Sons of the American Revolution announces essay contest for high school students

Press release from the Gainesville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gainesville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution announces that the opportunity for entries in the annual George and Stella Knight Essay Contest is open now through December 19, 2025. All in grades 9-12 are eligible, including homeschoolers.

Students submit an original, non-AI 800-1200-word essay based on an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the U.S. Constitution.

Essays are judged on historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation.

Three levels make up the contest: The first is the Local level, which has a small cash award for our winner, a medal, and a certificate. If you win the Gainesville Chapter contest, you go on to State, and perhaps National. Each level has its own awards.

You must enter through the chapter near your residence, one entry per student per year. Don’t think you can’t win! Recently, we had a third-place winner in the State contest. We hope to present you with an award at one of our meetings.

If you have questions or wish to turn in an entry by December 19, 2025, please contact our Chapter President Randal Highsmith at Randal.Highsmith@gmail.com. Good luck.

More information can be found on our Facebook page.

Do you have an ancestor who fought for the freedom of this country in the Revolution against Britain?  Please contact us and we can help you with the needed lineage information from your Patriot to the present day and get you into this great organization.