Local High School Students win National Essay Contest and Scholarship Will attend “Congressional Seminar” in Washington, D.C.

DOVER, NH — Two students from Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover will receive a one-of-kind educational opportunity provided by the National Society of The Colonial Dames and the Washington Workshops Foundation.

Sophomores, Emily Scire of Dover, NH and Andrew Cunningham of York, ME won a national essay contest sponsored by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA). Essay winners receive a full scholarship to attend the 2011 Congressional Seminar this June 18–24 in Washington, D.C.

Emily Scire is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Scire of Dover, NH. Andrew Cunningham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Cunningham of York, ME.

Presented by the Washington Workshop Foundation – a nonprofit educational organization located in Washington, D.C. – the Congressional Seminar engages qualified high school students in active legislative simulation during a week-long Model Congress. Playing the roles of freshman representatives, speakers, lobbyists, and caucus leaders, participants work to draft, revise, and hopefully pass a bill through a vote of their seminar peers.

Additionally, seminar participants – who hail from 30 states and social backgrounds - enjoy lectures, site visits and personal interactions with Washington, D.C.-based policy makers, professionals, and Representatives.

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America actively promotes national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. Founded in 1891, the NSCDA is an association of 45 Corporate Societies with over 15,000 members. The Society headquarters are located in Washington, D.C. Programs and projects include the annual national essay contest.

Since 1967, the Washington Workshops Foundation has provided experience-based, educational travel programs to highly motivated, academically prepared, and inquisitive students from across the United States and around the world. The majority of these programs have brought students to Washington, D.C. for a more comprehensive understanding of leadership, civic education, federal government, U.S politics, and global affairs.

This year’s NSCDA essay topic was related to George Washington’s warning against the advent of political parties in his 1796 Farewell Address.

Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover is located at 20 Seaborne Drive, Dover, NH. PCA offers a challenging academic curriculum from preschool through high school along with competitive athletic programs and other stimulating extra-curricular activities. For more information, visit the school’s web site at www.pcaschool.org or call 603.742.3617.