Seniors from area high schools were recognized as Good Citizens by members of the Chester County Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) during a ceremony held on March 9 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester.
Recipients are Cole Walker, Avon Grove High School; Ralph Lintelman, B. Reed Henderson High School; Nina Nsereko, Bayard Rustin High School; Lillian Feist, Bishop Shanahan High School; Matthew Conroy, Chester County Technical College High School - Brandywine Campus; Kaia Morse, Coatesville Area Senior High School; Hannah Brostrom, Downingtown High School West; Kira Rybarczyk, Kennett Consolidated High School; Joseph Pizolato, Octorara Junior-Senior High School; Cameo Powell, Oxford Area High School; and David Akins, Unionville High School.
Beverly Lawler, chairperson of the Good Citizens Committee, explained that the honor is presented annually to students who demonstrate the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. The students are chosen for the honor by their respective high schools.
"In August, I contacted area high schools requesting their assistance in selecting one senior from their school who demonstrates the traits of a good citizen," she stated. "Today, we are honoring 11 students because of their commitments to their schools and their communities. These students will become the leaders of our future."
Lawler provided a brief history of the Good Citizens Award, which was established in 1934 and originally bestowed upon only one student per state. By 1952, the award was expanded so that each high school could select one Good Citizen honoree.
Lawler explained that Good Citizens have the option to apply for a scholarship at the state DAR level. Part of the application is completing an essay.
"Students are given a topic, and they have two hours to write an essay. They do not research the essay; they write from their own knowledge and experiences," said Lawler. "I selected two non-DAR community members to judge those applications."
For this year's essay, students had to respond to the question, "You and your peers are our nation's leaders of tomorrow. How would you energize America's youth to fully engage as effective citizens, and why is that important?"
"Kira was selected as this chapter's representative for the state competition, and we congratulate her," Lawler said.
Each Good Citizen was presented with a certificate and a lapel pin. Toni Keg from Sen. Andy Dinniman's office also presented the students with certificates of recognition.
Lawler recognized family members of the students, as well as high school principals and staff members who attended the event.
Attendees then enjoyed lunch and refreshments prepared by the DAR hostess committee. Guests were greeted by DAR regent Dawn Coughlan.
The Chester County DAR, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2019, is open to women age 18 and up who are able to provide proof of their ancestral connection to those who served in the American Revolution. For more information, readers may visit http://www.ccdar.wordpress.com.
Leave a Review