Nine Washington County students win DAR's Good Citizen Award

March 23, 2007|by JANET HEIM

Nine role models of leadership and character represented their high schools at the Good Citizens Award Meeting and Tea. The event - co-sponsored by the Antietam and Conocheague chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution - was held in their honor at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, March 21.

One senior was chosen from each public high school and St. Maria Goretti High School by their guidance counselor or school faculty as the DAR Good Citizen. They were selected for possessing the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

Each student wrote an essay on the topic "Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It."

Eileen Renwick, of the Antietam Chapter, and Judith Hotsko, of the Conococheague Chapter, served as Good Citizen Tea chairpersons. Students were joined by family members and school representatives. Ruth Ann Callaham and Bernadette Wagner represented the Washington County Board of Education.

As each student was presented with their certificate, pin and $75 savings bond, select portions of their essay or the piece they wrote about themselves were read aloud. Their achievements and career goals were then highlighed.

High academic standing, including several who are currently ranked first in their class, participations in sports, student government, honor societies extracurricular school activities, drama and/or music, part-time jobs and volunteer work through church or other organizations were included in the students lengthy lists of accomplishments.

All of the students plan to attend college, with career interests ranging from history and political science to pharmacy to engineering to working for Homeland Security.

"I feel more confident about the future, knowing our country is in good hands," Renwick concluded.