DAR Annual Student Awards Ceremony

The Pleasanton based José Maria Amador chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (JMADAR) held its annual student awards ceremony on February 13, 2021 via Zoom. Thirteen (13) local students were recognized for taking part in the following 2020 programs: Constitution Week Poster Contest, DAR Good Citizen, and the American History Essay Contest – “The Boston Massacre”. Additionally, four (4) local students won at the California State DAR level for their Constitution Week Poster Contest entries, thirteen (13) local students won at the California State DAR level for their age group and the 1st place overall winner will now proceed to the DAR Southwestern Division competition.

Shreya Balasubramanian won the DAR Good Citizen Award for demonstrating qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Shreya is a senior at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon. Jacqueline Martin of Dublin High School in Dublin and Mia Rodriquez of California High School in San Ramon were awarded honorable mention.

Four students from different grade levels were presented American History Essay Awards for their description of “Boston Massacre”. March 5, 2020, marked the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, considered to be a pivotal event that paved the way to the American Revolution. Students were asked to imagine living in Boston and, after witnessing the events of March 5, describing their family’s discussion about the Boston Massacre and what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British King and Parliament. Nikhil Gundimeda of Donlon Elementary in Pleasanton was the 5th grade winner, Anay Kulshreshtha from Gale Ranch Middle School in San Ramon was the 6th grade winner, Aditi Nair from Murray Fallon Middle School in Dublin was the 7th grade winner and Olivia Kang from Laurel Springs Online School in Pleasanton was the 8th grade winner.

For the second time the JMADAR presented awards to Constitution Week Poster Contest winners. The winning poster at the National level will be printed in the spring of 2021 and offered for sale at the DAR store in Washington, DC. First place went to Kaushmit Bhowmik of Hart Middle School, Second place to Serena Hobbs of Hart Middle School, Third place was a tie between Rohan Tyaagi of Hart Middle School and Ahdia Mohammed of Valley View Elementary and Honorable Mention was a tie between Elliot Lim of Hart Middle School and Ada Nazneen of Valley View Elementary. All poster entries were then sent to the California State Society, DAR state competition and all four top winners were from the JMADAR chapter’s entries. At the State level first place went to Aarav Gupta, Second Place went to Kaushmit Bhowmik of Hart Middle School, Third place went to Kangana Khamitkar of Hart Middle School and Honorable Mention went to Elliot Lim of Hart Middle School. At the State level by age group winners from our local area were: Age 5 – 9: First place went to Aarav Gupta, Second place to Ahdia Mohamed, Third place to Aarna Pandeya and Honorable Mention to Hafsa Firdaus; Age 10 – 13: First place went to Kaushmit Bhowmik, Second Place to Kangan Khamikhar, Third place to Elliot Lim and Honorable Mention to Ashley Sohn; Age 14 – 17: First place went to Maalav Shah, Second Place to Angela Hobbs, Third Place to Ruthika Mallikarjuna and Honorable Mention to Ashleigh Reyes; Age 18 and Above: Winner was Afia Firdaus.

On February 6, 2021 JMADAR presented certificates, pins (in some cases), and scholarship monies to students in a COVID friendly drive-thru event for the Chapter winners. Students were able to get a professional picture taken by Bella Luna Photography Studios and then pick up their prize packets (to be opened on the 13th) and their monies. The students were honored with several certificates including some from Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown, San Ramon Mayor Dave Hudson, Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, Dublin Unified School District and Donlon Elementary School. All local and state winners will also be receiving certificates from the office of California State Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. Dignitaries at the online Zoom ceremony included Ms. Marilyn Cachola Lucey, representing California State Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, City of Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, City of Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown, City of San Ramon Mayor Dave Hudson, Assistant Superintendent of Dublin Unified School District Dr. Matt Campbell, Dublin High School Principal Maureen Byrne and Gale Ranch Middle School Principal Jenny Torres.

The ceremony was via Zoom. The Star Spangled Banner was performed by the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corp during the opening ceremony. Cindi Newbold, JMADAR Regent, led the awards ceremony. Family members, school representatives and local political leaders attended and congratulated the winners.

The American History Essay contest, the DAR Good Citizen Award and the Constitution Week poster contest are conducted annually by the DAR whose mission is historical preservation, promotion of education and encouragement of patriotic endeavor. For more information about joining the local DAR chapter, please contact Regent Cindi Newbold at jmadar.regent@gmail.com.