The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Thursday recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship, according to a recent news release.
The organization held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests at the Hoard Historical Museum, Fort Atkinson.
Honorees include: Sully Schlieckau, Cambridge High School; Drew Evans, Fort Atkinson High School; David Neitzel, Jefferson High School; Kyle Popowski, Lake Mills High School; Alexander Hoff, Palmyra-Eagle High School; and Cooper Hammond, Whitewater High School.
As chapter winner, Evans read his essay on citizenship that now advances to compete at the state level. He received a certificate and scholarship, the release noted.
During the program, each student introduced himself and his guests and was presented a certificate of recognition.
According to the release, Drew Evans plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall to major in biology with plans to become a physician. He also will be playing football.
Sully Schlieckau will be attending UW-La Crosse next year to study finance.
David Neitzel will be studying industrial engineering at either UW-Madison, Purdue University or Auburn University.
Kyle Popowski plans to attend either UW-Whitewater or UW-Madison to study business administration. If he chooses UW-Whitewater, he also is able to compete as a track athlete.
Alexander Hoff will be attending UW-Madison to major in either business or finance.
Cooper Hammond plans to attend the Colorado School of Mines next year, majoring in chemical engineering.
Welcoming the honorees and their guests was DAR chapter Regent Nancy Olson. Vice Regent Janet Stehling led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing prior to lunch.
Olson, Stehling and Registrar Jessica Punzel presented the awards, the release continued.
About the Good Citizen award
Created in 1934, the Good Citizen award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.
Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay; participation is optional.
“Perhaps a great-great grandparent of yours was so honored. The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter didn’t begin its Good Citizens program until the late 1930s with one school … Fort Atkinson. Since that time, we have recognized 80-plus students,” Regent Olson, the release reported, said in presenting the awards.
Noting that the first “scholarship” awarded was not monetary, she added, “While money is important, the qualities of dependability, service and patriotism are something that will stay with you the rest of your lives.”
About DAR
Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years, the release noted.
The Eli Pierce Chapter, founded in Whitewater in 1941, was very active but never as large. The two chapters merged in 1992, the release continued, adding that today, members reside in Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.
Drew Evans, a senior at Fort Atkinson High School, at right, receives the Good Citizen award. The award was presented by Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Vice Regent Janet Stehling, from left, and DAR Registrar Jessica Punzel. As chapter winner, Evans’ essay on citizenship now advances to compete at the state level. He received a certificate and scholarship.
Cooper Hammond, a senior at Whitewater High School, at right, poses with Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Registrar Jessica Punzel, from left, and Vice Regent Janet Stehling. Hammond is a recipient of the Good Citizen award which was presented Thursday.
Six high school seniors, including Cooper Hammond, Whitewater High School, from left; Kyle Popowski, Lake Mills High School; Alexander Hoff, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Drew Evans, Fort Atkinson High School; Sully Schlieckau, Cambridge High School, and David Neitzel, Jefferson High School are named recipients of the Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen award.
Contributed photos.
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