $250 and a certificate; 3rd place receives $150 and a certificate. Chairman will send checks and certificates to Chapters after Convention. First place essay is judged at National Congress.

Chairman: Edmon McKinley  edmonhmckinley@bellsouth.net

Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest

Open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and have not reached their 19th birthday during the year of application. (The application year is the calendar year, 01 Jan. to 31 Dec.) The year that Eagle was awarded is not restricted. College plans do not need to be completed to receive the cash scholarship.

Three cash scholarship awards are given at the national level to the First-Place winner, Runner-up and Second runner-up. You may apply more than one year if you meet the age requirements but no more than $8,000.00 total may be granted to any one Eagle Scout.

Applications are to be submitted to local Alabama Chapter by December 1 of each year. The selection will take place before February 1st. The first-place award is presented at the February State Convention Banquet. Please contact the Chairman listed below for additional details.

Entrants need to complete only one application — the one for the chapter competition. If it is a winner, it is then used for the state competition, and if it is a winner again it is used for the national competition.

The application consists of:

1. The two-page application form

2. The Four Generation ancestor chart.

3. The 500-word Patriotic Theme

The competition is conducted in three phases, local (Chapter), State (Society), and National. The competition is usually entered through the Chapter level. In some cases, the competition may be entered at the State level. You may not enter at the National level.

Note: Applications are accepted during a calendar year for Scholarships to be awarded in the Spring of the following year. The Eagle Scout Scholarship State Chairman can give you specific deadlines for receipt of applications at Chapter and/or State levels.

CHAPTER INFORMATION

Applications need to be submitted to local chapters by December 4, 2023. Chapters select winner and submits to Chairman by January 15, 2024. Selection of the state winner will take place in February and the Chairman will submit the entry to National. The state award winner for this contest receives $750, a winning recognition certificate and a trophy. The second-place winner receives $300, and the third-place winner receives $150. The first-place award is presented at the State Convention Youth Awards Luncheon on February 25, 2023. The winner and parents are invited to attend the luncheon as guests of the Alabama Society. If requested, travel expenses to the Convention up to a total of $225 may be paid by the State. The sponsoring chapter of the state award winner should coordinate any hotel arrangements for the winner with the Chairman.

The 1st place national award is $10,000; 2nd place $6,000; 3rd place $4,000. If the state winner is selected as the national winner, the Alabama Society will reimburse traveling expenses for the winner and a chaperone to attend the SAR National Congress in Lancaster, PA in July 2024. The reimbursement amount would be $1,000. However, if the national contest reimburses travelling expenses, the Alabama Society will only reimburse the difference up to $1,000. For the Alabama reimbursement, no receipts are required, and it is to be given only if the National winner attends Congress. The reimbursement may not be paid ahead of Congress and is presented at Congress by the State President.

Chairman may also send letters of congratulations to new Eagle Scouts throughout the State and invite them to participate in the contest. Chapters can acknowledge Eagle Scouts with certificate of recognition.

Chairman: Larry Liles  sovereigntime@gmail.com

The SAR awards ROTC/JROTC Medals to foster the principle of the “citizen-soldier”, exemplified by the Minutemen of American Revolutionary War days. The founding of today’s ROTC Citizen-Soldier program was brought about in 1819 by Capt. Alden Partridge, former West Point Superintendent, whose own father, Pvt. Samuel Partridge Jr., fought at the Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolution.

SAR medal awards are presented by a Chapter, a State Society, or the National Society to ROTC (University level) or JROTC (11th grade high school) Cadets having a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence. Cadet recipients are selected by the Commanding Officer of the ROTC or JROTC unit, who should be given full latitude in making the selection.

SAR ROTC/JROTC Medals are approved by the United States Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and USAF Services. Each service has notified its ROTC and JROTC units of this approval and has authorized presentation to its cadets or midshipmen.

SAR ROTC/JROTC medal recipients are selected by Commanding Officer of the JROTC/ROTC unit. Local Chapters are responsible for coordinating with University/College and High School units in their areas for presentations. University/College Cadets receive the Silver ROTC Medal (provided by the state society); JROTC cadets receive the Bronze JROTC Medal. SAR members purchase medals for the bronze awards.

