The Fox River Valley Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution received their annual student recognition on Saturday, March 18, at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake.
Four local high school students were honored: three as DAR Good Citizens and one as the winner of the Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest.
Each student received a certificate, a pin, and a monetary award.
The DAR Good Citizen Award recognizes and rewards high school seniors who exhibit the qualities of dependence, service, leadership, and service to their country, prominently in their homes, schools, and communities.
Sponsors of the Fox River Valley Chapter of Hampshire, Huntley and Jacobs high schools.
Each school selects a winner, and then a student is invited to participate in an additional teaching essay from the chapter.
2023 Fox River Valley Class of DAR Good Citizens is Genovefa Bangert, Hampshire High School; Lyndsey Bajgrowicz, Huntley High School; and Sarah Jano, Jacobs High School.
Genovefa Bangert also received additional scholarship as a DAR Good Citizen Chapter winner to respond to the prompt essay “Preserving Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility” and the focus question on “How will the essential actions of a good citizen (dependability, responsibility, leadership, and patriotism) be the challenges that we face?” Is America facing this decade?
In 2022, the DAR Fathers of the American Revolution introduced the DAR High School Essay Contest in anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
For the essay, each student must choose a man, woman, or child from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783) and discuss how he or she, big or small, acted during the course of the American Revolution.
Cary-Grove High School junior Brady Seaburg was honored as the chapter winner for his essay titled “Baron von Steuben, Father of the US Foreign Army.”
Brady was also selected as the Illinois state winner and will be recognized later this month at the state conference.
If you are interested in learning more about the DAR and think you have a Rebel War lover in your bloodline, contact the Fox River Valley Chapter Registrar at geniejoan@comcast.net or the Chapter Regent at frvdar@gmail.com.
