Lokelani Middle School students Ashlee Guerrero (left) and Kiara Moyer wrote essays for the annual National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s American History essay contest. Guerrero’s essay won first place on the local and state levels. — Photo courtesy ROSETTA HIRANAGA

Ashlee Guerrero, an eighth grader at Lokelani Intermediate School, won first place in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution American History essay contest on both the local and state levels.

The local Haleakala Chapter promotes the annual contest.

Guerrero received a $100 prize, certificate, medal and a poster displaying an excerpt of her essay.

Every fall, the Haleakala Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosts the essay contest for interested students in grades 5-8. The topic varies each year but always involves the American Revolution. March 5, 2020 marked the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, so participating students were asked to imagine living in Boston on March 5, 1770, and write an essay describing their family’s discussion about the Boston Massacre and what role it played in organizing against the British monarchy.