GEORGE S. & STELLA M. KNIGHT ESSAY CONTEST

Contest Overview

The Knight Essay Contest is a youth program sponsored by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution beginning in 1988. In 1995 the contest was named after George Knight (a Virginia Society compatriot and former state president) and his wife to honor a generous donation they made to support the contest. He was a long-time SAR member and past Virginia SAR president. The contest encourages high school students (no gender restrictions) to research a topic pertaining to the American Revolutionary War time period and then write an essay on their topic. The contest promotes historical accuracy, significance, and good writing skills. The ability to write clearly and effectively while engaging the reader are important in many aspects of life, and the SAR hopes to encourage students to develop and refine these skills. 

Virginia’s winners have a long history of success in the essay contest with five national winners since 1995–the most of any state in the national contest. 

Entering the Contest

Participants will need to contact a local SAR chapter where they will potentially compete (if there are multiple entries) to be selected as the Chapter winner. To find a local chapter, contact the state chairman at the email address below.

Each chapter manages its own process, but most chapters will recruit participants through the early school year (September to December), select a winner by the end of December, and submit their winning essay to the state essay chairman by email no later than January 5th. Judging takes place soon thereafter and winners are announced at the Virginia SAR annual meeting in February. Prizes at the state level are as follows:

  • First:     $1,000
  • Second: $500
  • Third:     $300

State entries are due to the National Chairman by February 15 and the first through fifth place winners are announced at the SAR Annual Congress in July. National level prizes are:

  • First:      $6,000 plus up to $1,500 for travel expenses
  • Second: $3,000
  • Third:     $2,000
  • Fourth:      $500
  • Fifth:         $500

Additional Information

For more information about the contest, or for more details about contacting a local chapter, please email the Chairman Richard Sherman at [email protected].

Further information about the Essay contest, including the Essay Rules and the Essay Application form, can be found at the National SAR George & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest webpage.

Knight Essay Contest Committee

For more information about the Knight Essay Contest Committee, compatriot benefits for supporting this program, or for more details about contacting a local chapter, please email the Chairman Richard Sherman at [email protected].

The Virginia State Society Essay Contest Committee has several functions:

  • Provide a central point of contact for anyone in the state interested in participating in the essay contest

  • Provide resources and guidance to Virginia SAR chapters on recruiting contestants, running a local contest, and selecting the best candidate to enter in the state competition.

  • Accept chapter submissions, review and judge them, and submit the State winner to the National contest

  • Coordinate travel for state winners that are chosen to participate in person at the SAR Annual Congress and support those participants as they represent Virginia.