WCDS Middle School Student and Teacher Receive American History Awards

A Westchester Country Day School student and teacher have both received American history awards from the Alexander Martin chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Helen Clodfelter, an eighth grade student, was named the winner of this year’s DAR essay contest. She was selected from among middle school students from public schools and independent schools in High Point that are invited to participate. Her essay, titled “What I Lost for Freedom,” imagines the dialog between a member of the Continental Congress who has returned home and his wife, who is grieving the loss of their son in the battle of Concord.

Vanessa Sullens, Middle School history and literature teacher, was named American History Teacher of the Year. Sullens, in her second year of teaching at WCDS, has many years of experience as a master teacher. She teaches with a mix of energy, creativity, warmth and rigor that helps her connect with students and engage them in active participation said Cobb Atkinson, head of school, in her recommendation for the award.

“She builds her class activities with students as the central focus and offers wonderful opportunities for them to engage with the material, contribute to the discussion, and, most importantly, grapple with the challenging issues that we all encounter when we look back on our country’s past.”