 | | | From left: DAR Chapter Regent, Brenna Shafizadeh; Sarah Gidre, Acalanes High; Elizabeth Ivy, Las Lomas High; Gail Wilson, Chapter Essay Winner, Campolindo High, Peter Santoro, Contra Costa Christian High; Barbara Snyder, DAR Essay Contest Chairperson; not pictured: Courtney Tran, Miramonte High Photo provided
| | | | | | On February 4, The Daughters of the American Revolution, Acalanes Chapter, honored the 2012 winners of their annual DAR Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest. The Scholarship Contest began in 1934 and is open to senior high school girls. Contestants must be able to demonstrate the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. The student is asked to describe how she demonstrates these qualities in her day to day life and to submit two letters of recommendation along with an official grade transcript. Further, she must complete a timed essay, which is later read aloud at the chapter's award ceremony.
This year's chapter winner was Gail Wilson, of Campolindo High School. At school Gail enjoys choir, drama, and track team. Other activities include participation in Chamber Singers Elite Ensemble and Rotary Interact Club. Gail has helped raise funds for Children's Hospital, the Polar Bear Plunge, which raises money for those of special needs, and has been a volunteer at soup kitchens through her church.
Other contestants included Elizabeth Ivy of Las Lomas High School who has participated four years in volleyball, is a recognized scholar-athlete and is president of Peace in Progress Club. Peter Santoro, Contra Costa Christian High, the first ever male to be recognized by the chapter, is a soccer player who has volunteered in crisis centers and schools in the Tenderloin in San Francisco. Sarah Gidre, Acalanes High School, is the founder of Best Buddies, a weekly lunch for socializing with developmentally disabled students and volunteers at Animal Rescue Foundation. Courtney Tran, Miramonte High, participates in both Jazz and Symphonic bands and is a Youth Council member for the Oakland Public Library.
These exceptional students attended a luncheon with the members of Acalanes Chapter of DAR, where each winner was asked to read their essay aloud for the members. Each winner was given a DAR Good Citizen Pin, a scholarship check and an American flag that has previously been flown over the US Capital Building. After the presentation, the participants and their families joined the DAR chapter for lunch and socializing.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA