Vivian Bufano, the daughter of Jill and Christopher Bufano of Red Bank, was the local and state winner of the recent Daughters of the American Revolution Essay contest for fifth grade students. Vivian is a student at St. Leo‘s school in Lincroft and was entered into the state competition because of her first place winner in the local contestant which included participants from eight schools.
Vivian’s entry was sponsored by the Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and followed the strict and precise regulations set down by the national organization.
In addition to choosing to write about one of the three other tea parties held prior to the Revolution in addition to the famed one at Boston, students had to give their reasons for selecting the specific tea party each chose, then in 500 words describe the event from the point of view of a person actually at the tea party.
Vivian, who is a straight A student at St. Leo’s and attends mass at St. Leo the Great Church, chose to write about the tea party at Edenton, NC saying simply she chose that particular town because it was a small town and one she had never heard of before.
She said she found the research into the Revolutionary period thrilling and was thrilled to be selected as both the state and local winner, as well as the honor of reading her essay along with other grade level winners. But, she added, firmly, she would not have liked living in the South during the 1700s, “because girls and women did not have many rights.”
While Language Arts is her favorite school subject since she enjoys writing and creating stories, Vivian said she also likes math because she finds it fun!.
However, outside the classroom and academics, the fifth grader also attended dance at the Academy of Dance Arts in Tinton Falls and performs annually in their production of the Nutcracker at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, She has her mind set on becoming a professional in a ballet company when she is older, but will not put aside her love and ability to write at the same time.
Academics is important in the Bufano family. Vivian’s older brother, Preston, is an honor student at Christian Brothers Academy.
For Vivian, as a student and parishioner of St. Leo’s, it has also been a banner year because of the election of Pope Leo XIV earlier this month and the fact their parish is named for Leo XIII, who the new Pope admired and revered. Another special admiration for the new Pope is because he chose the same named as her great grandfather in selecting Leo.
Both the fun of research, then writing from the viewpoint of an 18th century women and the honor of being selected as the local winner but also the state winner, Vivian said that while this was her first entry in a writing contest, it is certainly not her last and she is looking forward to the DAR chapter’s competition for sixth graders next year.
The essay, in addition to requiring a minimum of four resources, was based on historical accuracy, interest to the reader, organizational skills, vocabulary and English spelling and grammar perfection.
Vivian’s essay was written from the point of view of a woman who actually participated in the Edenton Tea Party.
The Edenton Tea Party
By Vivian Bufano
I’m so nervous and filled with so much excitement about tomorrow I can hardly sleep! who would have thought I, Elizabeth Moore would be doing something so brave, so courageous, so powerful?
It all started when my neighbor Penelope Barker came to me asking if I would sign her petition against our greedy and cruel motherland and its unfair tea taxes! I had of course heard about the Boston protestors and them dumping 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor and there have been reports of tea being burned in Wilmington as well! It’s hard to even imagine the sight of tea being burned, but the taxes are so oppressive and controlling!
The women of Wilmington are so inspirational and have boldly shown we colonists won’t stand for this unequal treatment and the time has come to demand our independence. The time has come for us in Edenton to do the same! I am so proud of Penelope for taking charge and organizing this petition. Penelope is my wonderful neighbor, and her husband is our colony’s treasurer. Mr. Barker and my husband share beliefs about the future of our little town and the importance of our port.
Even though we are a small port in comparison to Boston, we are vital and growing! I could tell Penelope was nervous when she approached me and passionately told me her beliefs and plan! I could not believe she had even written a petition and had a few signatures already. Most signatures were names I recognized, and I wasn’t at all surprised to see the name of Mary Moore on there! Moore’s husband was a wealthy merchant, and I know these taxes are affecting his trade terribly!
Before signing myself I thought perhaps I should discuss it with my husband first.’ Penelope bravely pulled out a letter she intended on sending to The Morning chronicle and London Advertiser, a British newspaper. After reading the letter in full a fire was lit within me and I signed immediately! I too was ready to protest, ready to show our strength and desire for true freedom’ ready to even burn tea if necessary !
Later that evening, once my husband was home from his job at the bustling Edenton Port, I told him about Penelope’s visit. I was fearful he might be angry with me for signing the petition without first discussing it with him.
My fears quickly disappeared when he jumped up and hugged me, telling me how proud he was of me and how brave I was for supporting Penelope’s cause! I was so relieved and with his blessing I joined Penelope’s quest for more petition signatures!
Together we have collected more than 50 signatures! Can you believe it? After meeting together for weeks, we have decided that tomorrow will be the day for true action! Tomorrow is the day our petition and Penelope’s brave letter declare our freedom and inform England and her tyrannical leaders we will no longer be buying, trading, and drinking tea! We are taking it another step and refusing to buy British clothing and all other goods! I am aware this is a bold choice, but I firmly believe it’s the only way to prove our commitment to the cause!
We are united and our voices will be heard! Tomorrow is a new day, and I am proud to be part of it standing alongside my neighbors and friends! Not buying tea may be very difficult, but falling asleep when I am bubbling over with all this excitement and hope may prove to be even more difficult!
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