Battle of Plattsburgh 2026 art contest winner: Harper Trim

PLATTSBURGH | Fourth graders took home design awards and prizes in the Battle of Plattsburgh button and poster contest for this year. Harper Trim, of Morrisonville Elementary School, won first place in a close competition. Christian Field, of Lake Placid Elementary School, won second place. Autum Guastella, from Rouses Point Elementary, took third, and Carsen LaValley of Morrisonville Elementary came in fourth place. Tom Donahue, president of 1814 Commemoration Inc. announced the winners at City Hall on June 3. In keeping with tradition, he presented the first button to City Mayor Wendell Hughes, only it was a replica button, since the batch of official 2026 event keepsakes were delayed in shipment. "Each year we have a contest to design the Battle of Plattsburgh button. We send out information to all of the schools in Essex and Clinton counties," Donahue said. "The New York State Art Teachers Association ran the program, which is open to all fourth-grade students in the counties." 1814 Commemoration Education Committee chair Linda Ward coordinated distribution of contest packets. Beekmantown Central School Art teacher Shannon Piché-Smith, NYSATA Region 5 chair, spearheaded the team of judges who viewed each design, submitted anonymously. First-place winner Harper said the project was a lot of fun to work on. "It took two to three days," she said of the art she drew from a perspective above the gunboat. "I had a vision of what I wanted to do. I do like to draw." Prizes were awarded to each winner, including $100 for first place. Donahue said the contest was open to about 1,300 students. "They get to learning important history about the Battle of Plattsburgh. Right here in our own backyard was one of the most important events in history as far as keeping our country America as we know it today." Mayor Hughes congratulated the young artists. "I don't know how they picked a winner, you all did an amazing job," he said. In her remarks, Education Committee chairwoman Ward thanked the children for their artistic work and contribution to 2026 Battle of Plattsburgh events, encouraging teachers throughout the region to participate. "The children learn about their history," she said, "and they learn how great it is to be a part of it. We've been doing this since 1998, and every winner from 1998 is in our archives." MACDONOUGH MONUMENT REDEDICATION: 100 YEARS Donahue gave a snapshot view of Battle of Plattsburgh schedule of events and ceremony coming in September, beginning Sept. 9 and through Sept. 13. There will be major celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Macdonough Monument, which was completed in 1926. On Thursday, Sept. 10, the committee is hosting a 100th Commemoration of the Thomas Macdonough Memorial, Donahue said, citing the official name of the 135-foot obelisk that stands with an eagle perched on its peak in front of City Hall. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. with musical fanfare from the Police Pipe & Drums corps of Plattsburgh and the U.S. Army Band from the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. "1814 Commemoration Inc. is honored to be partnering with the City of Plattsburgh Mayor Hughes to host a rededication ceremony," Donahue said. "Thursday, Sept. 10 is the day we set aside for this. "One hundred years ago, over 7,000 people surrounded City Hall here and the monument for the first dedication." It will be a military-style ceremony, added Ward. The monument represents a vital moment of American History, she said. "After the battle was won, within weeks (in 1814) people got together and commemorated the victory," she said. 1814 Commemoration Inc. is hosting a similar gathering this year to revive that sense of accomplishment with at least six members of the Macdonough family attending. The Celebratory Gathering will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Valcour Inn from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. "It's really important history that we're trying to preserve," Ward said. The federal government and the State of New York decided there should be a monument in tribute to Naval Commander Thomas Macdonough, she summed. A commission was set up to design the monument. "Franklin D. Roosevelt was on that committee before he was president. He was very influential in determining what the design would be, getting the money for it, and when it was dedicated in 1926, he was here." He also attended the celebratory dinner. Formally named the Thomas Macdonough Memorial, the obelisk is a replica of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., Ward said. "It's a little shorter, but we have the eagle. And it needs to be preserved." After this 100th year celebration, they will begin a campaign to formulate preservation efforts. Battle of Plattsburgh commemoration includes music and reenactors, museum events, markets, musters, history talks and the parade on Saturday at 1 p.m. A full slate of events for 2026 Battle of Plattsburgh and rededication of the Thomas Macdonough Memorial is complete. For more information about activities, ceremonies, reeanctments and ways to volunteer time to help, visit the 1814 Commemoration Inc. website: battleofplattsburgh.com

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Battle of Plattsburgh 2026 art contest winner: Harper Trim

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