Goodrich – The middle school recently identified a couple of spies’and rewarded them for it.
Eighth grade students Alyssa Nesbitt and Austin Ryan recorded their acts of espionage in essays set during the Revolutionary War between 1775 and 1783, for a statewide competition hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
‘Placing first in the state is quite an honor for our school and our community,? said middle school American History teacher Krista Bethke. ‘Their writing is quite sophisticated for their age. Alyssa’s and Austin’s essays are original and full of good snapshots. When you read their words it’s almost like you have stepped back in time and you are standing there with their character during the war.?
The theme for this year’s essay contest, ‘I Spy-Espionage During the American Revolution,? inspired Nesbitt to write about Lydia Barrington Darragh, a true American Revolutionary War heroine who is said to have saved General George Washington’s army from a British attack.
‘Lydia was a common woman who had a son in the war. Her story taught me if you want something to happen, you can make it happen if you feel strongly enough about it,? said Nesbitt.
Stephen King is Ryan’s favorite fiction author who, he said, inspired him to create his own fictional character, Johnathon Godhollow. ‘I really enjoyed studying about the Revolutionary War period. Because the rules for this essay contest were so creative, I decided to enter the competition,? said Ryan. ‘I learned how pride for our country can really help during a war.?
Bethke said she is extremely proud and honored to be these students? teacher and to be a part of inspiring their creativity.
‘DAR is an organization that honors the history of the American Revolution. My students were able to learn about the past beyond the traditional ‘read the book and regurgitate information? format. The topics DAR gives students to write about are always interesting, and seem to appeal to their age group,? said Bethke.