Robert Lewis Chapter Awards DAR Good Citizens Scholarships
Front Row(L to R)Garrett Webster, CHS; Jainil Patel, MCHS; Madison LeMay, FHS. Back Row(L to R) Lila Beasley, Carmela Webster, Edna London, Blair Goodman, Jeannie Wiles, Karen Lemay, Nicole Pickle, Brenda Brown
During the February 13 meeting, the Robert Lewis Chapter NSDAR awarded their annual DAR Good Citizens Scholarships. The RLC liaison, Brenda Brown with the assistance of Lila Beasley, the Sequoyah District Vice Chair provided an overview of the selection process, then introduced and pinned each applicant.
Mrs. Brown contacts each county high school. The high school administration and counselor chooses an appropriate applicant based on dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Mrs. Brown provides the nationally chosen topic in a sealed envelope. Each senior is given two hours to write an essay based on the topic. Additionally, each student must provide a letter of recommendation. A panel of three judges reviews and selects the county winner. The winning essay is then sent to the district level. If they also win at the district level, the essay is forwarded to the state level.
This year’s essay prompt was: Service is an essential attribute of a good citizen. Discuss how service can foster a strong sense of community and strengthen our American identity. As Mrs. Brown introduced each applicant she read excerpts from recommendation letters and the essays from the three high school seniors.
Garrett Webster, Cornersville High School
Highlights from Garrett’s essay include: “The American identity is hotly contested but the wonderful thing is that none of them are strictly wrong. America is a place where everyone can come and thrive. Service is an essential part of co-existing…It is the balance of…personal growth and development and growth and development of the community that truly allows America to thrive and endure.” He also noted the act of one person may not affect every American, but it can cause a (positive) ripple effect across our entire nation.
Ryan Smith, Garrett’s Scout leader recommendation noted: He has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Attaining this rank involves many years of dedication, many service hours, and projects that gives back to the community. His project was the refurbishment of the historical and meeting place of the Robert Lewis Chapter. He has an excellent academic record and is involved in his church. “Garret is a shining example of the person we hope our children to be as they navigate the difficult realm of young adulthood.”
Garrett’s future plans include pursuing pre-med with the intent of becoming a doctor.
He was accompanied by his mother Carmela Webster and Cornersville High School Counselor Edna London.
Madison Lemay, Forrest High School
Madison’s essay related her experiences volunteering for cleanup of the aftermath of the Waverly flood. “It opened my eyes to the gift of serving others…My responsibility was to act as my American ancestors would have…A community brought all those of from all walks of life, of ages, together, and is that not the foundation on which America was built?”
Ms. Lockhart, the Visual Arts teacher at Forrest recommendation commented: Madison is a creative person who uses her problem-solving skills both academically and with her interpersonal relationships. She cares about the people around her. She serves her community with projects and activities including being a Leo Volunteer. “She will be helping people her entire life!”
Madison is contemplating a future as a therapist specifically working with children and young adults. Madison was accompanied by her mother Karen Lemay and Assistant Principal Nicole Pickle.
Jainil Patel, Marshall County High School
Jainil’s essay used two examples (World War 1 and the Depression) to illustrate how service builds a sense of community through building new relationships, common morals and ethics. It creates a sense of purpose, dependability, and trust. “Service can foster a strong sense of community and strengthen our American identity because it brings people together…and engages the citizens with their patriotism…”
Dwayne Cook, Marshall County Math/Physics teacher recommendation illustrated Jainil’s commitment to service as he started the STEM Club at MCHS. He has also forged a community service outreach to the unhoused in Nashville. “Jainil Patel has the integrity and character aligned to the values of DAR. He is unquestionably a positive role model within our community.”
Jainil’s future plans include pursuing pre-med with the intent of becoming a doctor.
Jainil was accompanied by MCHS Guidance Counselors Jeannie Wiles and Blair Goodman.
The chapter is proud to announce Garrett Webster was selected as both the Robert Lewis Chapter Winner & Sequoyah District Winner. He was awarded a $300 scholarship will also be recognized at other DAR events.
Madison Lemay and Jainil Patel were awarded $150 scholarships.
Both Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Beasley commented on the quality and content of the three essays and letters of recommendation. Although Garrett did not win at the State level, Mrs. Beasley believed he had an outstanding essay. She also thanked the Robert Lewis Chapter for funding the scholarships and participating in the Good Citizens program. She noted not all the chapters in the Sequoyah District do not engage in the program. She recognized former Good Citizens in attendance: Nanette Todd, Jeanne Wiles, and Nicole Brandon Pickle.
Mrs. Brown closed the program by thanking all the participants She also noted, some feel the future will not be managed well by the current teenagers, but drawing on her personal teaching experience is confident “our future is in good hands” with these and our other teenage students.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization whose mission is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove and document lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible. If interested in membership, please email robertlewis@tndar.
