SDS students win national essay contest
Posted May 3, 2012
The National Society of Colonial Dames of America annually holds a national essay contest for high school students.
This year’s prompt was: “Discuss the relevance of Abraham Lincoln’s statement: A House Divided Itself Cannot Stand.”
Spartanburg Day School had three national winners; Sarah Spencer (12th), Chloe Keefer (11th), and Nina Srivastava (10th).
Shelby Nelson (12th), John McBride (12th), Allison Pennington (12th), Ben Lewson (11th), and Killian Glenn (10th) were recognized in the top ten.
National winners have been awarded an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a weeklong seminar on government in June. Students will also have the opportunity to meet US Senators and Representatives, attend committee hearings, listen to guests speakers on the branches of government, work in model committees with other delegates, and enjoy Washington’s top historical and educational exhibits.
Two professors and a graduate student in the University of South Carolina’s history department judged entries, picking the top ten essay and naming two state winners. Also, national judges chose two additional South Carolina winners. Since three out of four national winners were from Spartanburg Day School as well as eight of the top ten, this is quite a distinction.
