Eli Beal's state award-winning poster on Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, is now on display at the national headquarters of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution in Louisville, Kentucky.

This honor comes after Beal, a Halifax Academy student, won the national competition in July, said Ken Wilson, North Carolina SSAR president, in a presentation at the school today.

Beal becomes the first North Carolina winner in the five-year history of the contest, Wilson said.

The SSAR coordinated the contest with local schools, the organization choosing the topic of Marion, whom the character Benjamin Martin in the movie The Patriot is loosely based.

Wilson with the poster after it was announced the national winner.

Beal, who is a historical weapons enthusiast and would like to be a gunsmith, said he was drawn to Marion. “He used strategy to get the enemy and used guerilla tactics. It is amazing knowing the people who fought for us.”

“I'm very proud of him,” said his mother, Karen Hall.

Wilson, who gives talks at schools about the American Revolution and proper flag care, said it is important to keep this history alive. “You can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been. These patriots pledged their lives and liberty. You don't see that much anymore.”