For ROTC or JROTC units with fewer than 500 Cadets or Midshipmen, one medal will be awarded each year. For larger units, one medal may be presented for each 500 students enrolled in the unit. In cases where a school has more than one ROTC or JROTC unit, each unit is counted separately. It is desirable to have a medal and ribbon bar on display in a trophy case at each school where it is presented. This will serve as an incentive to the students and publicize the SAR ROTC program as well.

SAR also sponsors the JROTC Enhanced Outstanding Cadet (OC) competitive award program for 11TH Grade (Junior) level JROTC Cadets. The cadet must be a “true” LET 3 in a four-year program or a LET 2 in a three-year program. Winners receive a medallion and monetary awards at the Chapter, State and National level. Participants in this JROTC monetary award competition are required to write an essay and must be in the top level of their graduating class. See attached Policy and Procedures Manual (PDF) for specifics and awards.

Contact the Chairmen listed in the Policy for additional questions about the essay contest requirements and awards at State and National levels. Detailed ROTC/JROTC awards program information may be found in the Alabama Society JROTC/ROTC Recognition Program Policy and Procedures.

IN PATRIOTIC SERVICE TO TODAY’S YOUTH AND TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Chairman: David Jones    djones36@aol.com

Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award

Deadline to Alabama Society 15 January 2024

POC: Robert Anderson, 256-682-2486, rldad1@yahoo.com
Detailed instructions and Application Forms found at:
https://www.sar.org/education/youth-contests-awards/american-history-teacher-award

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invites all American history teachers, whose approved curriculum teaches students about the American revolution 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 elementary, middle or high school levels at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution. A teacher who teaches at a home school is not eligible. A teacher who is selected as a winner at the chapter level will compete for the state contest and the winner of the state contest will be a finalist for the national award. The award consists of three separate contests designed to select a teacher at the elementary school, middle school and high school level. The national winner at each level will be entitled to the benefits described below.

The American History Teacher Award recognizes educators who distinguish themselves in teaching the history of the American Revolution. The award winner will receive a professional educational opportunity at a national seminar and bring back to their classroom and students a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm for the American Revolutionary era.

Award Description:

The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award National winners will be able to choose a trip to one of the following seminars:

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

Teacher candidates interested in entering the local SAR Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay of not less than 1000 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, has taught for at least three years, and who is in the early or middle stages of his or her career, therefore having at least fifteen years of productive classroom teaching remaining. The award is therefore not intended as an honor to a deserving teacher who is nearing retirement and thus not able to impart the knowledge gained at attendance at a seminar to many future students. It is recognized that school districts may have different job titles for teachers of American history, such as social studies teachers. The actual job title of the teacher is not important so long as the teacher has as their primary duty the teaching of American history. However, teachers who teach music, physical education, JROTC, or other subjects as their primary subject are not eligible. The essay should also discuss why the teacher wants to attend the educational seminar and how the teacher would use what is learned at the seminar in the future.

Two signed letters of recommendation are required. One must be from the teacher’s immediate supervisor and the other must be from the teacher’s principal. These letters need to state why the applicant is an outstanding teacher of American history. In addition to the application and written essay, the applicant must submit a biography or curriculum vitae highlighting their educational background and achievements. All application materials must be typed or printed on 8 1⁄ 2" x 11" standard paper and submitted through the mail, which is defined as the USPS, UPS, FEDEX, or similar delivery services. All original materials will remain the property of SAR. Applications may NOT be submitted by e-mail. Also, where the application is handwritten, please make sure the writing is legible, particularly phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

The award is intended to be used for graduate-level educational programs in the American Revolution and is not redeemable for its monetary value. If the award winner is unable to attend an educational seminar during the year in which the award is presented, the winner may attend in a subsequent year. The winner must attend a seminar within 24 months after the award is announced or the award will be forfeited. In addition to providing tuition for a seminar the award will include a cash prize, a reimbursable credit for purchasing educational supplies and, for one winner, an invitation to attend an SAR National Congress to speak at the Youth Awards Luncheon. At the discretion of the SAR a winning teacher who was not invited to Congress may be invited to attend a Leadership Meeting in Louisville, KY. For a teacher invited to either Congress or a Leadership Meeting, their expenses will be paid up to a maximum reimbursement of $1,000.00. Only a winning teacher who has attended a seminar is eligible to be invited to attend the National Congress or a Leadership Meeting.

