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Cardozo Students Win Civil War Essay Contest
R Essay
Cardozo Middle School students recently participated in the Stanislaus Civil War Associations essay contest as part of its celebration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. The three authors each read their works at a meeting in a Modesto restaurant, before the awards were announced. Shown, from left, Elaina Guardado, first place; second place Zachary Dressel; and third place winner Sarah Richardson. Ric McGinnis/The News

 

Three eighth grade students who attend Cardozo Middle School in Riverbank received cash awards in a recent competition put on by the Stanislaus Civil War Association in Modesto.

The three were among those from the school who participated in the contest when Modesto City Schools classes were not interested, according to board member Joe Maxwell, organizer of the event. After Modesto schools declined to participate, Maxwell said, association member Cal Campbell, of Riverbank, volunteered to contact the Riverbank school to see if they wanted to become involved.

The three students, Elaina Guardado, Zachary Dressel and Sarah Richardson, placed in that order, first, second, third. Guardado took home $200, Dressel, $100, and Richardson, $50. Principal Pete Petrakis was in attendance for the awards, as were the proud parents of the students.

As part of the program, each student read the essay they entered in the competition. Richardson wrote about the major elements of the conflict between the states, and how things progressed through the war. Dressel wrote about the Monitor and the Merrimac, their several battles, and how ‘Ironclad’ ship combat changed the face of naval warfare throughout the world. Guardado wrote about the socio-economic aspects of the war and the impacts they had on life in our country during and after the civil war.

The Stanislaus Civil War Association is a group of people of all ages, dedicated to the enjoyment of the history of the American Civil War era. They are accepting new members, with a two-fold mission to serve the community’s education need concerning the war through presentations by historians, authors and artists and preserve civil war historical treasures including battlefields, landmarks, relics and cemeteries through fundraising activities and volunteer work.

Members of the group, both men, women and families, participate several times a year in re-enactments of civil war battles and life on the front. Their most recent event was at Knights Ferry the weekend of March 21 and 22. They will be participating in the Las Mariposas Civil War Days re-enactment on April 18 and 19 in Mariposa. They’ve also got two weekend events coming up in May.

The civil war group meets monthly, on the first Monday, at Coach’s Corner, Oakdale Road in Modesto.

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