FREEHOLD, NJ – History in all its forms – from the beauty of houses lovingly preserved to a fifth-grader's essay about the horrors of the Armenian genocide – received recognition recently from the Monmouth County Historical Commission.
The Historical Commission announced the winners of the 2022 Fifth-Grade History Essay Contest.
“This year marks the Historical Commission's 29th year of holding the annual essay contest, and each year I am captivated by the student’s historical essays,” said Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Historical Commission.
James Badishkanian from Oak Hill Academy in Middletown was awarded first place for his essay, “A Boy From Dikranagerd.” And it was a riveting essay about his great-grandfather Robert's harrowing survival of a genocide by Turks in the town of Dikranagerd in Armenia.
The attack there killed Robert's family, except for one other brother. They were two of eight siblings. The two eventually made their way to America, where Robert and his wife, Rose, worked in various jobs in the early 1900s and ultimately became owners of a bridal gown business in Orange, still in operation today, the essay said.
As James put it "this is a very heartbreaking part of my family history, but it is very important to keep tragic events from happening again. My appreciation for history has grown."
Other students' essays were also recognized by the commission:
For example, second place went to Riley Lanigan from Atlantic Highlands Elementary School for her essay, “The Presidential Table.”
This was a story she learned from her grandmother about her great, great, great grandfather Peter Glass who emigrated from Germany in 1844 and was known for his marquetry work with wood.
In 1864 he was commissioned to make a tilt-top table for President Abraham Lincoln, which he did using 20,000 pieces of inlaid wood, the essay said. The table was on display in Chicago when the president was assassinated, but it still went to the Lincoln family. It now is at the Illinois Governor's Mansion. Riley said in the essay she was proud of her ancestor, she wrote, not just for his artistic skill, but that his gift was in honor a president who abolished slavery.
Third place was awarded to Madeline Dougherty from St. Leo the Great School in Middletown for her essay, “Twin Lights History,” and to Julianna Saliga from St. James Elementary School in Red Bank for her essay, “The Vietnam War Memorial Museum.”
“Many of our students write about historical sites they visited, and some write about their family’s history, which we believe helps increase their interest in history,”
Burry said.
The commission also announced the recipients of the county’s 2022 Historic Preservation Awards.
The awards are presented to individuals or organizations "who have undertaken restoration and preservation projects for historic buildings in Monmouth County.
“The Preservation Awards are a marvelous way to express our gratitude to those who have dedicated their time and money to preserve historical buildings in Monmouth County,” said Burry.
“Preserving these buildings and structures takes a lot of patience, and I am truly grateful to those who have committed themselves to helping conserve Monmouth County’s history.”
The Historical Commission recognized:
- Albert Wilcox and Jeffery Rudell for substantially restoring their 1887 Queen Anne Victorian House at 112 Main Ave. in Ocean Grove.
- Leslie and Jay Eaton were recognized for adaptively restoring their George Barlow 1892 Horse Barn and Carriage House at 916 Broad St. in Shrewsbury.
- Preston Filoz was recognized for rescuing and restoring his 1720 Dutch-framed Colonial House, known as Maple Hall, located at 409 Rt. 537, Colts Neck.
For information about the County’s Historical Commission visit the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/freehold/armenian-genocide-essay-fifth-grader-honored-monmouth-county
