Thursday, January 26, 2023 -- During the fall semester, students in Mr. Cotten's English classes at Mountain Brook Junior High were given the opportunity to participate in the annual essay contest for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Dozens of Mountain Brook students submitted their work to the John Parke Custis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (the local Mountain Brook chapter), and Jack Pierce won first place! His essay then went on to compete against all of the other DAR chapter winners, and it received second place in the state. On Thursday morning, Carolyn Long, regent of the John Parke Custis chapter, visited MBJH to present Jack and all those who submitted an essay with a certificate.  

The prompt for the student's essays was as follows: The Second Continental Congress met from May 10, 1775 – March 1, 1781, and included delegates from all thirteen colonies. This Congress was instrumental in shaping what was to become the United States of America. Imagine that you are a delegate during the 1775- 1776 Second Continental Congress. Which colony are you from and what will be important for you to accomplish for your colony?

Pierce's essay is a fictional account of a Virginian delegate who witnesses the passing of the resolution for independence. Here’s an excerpt: “I sat nervously anticipating the results. There had to be a unanimous vote for such a big issue to pass. Slowly the colonies voted in support of independence. All we lacked was New York’s agreement. They were hesitant to vote in support of rebellion in fear of British ships sailing into their port. At last, they decided not to vote. I think they were cowards, but nonetheless the other colonies voted unanimously in support of independence from England. It was all we needed to secure our freedom from the tyranny that we had endured under England’s rule. My fellow Virginians and I celebrated the decision and knew we had begun a new era in our land. No longer would England dictate our lives. We, the people of the American Colonies, would chart our own destiny and live our lives as we freely determine.” 

Congratulations to all of the participants!