Warwick Historical Society revives essay contest

Warwick - It’s now called “The first annual twenty-first century essay contest.” That tongue-twister can be simply explained by the fact that the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick has only recently revived its traditional essay contest, first established in 1913 and then discontinued in 1977. This year’s topic was, “Discuss George Washington’s Essential Contribution to the United States of America.” And the winners, chosen from entries by students in elementary grade four and higher, received Warwick Merchant Gift Certificates totaling $450. The prizes were donated and presented by Frank Petrucci, owner of Country Chevy Olds, at the Historical Society Board meeting held on June 15 in the historic Baird’s Tavern. The certificates are redeemable at many businesses throughout the Town and Village of Warwick. With the interesting title of “The Mother of His Country, “ Tanya Shoock won first place as a Grade 11 student. First- to third-place essay winners in grade seven were Kevin Dell’Aquila, whose topic was “General George Washington The Leader;” Afia Syed, who wrote “In the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;” and Christina Martin with “First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.” Fourth-grader Cassandra Swanson was first in her class with “The Start of a New Nation.” Second- and third-place went to Jared Silbernagel’s entry “George Washington: Where Would We Be Without Him?” and Jonas Kim’s essay “George Washington: Independence Fighter.” The first-place winners have been invited to read their winning essays at the Old School Baptist Meeting House in the Village of Warwick on the evening of July 29 as part of the annual George Washington Day Centennial Celebration. Warwick historian Dr. Richard Hull, Ph.D., a professor of history at New York University, said that the original essay contest sponsored by The Historical Society of the Town of Warwick began in 1913. It was suspended in the late 1930s and later revived by Dr. Hull and Dr. Fanny Davis. “However,” said Hull, “the Historical Society’s Essay Prize was actually discontinued in or about 1977 for lack of interest from students as well as school faculty and not re-established until this year, under Betty Hurd’s initiative.” Hurd, a Historical Society board member, offered her “special thanks to the participating students, their parents and teachers; and to Marijane Reinhart, assistant superintendent of Schools. I would also like to thank Frank Petrucci of Country Chevrolet for his generosity.”