Fort High School senior’s essay advances to state DAR competition 

By Chris Spangler

An essay by Fort Atkinson High School senior Sydney Ketterman has advanced to the Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) competition.

Ketterman is one of six area students recognized by the Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of DAR for exemplifying the qualities of good citizenship.

The organization, which is marking its 125th anniversary this year, held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 7, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson.

“NSDAR (The National Society DAR) began recognizing Good Citizens in 1934; perhaps a great-great-great-grandparent of yours was so honored,” chapter Regent Nancy Olson said in welcoming attendees. “The first school our chapter honored was Fort Atkinson. Our chapter now recognizes seven schools with over 90 students being selected.”

She noted that no scholarships were awarded in those early days. Today, one is given to the chapter’s essay winner.

“More important, I think, are the qualities of dependability, service and patriotism, values that stay with you the rest of your lives,” Olson said.

Ketterman is the daughter of Brett and Martha Ketterman. As the chapter’s Good Citizen winner, her essay on citizenship has advanced to compete at the state level.

During the reception, she read her work, titled “What Are the Civic Responsibilities of a Good Citizen and Why Are These Duties, Activities and Behaviors Important to the Shaping of the America You Hope to Experience?”

In it, she noted that there are more than 7 billion people in the world with more than 7 billion different ideas of a perfect universe. This consequently can lead to fights over what opinions are “right.”

“These three factors hold great power when it comes to defining  a good citizen,” Ketterman wrote. “Acts of service, for one, means providing for others, supporting America, involving oneself in teamwork and helping those in need. These can be done by getting a job such as a doctor, teacher or judge, voting, volunteering and so much more.”

Similarly, she said, dependability is important as it shows reliability, trustworthiness and caring.

“Fulfilling a promise means a lot more than people expect,” Ketterman noted.

The third factor is motivation, for “being motivated will always be one of the most notable aspects of ruling a country,” she wrote, adding that the three characteristics go hand in hand.

“For instance, Martin Luther King Jr. was always viewed as a reliable person who fulfilled his duties. This led him to become extremely motivated in wanting to make change in the world. He provided for the Black community by giving his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. All in all, service, dependability and motivation are the key factors to being a good citizen,” she wrote.

Ketterman’s essay goes on to say that these characteristics also are and have been important in shaping America.

“For starters, those who have received service will respect the ones who provided it. Those who have provided it become a reliable person who inspires others around them to join in. Once a union has formed through trust, they have motivation to back each other up,” Ketterman said.

She concluded: “Acts of service, dependability and motivation are the three key components when it comes to being a good citizen and shaping the nation. The founding fathers, all historical figures who have made an impact, had each of the qualities. Being a good citizen only requires those three simple steps. Think how calming it would be to have a country with good citizens who are devoted to changing America for a good purpose.”

During high school, Ketterman has maintained an “A” gradepoint average while taking Accelerated English, Advanced Placement Calculus and Advanced Placement Chemistry. 

She is active in theater, forensics, National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Ketterman was named “Best Performer” in 2020, was dance captain and earned an “Inspire-a-Dream” Scholarship.

Outside of school, she teaches elementary schoolchildren basic dance at Main Street Dance Studio in Fort Atkinson, where she herself took lessons for 13 years. She also is choreographer for the Fourth Street Singers middle school show choir and has volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry and as a receptionist at the Dwight Foster Public Library.

Following graduation, Ketterman plans to major in elementary education with a dance minor. She is considering attending Northern Illinois University or the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Also honored as Good Citizens were the following students:

Payton Schmidt

Payton Schmidt, of Jefferson High School, is the daughter of Tiffany and Jeff Schmidt.

Performing academically in the top 4% of her class, she is a member of Student Council and was elected class president after serving as vice president during both her freshmen and sophomore years.

Schmidt serves as a Tomorrow’s Hope ambassador, having been co-president of the group for two years, and is social media manager for J-Club, which promotes school spirit.

She also is a musician, having won medals in Solo and Ensemble competitions, been named “Outstanding Vocalist” in her freshman year and sung “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting and civic events.

Schmidt has been on the golf team all four years of high school and was named four-time Rock Valley Conference “Player of the Year,” four-time First Team All-Conference, three-time All-State player and three-time Academic All-State golfer. She has set three school golf records.

Outside of school, Schmidt babysits and works at the Jefferson Golf Course. She is active in her church, where she sings and plays the piano and guitar.

In the past, she has volunteered with the Optimist Club and Jefferson Snow Hawks snowmobile club.

Schmidt plans to study human performance at UW-Whitewater and play on the golf team. Her future goal is to become a physical therapist.

Cooper Murphy

Cooper Murphy, of Lake Mills High School, is the son of Traci and Stephen Murphy.

During high school, he has earned academic honors, as well as varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and wrestling.

Since 2022, Murphy has been employed at Wiedenfeld Dairy. He also has been involved as a childcare provider within the school district.

Murphy plans to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union in Madison and start working as an electrician following graduation.

Kaitlyn Brodzik

Kaitlyn Brodzik, of Palmyra-Eagle High School, is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Brodzik.

A laude honor student, she has a high gradepoint average and has earned an academic letter.

Among her achievements, Brodzik has served on Student Council for three years, has managed the school’s dance team, was a blood drive coordinator and is vice president of National Honor Society.

Brodzik also has served as a member of the school’s Math Team for three years, participates on the cheerleading squad, plays volleyball and was a member of the “Hope Squad.”

In addition, she volunteers at the Powers Memorial Library in Palmyra and has accumulated more than 400 community service hours during her high school years.

Brodzik plans to study business at UW-Madison.

Perry Thompson

Perry Thompson, of Cambridge High School, is the son of Perry and Laura Thompson.

Placing in the top 1% of his class academically with a gradepoint average above 4.0, he has been active in swimming, cross-country and track. He also is a member of National Honor Society, serving as chapter president; Student Council; Math Team; and Academic Bowl.

Additionally, Thompson is a student representative on the School District of Cambridge Board Education, is a drum major in the marching band and was a delegate to Badger Boys State last summer.

Looking toward studying political science, he plans to attend either the University of Colorado at Boulder or the American University in Washington D.C. He also is interested in astronomy/physics.

Ghati Bingo

Ghati Binagi, of Whitewater High School, was unable to attend the Good Citizen reception. She was presented her certificate Friday, March 15, at the school.

The daughter of Mwita Binagi and Kristin Carpenter, she has maintained an “A” gradepoint average throughout high school; among her classes have been Honors English, Honors Biology, AP English and AP Human Geography.

Binagi also served on the school’s Student Council, the “Hope Squad” and as secretary and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

She was a manager for the varsity basketball team and served in a peer mentoring program, using her study hall time to help other students with their classwork.

As a member of the Whitewater High School Players, Binagi served as a costume assistant. She is employed at McDonald’s Restaurant.

Binagi plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to major in communications with a minor in psychology.

About the award, DAR

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.

Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941.

Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.

Also during the reception, Registrar Jessica Punzel led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing. Each student introduced him/herself and his/her guests and was presented a certificate of recognition by DAR members Jane Fary and Pat Ogren.