Wells seventh-grader Lauren Daly wins DAR history essay contest

WELLS, Maine — Wells Junior High School 7th-grade student Lauren Daly learned in January that she had won first place in a local history essay contest sponsored by the Rebecca Emery Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. To honor this special milestone, contestants were required to research and write about a prominent or ordinary family living in the American Revolutionary era (1773-1783).

"I was very happy, and I was proud to honor our school system," said Daly about her essay that focused on Dr. Josiah Bartlett (1729-1795).

"I chose to study Josiah Bartlett because I really liked that he was a doctor and the work that he did," added Daly, who aspires to study medicine and become a physician.

Beth Harlow is the Rebecca Emery Regent.

"Her essay was thoughtful, well-written, and demonstrated strong historical understanding and creativity," said Harlow. "I look forward to reading and receiving her entry next year for 8th grade."

Dr. Bartlett was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Months later, he became a delegate to the Continental Congress that created the Articles of Confederation, the country's first constitution. Bartlett was the fourth governor of New Hampshire and became a justice on New Hampshire's highest court. In 1790, the newly incorporated town of Bartlett was named in his honor.

At the Rebecca Emery Chapter's awards gathering at the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk on Feb. 7, Daly read aloud her composition to an audience of about 40. There, she received a certificate and a medal from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as a pin, a candy cup, and an Amazon gift card.

"She did a beautiful job reading her essay to the audience," said Daly's social studies teacher, Susan Dugovic. "Lauren's essay was later submitted to be judged at the state level of the DAR contest."

The American History Essay Contest is open to fifth through eighth-grade students. It was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation's great history and learn about history in a new light.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wells seventh-grader Lauren Daly wins DAR history essay contest