Lake Minnetonka DAR Unveils American History Awards

Note: This is a news release from the Lake Minnetonka Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Lake Minnetonka Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently honored award winners for two newly established patriotic awards at its annual chapter meeting on April 12.

The Lake Minnetonka DAR is pleased to announce that its entrant, Kristen Busch, an eighth-grader at Wayzata West Middle School, has won the Minnesota state American History Essay Contest, part of the national NSDAR competition. Kristen's essay titled," Forgotten Patriots who Supported the American Struggle for Independence," tells of the life of James Otis Jr., a member of the Massachusetts provincial assembly and an early advocate of the Patriot views against British policy that led to the American Revolution. She will receive recognition on May 18 at the 118th Minnesota State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (MNSSDAR) State Conference. 

The first Lake Minnetonka DAR Outstanding American History Teacher” Awards, recognizing and honoring the study of American History, were presented to three teachers of excellence, chosen by their district superintendents. They are Amanda Aiken, Minnetonka School District; Mandy Kraus, Wayzata School District; and Jared Shogren, Orono School District. The awards are based upon criteria including the ability to create student interest through proactive teaching, innovative protocol, and other means above the usual classroom teaching methodology. These American History awards are the first awards of their kind for the Lake Minnetonka DAR Chapter in its quest to promote preservation and education of our country’s heritage.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.