Once again three students from Henry Maine’s eighth grade class at Western Hills Middle School have swept the Gaspee Day essay contest by winning first, second and third, with their essays about events, like the burning of the Gaspee, which helped spark change.

The official prompt asked students to write about a pre-revolutionary war era event that acted as a sparking event for change, as the burning of the Gaspee did in helping to spark the Revolution.  First place in the competition went to Wesley Abatecola, second to Nathan Jose and third to Giulio Broccoli.

Surprisingly, all three boys chose the Boston Massacre as their inspiration. Although, as another of the most well known events to aid in sparking the revolutionary war leading to the creation of the United States, perhaps it isn’t surprising at all.

“Learning about the Boston Massacre, how it took place, when it took place and what how dreadful what happened then was interesting,” said Giulio.

“I learned it wasn’t really what people made it out to be,” said Wesley, who took first place. “It was a lot of propaganda and that kind of stuff.”

“I found out how it first went down, and how the colonists were actually poking fun at the British,” said Nathan. “Then it kind of thrown out into a big deal and they started shooting at them leading it to become a really big event.”

While part of the prize is normally to take place in the Gaspee Day Parade, and be a part of the parade in a convertible, due to prior commitments none of the boys were able to make it. That didn’t stop the experience from being worth it though. First place took home $150, second $125 and third received $100. Additionally, each winner received a certificate noting their achievement.

Maine has no end of pride for the students he has seen enter the competition. After all, this isn’t the first time his students’ writing has swept the top three spots of the essay competition.

“My students have swept it. You know to be honest, between you and me, I think I’m the only teacher who enters. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years. I would say that my students, in that 20 year time span, have won first, second and third in a single year about six or seven times. Then on other years we’ll have a first, maybe second and third or some other combination of winners.”

Maine estimated  his students throughout the years have swept the completion close to 15 times. Out of 20 competitions total, that’s 75%. While Maine enters essays for his students every year, he said many other teachers but many can’t find the time among the current curriculum.

“I used to use it as part of my curriculum before we got the new computerized curriculum,  called study safe,” Maine said. “I’ve always been on a curriculum committee. When I worked on a curriculum I always made the essay a part of that curriculum. So, the kids would do it. They’d learn about the Gaspee and do a research paper. Then I would say why not enter you’ve already do the work. I would be entering 70 or 80 a year. Now it’s a lot less.”

Whether part of the curriculum or not, Maine has every intention of continuing the tradition of looking for students willing to enter the competition, even if he has to sweeten the deal a little.

“I did offer an incentive, “ Maine said. “I told them that anyone who entered, because it was extra and beyond what we were doing in class, anyone that wrote a satisfactory essay would get ten points on the end of the unit test.”

So, for those with seventh graders entering eighth grade next year, remember to remind them that learning history doesn’t just make you richer mentally, but can put a few bucks in your pocket as well. Of course, that’s only if Maine’s students don’t beat you to the prize.

To read the winning essays yourself, go to www.gaspee.com/events/essay/2023.