DAR Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest

By Kathryn Nun

January 16, 2004

Each year the Daughters of the American Revolution present a Good Citizens Program and Scholarship contest. The contest is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. Students from all area schools are invited to take part. The school chooses three High School Seniors from their school. Out of those three, one is voted on to participate in the contest. The contest consists of part one, a personal overview of the student's school achievements, and community involvement. They arc to present two letters of recommendation and an official transcript. The part two is the Essay, to be administered by a faculty member, written within a two hour time setting, without assistance of reference materials. The subject is given at the time of the writing, the subject this year being, "Our American Heritage and our Responsibility for Preserving it."

The qualities of a Good Citizen are Dependability, Service, Leadership, and Patriotism. This year we have had response from all 12 schools in our DAR Chapter area. The students who have competed have all shown these qualities and have done an excellent job with the essay but of course we can only have ONE overall winner. All students who took part in the contest are already winners, because they were the one student chosen to represent their school. This year our winner Joshua Wittler, from Pritchett High School received a $150 cash award. All contestants received a certificate of accomplishment and the DAR Good Citizens Pin.

I would like to thank the Judges of the contest. They had a hard job making the decision as to the winner of the Good Citizens Award.

Other students who entered the contest were: Jamie Gail Richardson - Jamie is a senior from Eads High School and is the daughter of Neil and Connie Richardson. She is senior class vice President, Band President, and lettered in volleyball and basketball. She is the 1st Chair Bass Clarinet in the Southeastern Colorado Honor Band, and is in the Honor Choir. Jamie volunteers to play the piano for the Nursing home and is one of the youngest EMT’s for Kiowa County. She has influenced her underclassmen to also become EMTs. She plans to attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to achieve a degree in nursing.

Kami Jolynn Stum - Kami is a senior from PIainview High School. She is the daughter of Monte Stum. Kami has lettered for Knowledge bowl, varsity basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and varsity track. She is a member of National Honor Society and has been involved in the regional and State science fair competition. She was the team captain for 2 years in the Matchwits program. Kami is involved in many community service projects through 4-H and her church.

She went to Peru, South America on a mission trip through 'Teen Mania Ministry's Global Expedition' and vacationed in Germany, visiting her German exchange student and family. Kami plans to attend University of Colorado in Colorado Springs but is still exploring possibilities in teaching, child psychology, sports medicine or world travel in the mission field.