Earlier this year, the members of the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) decided to take part in the national essay contest. From that endeavor, one South Range eighth grader will have her essay judged at the state level next month.

Atiana Alverez, 13, daughter of Gabriella and Kurt Alverez, was selected as the local winner and her submission was accepted for state judging with the possibility of moving on to the national level early next year.

Carol Salmon chaired the local contest for the Mahoning Chapter of DAR. She served on the Chapter’s American History Committee and when she approached South Range, the school was quick to jump on board.

“This year, we participated in the national contest for the first time ever,” Salmon said. “South Range took up the mantle (volunteered) to promote patriotism and creativity.”

She said John Rappach, the eighth-grade history teacher, jumped on the opportunity and presented it to his classes.

The contest, set by the national DAR, was to write an essay in a newspaper column format from the perspective of a reporter in the 1890s reporting on hearing John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” for the first time. Atiana had the chore of researching before she could begin her essay.

“It was definitely a bit difficult and foreign to write about a song without any words,” she said. “I had never written anything about a song to begin with, and it was a little confusing to write about something without words. I actually listened to the song, just to get a feel for what the song ‘felt’ like, and that helped me base the tone of the essay similar to the song.” She said prior to the contest, she wasn’t familiar with Sousa, but she did know a little about the song. The rest she researched before starting to write.

“I learned what his motivation for writing the song was, and I also learned when and where he wrote his song,” Atiana said. “This was what I love about how this contest was created. It pushed me to learn new things, but in a fun and engaging way.”

Atiana said she loves American history and thinks it is important to understand the past to be able to succeed in the future. She said her love of history has also grown because of the efforts of Rappach.

“I especially love my American history class because my teacher, Mr. Rappach, makes it so engaging,” she said. “He turns history into something that everyone actually wants to learn. He isn’t afraid to challenge his students, but he considers and respects our boundaries. He is the one who makes me so eager to learn history.”

Over the past several weeks, Atiana finished her research and began putting her essay together as though she was writing it for a newspaper of the time. She included in her entry what the audience reaction to Sousa’ march was and how his background influenced him. She said it was a fun challenge, but did “take a little bit of figuring out.”

Last week, Atiana was informed her essay had won at the local level and was accepted for state judging with the possibility of going on to the national level. Four finalists from South Range were judged by a panel of three DAR members. The judges were looking for the essay that best met the national contest criteria. Atiana was unanimously selected.

“The morning that I found out that my essay was going to be judged at state, I was kind of shocked, and it didn’t really set in until I went to tell my friends,” she said. “They were so excited and happy for me, and it gave me a giddy, almost hyper feeling. I feel honored that my writing is going to state, and it makes me feel accomplished and special. It was, and still is, a great feeling.”

Salmon, representing DAR, showed up at South Range on Thursday to present Atiana with a certificate and the Bronze National History Medal. She can now sit back and hope for success at the state and national levels.

Rappach said Atiana is a student that every teacher wishes for a classroom of students like her. She is kind to others, works hard and is willing to help any way she can. She is also up for a challenge while juggling other things at the same time.

As for his classes, Rappach is hoping this year is just the beginning of the DAR contest.

“I certainly hope that my classes will be given the opportunity to participate in this contest again,” he said. “I would imagine the theme would change from year to year … but this is something I would have to talk to Carol more about. Either way, I think it is a fantastic chance for these students to show what they are capable of…a nice mix of history appreciation, with a healthy amount of creative writing mixed in.”

While awaiting the state judging outcome next month, Atiana is back to working hard in school and continuing her passion for history. She is also looking into her future goals.

“Currently, I have a couple possible careers in mind,” she said. “The job that I think I am most likely to pursue is nursing. My mom works as a pediatric emergency room nurse, and it makes me feel safer knowing that she knows how to care for me. I think the reason why I want to be a nurse is because I want to give others that feeling of safety and security. The other job I am considering is being an author, because I like thinking that I am taking advantage of the fact that I can always improve my writing. The last job I want to have is being an astrophysicist. I’ve always loved science, and I really love anything that has to do with space and astronomy. I would really like any job that has me learning about space except for being an astronaut.”

As for the local DAR, Salmon said this year and the contest have been a great experience. She said it is the first time the Mahoning Chapter has taken part in the national contest and since it is celebrating 130 years this year, it was “extra special.” She hopes to bring the contest back next year and even expand it.