Essay Contest
2010 - 2011 Knight Essay for the Long Island Chapter of the S.A.R.
History of the George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
This contest was originally named in honor of S.A.R. Compatriot President
Calvin Coolidge who won an S.A.R. essay contest while a student at Amherst.
The contest was reestablished in 1988 by 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 S.A.R. to support this contest. The
contest is designed to give high school students an opportunity to explore events
that shaped American History.
Rules for 2010 - 2011
(contest closed, return in the Fall for 2011 - 2012 rules)
The contest is conducted in three phases:
1. Local (Long Island S.A.R. Chapter),
2. State (Empire State Society)
3. National.
The contest must be entered through a Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution near the student's residence. Only one entry per student is permitted per contest year. The first place National winner is prohibited from participating in following years' contests.
The deadline to submit essay is December 26, 2010.
The contest is for an original researched and proven topic written in English. The topic of the essay shall deal with: an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Students must source at least five (5) references with the minimum of three being published book sources to allow for verification of sources if necessary. References from Encyclopedias or Internet sites will be accepted, but are not considered as part of the three published book sources. If there are no book sources (i.e. all are from encyclopedias or internet sources) the essay will be disqualified.
The essay must have four parts: A) title page, B) essay pages, C) bibliography (works cited), and D) contestant's biography. The title page, bibliography and contestant's biography must be listed on separate pages and no reference to the contestant's name or information can be part of the Essay pages or Bibliography. Please follow these rules exactly. Essays that do not conform to the rules may be immediately disqualified.
The title page must include the title of the essay, contestant's name, address, telephone number, and email address (if available). In addition, the title page must include the name, address, and telephone number of the high school in which the contestant is enrolled, and the contestant's grade level.
The essay must have a minimum of 800 words and not exceed 1,200 words (excluding title page, footnotes, bibliography page, and biography page). (Word counts based on a word processor are acceptable). The First page of the Essay must include the title of the essay. (No contestant information must appear on these pages as they are separated and distributed to the judges for grading to prevent possible grading bias.) The essay must be typed double-spaced on white bond paper. No bindings or special covers are needed. Graphics are not permitted. An original copy of the essay must be submitted. Poor quality copies will not be accepted. Plagiarism will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
The essay and bibliography must be documented in accordance with the Modern Language Association publication, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers or Kate L. Turabian's publication, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
The contestant's biography is limited to one page. Topics to be included in the biography are academic awards and achievements, school activities, community activities, and plans for college.
Entries must be submitted by email or by mail by December 26, 2010.
Please submit essay's, in a PDF format, by email to the Chairman of the Knight Essay contest for the Long Island Chapter S.A.R. :
Bruce Ward
Essays which meet the criteria in Rules 1-3 above will be accepted and judged equally on the following criteria:
Historical accuracy
Clarity of thought
Organization and proven topic
Grammar and spelling
Documentation
AWARDS:
Long Island Chapter: $100 US Savings Bond
Empire State Society: To Be Determined
National Society:
First place: $2,000; a winning recognition certificate and medal; airfare and one night hotel stay for the winner and a chaperone at the S.A.R. Annual Congress.
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $ 500
The winning essay of the national contest will be submitted for publication in The S.A.R. Magazine. Participants in this contest agree that their essay may be published in The S.A.R. Magazine and on the NSSAR Knight Essay Contest webpage. Winning essay participants, on all levels, must supply a social security number or alien identification/green card number in order to receive their award.
Participants in this contest agree that the interpretation of rules and decisions of the Long Island Chapter, Empire State Society and N.S.S.A.R. and its judges must govern without reservation.
Please email questions regarding specific rules to the Chairman listed above.