Ellen Hill, center, of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presents awards Tuesday to Holy Sepulcher School sixth grader Lauren Freimuth and eighth grader Kurt Stridinger for their winning essays. The organization has about 870,000 members in more than 3,000 chapters. It was started in 1890 for historic, educational and patriotic purposes. The essay contest is held annually for students in grades five through eight and awards are given on chapter, state and national levels. This year's topic was "Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery." Essay chapter winners received a certificate and a bronze medal.