Aaron Long
Aaron Long’s essay “Christopher Columbus: In His Own Time, in History and Today” was the Southeast Division winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Christopher Columbus Essay Contest. The McCallie School junior is now one of eight regional writers competing for the national award.
The contest asked entrants to examine how Columbus was viewed in different time periods.
In a 1,000-word piece, Aaron explained how Columbus’ status in the world’s eyes went from exulted to ridiculed to glorified as a great explorer to indignation over his mistreatment of native Americans.
The annual contest is sponsored by the Tennessee Society of the DAR.
He was notified April 13 by the National Society DAR of his selection as the Southeastern winner, a region which includes students from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The essays of the eight divisional winners will be judged by the National Italian American Foundation. The national winner will be the guest of the NIAF and will be flown to Washington, D.C., to read his or her essay on Oct. 8, which is Columbus Day.
Aaron is a day student from Signal Mountain and is the son of Ira and Catherine Long.