Local winners of the essay contests sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution were Rebekah Boroughs of Pinehurst High School and Noelle Ellen Wilkes of Aberdeen Elementary. Certificates and checks were presented to the students in December by the Temperance Smith Alston Chapter in Pinehurst.

Boroughs, a senior at Pinecrest, won the Christopher Columbus essay with the topic "How did the four voyages of Christopher Columbus change our perception of geography and alter world economics?" Her essay was sent to the district level of competition for further judging. Boroughs has been accepted to Appalachian State University where she plans to major in theater performance. Sarah Pickett, also a senior at Pinecrest, was the runner-up.

Fifth-grader Wilkes participated in the American History Essay Contest on the topic "I Spy Espionage -- During the American Revolution." She wrote her essay from the first person point of view of a witness to an attempt on General George Washington's life. She was invited to read her creative composition to her attentive and appreciative fifth-grade class at Aberdeen Elementary.

The NSDAR promotes interest in history through annual essay contests. Essays of the volunteer students are evaluated by a panel of three judges who determine the winners from all of the essays entered in the contest based on content accuracy, competent use of grammar and English usage, and quality of composition.