Keene student wins Battle of Plattsburgh poster contest

KEENE | More an artist than historian, Orra Sprague was nevertheless captivated by the thought that a major naval battle between two world powers — one established, one emerging — could have occurred right over the mountains on Lake Champlain. "That was pretty crazy," she said, after hearing about the Battle of Plattsburgh from Keen Central history teacher Brad Hurlburt. So the sixth-grader was more than happy to enter the annual Battle of Plattsburgh poster contest, sponsored by the nonprofit 1814 Commemoration Inc., choosing as her subject the American naval commander Thomas Macdonough, with an eagle soaring over his left shoulder. Out of 100 submissions from Clinton and Essex counties, the poster was judged the best by a panel of 15 art teachers under the auspices of the New York State Art Teachers Association. The second- through fourth-place finishers were Calla Oest of Cumberland Head School in Beekmantown; Lily Leigel of Oak Street School in Plattsburgh; and Evie Ford of Cumberland Head. "I like history and I love art," said Orra, after being presented with the first place award at an outdoor ceremony with her class on Wednesday. Her entry also adorned the official medallions for the Battle of Plattsburgh festivities. Orra said she prefers to draw people, but it was Macdonough's stately uniform, navy blue with gold buttons, piping and epaulets, that made him too good to pass up. It was Macdonough who came to the rescue of the Americans as the British came thundering down from the north. At this point in its young history, America had yet to get the hang of lavish military spending, so before Macdonough could command a fleet of warships he first had to build them, which he did over in Vermont before sailing north to meet the enemy. In 1814 the British, with embarrassing ease, had entered the nation's capital and burned the White House; it would be up to Macdonough, a month later, to reclaim the momentum. He and his sailors excelled that day, and the British advance was halted. Five months later, the war was over. Keene Central Principal Bob Woughter said cross-pollinating the disciplines of history and art added interest for the students, and that the poster contest presented a good and effective learning opportunity. The contest was initiated in 1998 by Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Association volunteer Jane Claffey, and is back after a one-year hiatus due to Covid. The City of Plattsburgh sponsors the monetary prizes, and the winners were honored at the Commemoration parade on Saturday, Sept. 11. "I'm sure this is one of many more awesome things to come for you and your classmates," Woughter told Orra during the gathering in Keene.

Signup for our newsletter

Keene student wins Battle of Plattsburgh poster contest

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS