SAR/DAR Good Citizens’ Luncheon hosted February 8
The Arthur United Methodist Church hosted the 65th annual Stephen A. Douglas Chapter, DAR/SAR (National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution/Sons of the American Revolution) Good Citizens’ Luncheon on Saturday, February 8, 2020. There were approximately forty in attendance including the awardees, parents, DAR members, and guests. Ruth Miller with help of her church catered the meal.
Martha Burris gave the welcome and Chaplain Karel Welch gave the invocation. Charlotte Wax, Flag Chairman and past Regent led the Pledge to the American flag and Areta Joines, Treasurer and past Regent led the group in the American’s Creed.
Mrs. Joines presented Ava Sherwood, seventh grader from Atwood Hammond with the American History Essay Award. Her teacher, Mrs. Hollingsworth, was also introduced.
Martha Burris, Good Citizens Chairman of the Stephen A. Douglas DAR Chapter, presented the DAR awards to the five high school seniors: Rocio Gomez – Arcola, Kaylee Yeakel – ALAH, Isabella Carroll – Shiloh, Kelsey Slaughter– Tuscola, and Grace Hutchison – Villa Grove. A brief description of the nomination and selection process was also given by Mrs. Burris.
Each of the DAR Good Citizens is given an opportunity to write an essay that makes the student eligible for a large monetary sum at the national DAR level. This year Grace Hutchison from Villa Grove was the chapter’s essay winner. She was awarded a monetary gift from the Stephen A. Douglas Chapter and received an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Her essay has been forwarded to our district level for further judging
Jan Meyer of the Piankeshaw Chapter SAR was unable to attend so Martha Burris presented the SAR awards to the four high school seniors: Austin Hopkins – Arcola, Audrianna Kauffman – ALAH, Mitch Pollock – Shiloh, and Samuel Reno – Villa Grove. Tuscola Senior, Emma Zimmer was unable to attend due to a dance competition.
Past winners from the same family were three generations; Martha Stock Yeakel, Jason Yeakel, and Kaylee Yeakel, father & son; Jerad and Mitch Pollock, and family; parents Chad and Cindy Reno, and children Madylin and Samuel.
Program speaker was Danny Powell, Retired Principal. His inspiring remarks centered on the four aspects that the students were selected on: Dependability, Service, Leadership, and Patriotism. He told the students that leadership is not power and service is the most important quality. He noted whatever you give in service you will get back in tenfold. They have a choice of freedom to be who they want to be as well as what they want to be. The benediction was in unison.