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UNIVERSITY LIGGETT SCHOOL \ NEWS \ NEWS

University Liggett School senior earns first-place in a national writing competition

University Liggett School senior Margaret Hartigan received a national award in Washington, D.C. for her essay “The Ships Columbus Used Versus the Ships of Today.”

Hartigan’s essay, which first received honors locally and statewide last spring, won first place in the nationwide competition, sponsored jointly by the National Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Italian American Foundation. More than 4,000 essays were submitted for the national competition. 

Hartigan first submitted her essay to the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Christopher Columbus writing contest at the urging of her history teacher, Chris Hemler. 

“As a parent, I am so very proud, but this is also a testament to Mr. Hemler, her teacher, and the education she has received at University Liggett School,” said her mother Virginia Hartigan. “Margaret is a good student, but she also works very hard.”

The Hartigan family traveled to Washington, D.C. where Margaret received her award in front of the Christopher Columbus monument in Union Square. During the ceremony, Margaret read her essay to the audience, which included the ambassadors to Italy and Spain. This annual event is sponsored by the National Christopher Columbus Association in cooperation with the National Park Service.