HARLINGEN — Dozens of local middle school and high school students gathered at the Marine Military Academy Activities Center yesterday afternoon to celebrate patriotism and citizenship.
It was the annual Daughters of the American Revolution, Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter, student award ceremony.
A total of four honors were given as about 40 students were recognized as good citizens and essay winners.
One of the functions of the DAR and this event is “To cherish, maintain and extend the institution of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty.”
The most students were honored with the Good Citizen Award. This contest was created in 1934 and is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in the home, school and community.
The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. Only one senior high school student per year may be honored as a school’s DAR Good Citizen.
The recognized students are invited to participate in the scholarship essay contest where the student with the winning essay is awarded a scholarship.
The DAR also gave out citizenship medals to the middle school students. The award was created to foster among schoolchildren a greater appreciation of the qualities of citizenship Americans must possess if our country is to remain sovereign and independent.
A pair of history essay winners is also honored at the annual event. The purpose of that award is to promote American history throughout the year by honoring significant historical people, places, dates and events and allowing students and teachers to engage beyond the curriculum.
Youth Citizenship Award winners
Selma Alemon – Riverside Middle School, San Benito
Alleena Bella Briones – Vernon Middle School
Gabriella Chavez – Myra Green, Raymondville
Thomas Cruz- Rio Hondo Middle School, Rio Hondo
Armando de la Garza – Lasara Middle School, Lasara
Ava de la Pena – Memorial Middle School, Harlingen
Clarissa Estevanes – Santa Maria Middle School, Santa Maria
Alexis Fonseca – Coakley Middle School, Harlingen
Aliyah Fonseca – Coakley Middle School, Harlingen
Juan Angel Ramirez Guevara – San Perlita MIddle School, San Perlita
Peyton Lovell – Calvary Christian School, Harlingen
Lily Marroquin – Miller Jordan Middle School, San Benito
Valeria Johana Muniz – Berta Cabaza Middle School, San Benito
Barrett Anthony Rabel – Chacon Middle School, Mercedes
Elena Ramos – St. Anthony Catholic School, Harlingen
Mayra Rosas – Lyford Middle School, Lyford
Estrella Torres – Noemi Dominguez Middle School, La Feria
Jacob Vela – Moises Vela Middle School, Harlingen
Good Citizen Award winners
Betsy Abraham – South Texas High School for Health Professions
Brandi Nicole Cantu – Harlingen High School
Kaylee Janeli Cepeda – Santa Rosa High School
Joshua Delgado – Harlingen High School South
Victor Manuel Diaz Jr. – Santa Maria High School
Gabriella Celeste Gracia – Lyford High School
Diamond Monique Guevara – La Feria Academy
Samantha Guzman – La Sara High School
Kirsten Nicole Kinney – San Perlita High School
Richard Jensen Lee – Marine Military Academy
Felipe Rolando Moreno Jr. – Keys Academy
Albethsi Perales – Early College Academy, Mercedes
Adelina Isabel Quintana – Rio Hondo High School
Valerie Rangel – La Feria High School
Katelynn Marie Renteria – Early College High School, Harlingen
Sylvia Antoinette Sanchez – School of Health Professions, Harlingen
Joann Tello – Raymondville High School
Myra Lynn Wilson – Mercedes High School
Manuel Antonio Zapata – San Benito High School
2018 Essay Contest winner and $300 scholarship recipient
Betsy Abraham of South Texas High School for Health Professions, Mercedes
American History Essay Contest winners
7th grade – Meaghan Blackburn, Calvary Christian School
8th grade – Kaylen Delaney Perez, Calvary Christian School
