High school students answer tough question, earn scholarships
Karen Peterson
Daughters of the American Revolution Regent Bonnie Huber awards Ashley Peterson first place in the essay contest.
Karen Peterson
Skyler Frame of Charlo sits with her family during the ceremony to celebrate local student achievment.
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
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LAKE COUNTY — If you could pick rights or freedoms, which would you pick as the most important? Students in high schools across Lake County were asked to answer that government-themed question for an essay contest held by the Kuilix chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Ashley Peterson of Ronan earned first place in the contest, and second place went to Skyler Frame of Charlo. The two were given recognition along with educational scholarships during a ceremony on Saturday at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church at Post Creek.
Peterson went off-topic answering the question in her essay. She decided to focus on how government controls freedoms and rights.
“I talked about things I learned in my government class,” she said, adding that it wasn’t easy to write the essay.
The two high school seniors said they were given two hours to write the essay on computers along with a dictionary and nothing else. Luckily, the essay only counted for 30 percent of the contest. The other 70 percent was based on community and school involvement.
Peterson’s service included helping run a blood drive at her school, volunteering with Friends Forever Mentoring (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters), assisting with a reading program plus several other projects. She also has a high grade point average. She has been involved with school government and many sports.
Frame’s essay focused on freedoms. She felt that freedoms were the driving force behind those rights.
“I was nervous,” she said of sitting down to write the essay. “But, I’ve read a lot about history, so I knew I’d be okay.”
Frame’s community service involves teaching young people to ride horses, among other projects. She said more young people need to volunteer.
“I think the younger generation needs to step up,” she said.
DAR is all about volunteering with many projects, including helping veterans.
“Our driving principles are preservation, education, and patriotism for this country,” Regent Bonnie Huber said.
The members of the group can trace their ancestry back to an individual involved in the American Revolution. Pearl Jackson, 91, of Polson said her ancestor fought along with George Washington.
“He lost an eye, but he made it out,” she said, adding that she wouldn’t be alive if he hadn’t. “He went on to raise six kids.”
Regent Huber said DAR plans to have the essay contest again next year. Although she is retiring from her position, she plans to remain a member.
