DAR Celebrates Good Citizens

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The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) invited five high school seniors and their families to the chapter’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 21, to honor them with the DAR Good Citizen Award.

The Good Citizen Award is given to a high school senior from each high school in the area that embodies the qualities of good citizenship, such as dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. This year, the local DAR presented the award to representatives from five of the six schools in the chapter’s region. The winners included Rachel Threlkeld, Robert Toombs Christian Academy; Alexis Head, Vidalia High School; Julia O’Neal, Vidalia Heritage Academy; Jakayla Jordan, Treutlen County High School; and Raymond J. “R.J.” Florez, IV, Toombs County High School.

These students are selected through a vote by both students and teachers at each school, and are then invited to participate in an essay competition to compete for scholarships. To be eligible for these scholarships, the students must complete a detailed application, obtain three written letters of recommendation, and write an essay on a selected topic within a two-hour timeframe. These essays are then judged by three anonymous individuals who are not in DAR, and the top-scoring essay moves on to the district competition. If the essay wins the district level competition, it will then move on to the state and potentially national competitions.

This year’s essay topic centered around American Heritage, as it asked students to ponder what the civic responsibilities of a good citizen are, and how the duties, activities, and behaviors are important to shaping the America in which they each wished to live. The essay competition is optional, yet all five of the area awardees chose to participate. It was Toombs County High School Senior R.J. Florez, who came out victorious.

“It feels really good [to win the essay competition] – it’s almost a surreal experience,” Florez said, in reaction to the win. “You wait for these things, you apply for these things, and you don’t have an expectation for what will come; you just hope for the best and it’s always a growing experience. It’s just surreal to have an opportunity like this.”

When asked about his essay, Florez said he focused on the importance of unity as a nation. “Being as involved as I am in my community, I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my administration at my school, my peers, and my family. I really think when it comes down to our nation, it’s about unity and the things we can rely on each other for and do for each other. It’s almost like a sense of selflessness when it comes down to it that benefits us all,” he explained.

“I just really think that regardless of views or whatever, we just all need to come together because it’s our nation; we’re going to grow up here, our kids are going to grow up here. We just all have to work together,” he concluded.

Upon graduation, Florez plans to attend the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in political science, and to eventually attend law school. He also hopes to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, so that in the future, he can work in corporate law.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Warren and the other members of the DAR thanked the awardees and their guests for coming, and shared their excitement for the annual event.

“It is an honor and a joy to be able to celebrate these students every year,” local DAR Good Citizen Award Coordinator Gwen Warren shared. “It is most impressive when a high school student is recognized by both peers and teachers for possessing such wonderful qualities. We applaud these students and wish them every success in their future endeavors.”

TOOMBS COUNTY TEEN MAZE – Toombs County Middle School students were able to learn the harsh realities of drinking while driving and other activities during the annual Teen Maze event, which was held on Wednesday, February 14. During two different sessions – one for youth boys and another for youth girls – the students witnessed skits depicting the consequences of harmful decisions.Photo Courtesy of the City of Lyons