Attendance at an American Revolution teacher seminar is a condition to receiving any other awards provided to a winner. Once the seminar is completed the winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize, which is taxable. The winner will also receive a $500.00 credit to purchase American Revolution educational supplies for the classroom and may be invited to attend the SAR National Congress to speak at the Youth Awards Luncheon, or a Leadership Meeting with expenses paid up to $1,000.00 as part of the award.

The SAR Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award will select a winning teacher at the elementary school level, a winning teacher at the middle school level and a winning teacher at the high school level. All three winners will receive an award that could be worth up to $5,000.00. This includes a benefit of up to $3,000.00 to attend teacher seminars, including tuition paid directly to the seminar and reimbursement of travel expenses and room and board where it is not included as part of the tuition. It also includes a $500.00 cash prize for which the SAR will issue an IRS Form 1099. It will include a reimbursable credit of $500.00 for the teacher to buy American Revolution educational supplies for the classroom. Finally, if the teacher is invited to attend an SAR National Congress or Leadership Meeting, he or she will be reimbursed up to $1,000.00 for expenses related to the trip.

In any contest year, the SAR reserves the right not to select a winner in a particular school level if, in the opinion of the judges, the applicants do not meet the selection criteria.

Completed applications should be submitted to the local SAR Chapter and the Chapter winners submitted to the Alabama Society Chairman by 15 January 2024. The applications from State Society winners for a contest year must be received by the SAR Director of Education no later than February 10 of the year immediately after the contest year for which the award is presented. For example, teachers who are selected by the state society as winners for the 2022 contest year must have their applications received by the SAR Director of Education by February 10, 2023.

1) All American History Teacher Award applicants must complete and include the following information and attach it with the application form:
      a) An essay of a minimum of 1000 words, discussing the importance of teaching the American Revolution and providing details of any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized to teach the American Revolution. The essay should also discuss why the applicant wants to attend the Freedoms Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg, Jefferson Seminar, or the SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution, and how the teacher would use what is learned at this summer workshop in future classes.
      b) Curriculum vitae highlighting the applicant’s educational and professional background. This should include any education-related awards or recognition received. The applicant may also include any community organizations in which he or she is involved, and any awards or recognition received from those organizations. Activities in which the applicant has participated since he or she began his or her professional career will be particularly useful to the judges.
      c) Include signed letters of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor and principal stating why the applicant is qualified for this award. Additionally, other letters of recommendation from those who have firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s teaching techniques may also be submitted.
      d) Applicants will submit a photograph with their application, which may be used by the SAR to publicize the contest winner. The photograph will not be returned.
      e) A signed and dated “Release & Discharge of Responsibility Form” must be submitted with the application.
      f) All application materials shall be submitted on 81⁄ 2” x 11” standard paper and submitted by mail through the U.S. Postal Service, Fed Ex, UPS, or equivalent delivery service.

 2) Applicants in this contest agree that the interpretation of the rules and decisions by the judges and the SAR shall govern without exception.

3) Applicants agree that they will submit a report of their attendance at a workshop/seminar to the SAR no later than 30 days following the completion, discussing their experience and how they will utilize that in their classroom. The winning applicant also agrees he or she will be available, scheduling permitting, to attend an annual SAR Congress or Leadership Meeting to report on his or her experience. It is understood that if the SAR extends an invitation to the winner to attend, that the winner’s travel and lodging expenses will be paid by SAR, subject to the reimbursement guidelines of this award.

4) This award is specifically for graduate programs in the American Revolution and not redeemable for its monetary value. If the award winner is unable to attend an educational seminar during the year in which the award is presented, the winner may attend in a subsequent year. The winner must attend a seminar within 24 months after the award is announced, or the award will be forfeited.

5) All winners will be sent a form explaining the expense reimbursement rules along with an expense claim form. It will also include information about contacting the approved seminars. Additionally, it will include reimbursement guidelines as to acceptable classroom supplies and educational materials.

6) Any winner is not eligible to participate in subsequent contests. Although no teacher may win a second award, unsuccessful applicants may continue to apply for subsequent contests.

7) An applicant must submit an application for this award through the SAR Chapter and State Society in which the school campus is located and where the teacher is employed. The teacher may live in an adjoining state, but the application must be submitted through the State Society where the school campus is located.