The essay heard round the world – Eastlake High junior onto nationals in writing contest about the American Revolution

There is only one more stop on the journey for Eastlake High School junior Advaith Shyam to take home the top prize in a national essay writing contest. Advaith has already won at the local and regional levels of the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest. For the contest, students must submit an original 800- to 1,200-word essay based on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence or the framing of the United States Constitution. Each student’s essay is judged based upon its historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation.

The topic for Advaith's essay was “The Drillmaster of Valley Forge.” It was about the contribution of the Prussian military general Barron Friedrich Von Steuben to the American Revolution.

The national winners of the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest are typically announced in April, with the national society award presented to the winner at the Annual Congress in July. The winner of the contest receives $6,000, a medal and recognition certificate, and is eligible for a $1,500 travel stipend for expenses incurred attending Congress.