Knights Essay Contest |
Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest |
The program is designed to give high school students an opportunity to explore events that shaped American history. At Chapter, State Society, and National Society levels, students must submit an original essay, with topics based on original research and deal with an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Cash award. (Grades 9-12)
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The Rumbaugh Oration contest, open to all students in grades 9-12 supports the SAR education objectives by perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, tragedy and triumph of the men and women who achieved the independence of the American people. These stories are universal ones of man’s eternal struggle against tyranny, relevant to all time, and will inspire and strengthen each generation as it is called upon to defend our freedoms on the battlefield and in our public institutions. The Orations Contest has the endorsement and seal of approval on our web-site of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Our Chapter members are the primary drivers in stimulating students to participate. They work through teachers of all subjects in the school system and the Home School Associations. The contest culminates in an inspiring National Orations Contest held each year, with State winners representing their respective Societies and Districts.
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Charles B. and Eleanor Schweizer American History Teacher Award |
American Elementary School Poster |
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This purpose of this award is to recognize and Outstanding Social Studies teachers. Each year, An extraordinary educator at private, public, and parochial institution who teach children in a middle school, high school, community college, or university is recognized for actively addressing the history of the American Revolution era. The Charles B. and Eleanor N. Schweizer American History Teacher Award is presented to a teacher whose instruction on the era from 1750-1800 demonstrates education efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above current, accepted, curriculum requirements. The Illinois winner receives a $500 award and is recognized at the Illinois Society Annual Meeting in May. The teacher is also entered in the National Society competition.
Award Recipients
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This contest is open to students in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade, depending on when the American Revolution is taught in their school system. This includes public, private, parochial, charter and home schooled students. The contest is also open to members of the C.A.R., Cub Scouts and Brownies who are in the same grade if their school does not participate. Judging is based upon portrayal of the theme, originality, evidence of research, neatness, artistic merit and creativity. The permanent themes are "Revolutionary War Events" in school years ending in an even number and "Revolutionary War Persons" in school years ending in an odd number. National winners receive a ribbon, certificate and a cash award. Prizes on the state and chapter level vary. (Grades 3-5). Award program details to come.
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Good Citizenship Awards
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The General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter of the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution began it's annual SAR Good Citizenship/Scholarship Banquet in April 2000 in Bloomington, IL. From 2000 through 2006 each recipient received a $500 scholarship (with Matthew Diller receiving $300 in 2001). From 2007 through 2016 the monetary amount awarded was raised to $1,000 for one winning student. Beginning in 2017 we are happy to announce that we will be awarding TWO - $1,000 scholarships to our winning student participants! Three given in 2025 to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.
The scholarship is awarded to the outstanding senior student selected from applications from each of the 20 public and private high schools within McLean and Woodford counties. Nominees are graded on their participation in activities demonstrating their dependability, cooperation, leadership, patriotism, and scholastic abilities. In addition, the GJB SAR Chapter also has programs for seven high schools in Iroquois County and for six high schools in Livingston County. 
20 H.S. seniors from McLean & Woodford Counties receive commendations for outstanding citizenship at the April 2025 SAR luncheon along with select SAR leadership. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
Tyler Benjamin Schappaugh---Calvary Christian Academy Oliver J Rohrig---Central Catholic High School Benjamin Hunter Shearin---Cornerstone Christian Academy Aubrey Rose Phillips---El Paso-Gridley High School Meika Joy Bender---Eureka High School Zachary H Johnson---Fieldcrest High School Jacob Michael Hartwig---Heyworth High School Bohdan Louis Zeleznik---LeRoy High School Nathan Samuel Steffen---Lexington High School Drew DeWalt---Lowpoint-Washburn High School Shae Robert Seals---Metamora Township High School Kyle David Beaty---Normal Community High School Makaii Pickett---Normal Community West High School Nora Nicole Collins---Olympia High School Abram G Cutrell---Prairie Central High School James Edward Bogue---Ridgeview High School Mary Geraldine Goett---Roanoke-Benson High School Brayden Cole Stombaugh--Tri-Valley High School Luxcene G Nsindu---University High School Livingston County for 2025 Kasandra Hughes: Tri-point High School (2025) Jacob Dewald: Pontiac High School (2025) Tiffany Rustman: Flanagan-Cornell High School (2025) Kyle Bliss: Woodland High School (2025) |
Scholarship Recipients Three high school seniors (shown below) were awarded the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarships presented by Jay Cummins (GJBSAR President), Bill Wheeler (LSSAR President) & Sheahon J. Zenger, PhD (Keynote Speaker & IWU President) at the 9 April 2025 GJBSAR luncheon event.
(click on photo for large view)
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Additional Educational Programs
Eagle Scout Awards |
ROTC Contest and Awards |
GJBSAR CHAPTER 2024 EAGLE SCOUT AWARD. The GJBSAR chapter has chosen Robert Null II for the 2024 GJBSAR King Eagle Scout Award. Congratulations to Robert (Troop 918): the presentation of his award and recitation of his patriotic essay will be at an upcoming GJB meeting in 2025.
Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest
This competition is open to Eagle Scouts who are registered in an active unit and have not reached their 19th birthday during the year of application. To enter, an application must be submitted at the Chapter level, consisting of a two-page application form, four-generation ancestry chart, and a 500 word patriotic theme. Like other competitions described above, this one is conducted at all three levels--local, state and national. Beginning in 2019 the GJBSAR provided to the first place winner of the GJBSAR local competition a cash award. The current GJBSAR award amount is $750. The winner also receives a medal and competition patch. All those submitting an application receive a competition patch.
Eagle Scout Certificates of Recognition In addition the GJBSAR chapter awards Certificates of Recognition to those who attain the rank of Eagle Scout and reside in Iroquois, Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties.
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GJRSAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL & SCHOLARSHIP: 2025 Winner is Cadet Tyler Evans. Cadet Evans is a sophomore at ISU from Naperville, Illinois. Presenting the award is GJBSA President Jay Cummins and Dan Leifel, Veterans/ROTC chair.
The Silver ROTC medal and certificate endeavors to foster the principle of “citizen-soldier” exemplified by the original Minutemen. The SAR ROTC Medal is approved by the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force. Each service has notified its ROTC Units of this approval and has authorized presentation to its cadets or midshipmen. The award can be presented by a state society or a chapter to students enrolled in ROTC programs. The medal endeavors to foster the principle of "citizen-soldier" exemplified by the Minutemen. Recipients are selected for a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence. The recipients are selected by the Commander Officer of the ROTC unit. The GJB SAR ROTC awardee receives the Silver SAR ROTC Medal, a certificate and a scholarship.
The SAR/JROTC high school level award fosters the principle of "citizen-soldier" as exemplified by the American Revolution's Minuteman. The process of selection begins with the JROTC Unit’s Senior Military Instructor (SMI). Qualified cadets are then selected through Chapter, State Society, and National Society levels of the contest competition. Selection criteria include demonstrated leadership potential, military bearing, and scholastic achievement. Each cadet must submit an original essay on a topic designated by the ROTC/JROTC & Services Academy Liaison Committee. (Nominated cadet must be a Junior in High School) GJB SAR ROTC AWARDS
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