During an exciting first year of the Wright Administration, the American History Committee has looked for ways to improve the essay contests. The biggest change is that essays will now be submitted electronically at each level beginning with the Chapter and so on all the way to National. Changes have been made to all essay contests forms and will be updated by July 1. The American History Essay Contest for grades 5 – 8 will now have a submission form as the title page, a new judging rubric, and a list of resources replacing the more formal bibliography. Completing the submission form will ensure no student will be disqualified based on the former title page. Students will also be able to submit an entry directly to a DAR chapter if their class or school is not participating. Chapters are encouraged to reach out beyond the schools to include their community libraries, YMCA, and other youth organizations. Our hope is this will increase chapter and student participation.