The Transylvania Times -

Brooke LaRowe was honored by the members of the Waightstill Avery Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at their February meeting. Brooke, a fifth grade student at Brevard Elementary School, was the Transylvania County winner of DAR's 2017-18 American History Essay Contest.

The essay topic this year was "World War I: Remembering The War To End All Wars." This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the "Great War."

Carleen Davis, chairwoman of the American History Committee, told the audience that Brooke loves to sing and is in the Brevard Elementary School's choir. She also loves to travel.

Davis also related that according to Brooke's mother, Brooke has admired punctuality from a very young age. Before her first day of school five years ago, Brooke asked for an alarm clock so that she could be responsible for getting to school on time. Since that first day of first grade, Brooke continues to set her alarm and arrive at school on time.

Brooke, before reading her essay, was presented with a medal, a certificate and a monetary award. After reading her essay, she enjoyed a standing ovation and prolonged applause from the admiring audience.

Special guests included Brooke's parents, Eric and Amanda LaRowe; principal of Brevard Elementary School, April Gaydosh; AGI teacher, Lisa Pauer, and instructional coach, Barbara Winberry.

Davis recognized her committee members for their conscientious work in reading and evaluating all the essays that were submitted. Members were Faye Coan, Pat Clow, Portia Odell, Dayna Pollett, Molly Tartt and Margaret Teal.

(The Waightstill Avery Chapter NSDAR was established in 1921. Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution is open to any woman aged 18 or older who can prove her direct descent from a person who furthered the cause of American independence during the years 1776-1783. For information, visit http://www.dar.org.)