Great Valley DAR Recognizes Outstanding High School Seniors

PAOLI, Pa. -- The Great Valley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution announces that seven outstanding high school seniors are recipients of the DAR Good Citizens Award.

The award, which recognizes students for their dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their schools and communities, was bestowed at the Great Valley Chapter's Dec. 12 meeting at Paoli Presbyterian Church.

"I think we can all expect that these young leaders will make important contributions to the future of our proud nation, and we are honored to be able to recognize them with the Good Citizens Award," said Alicia Peterson, the chapter regent.

Peterson said she was particularly impressed by the quality of the 500-word essays the students wrote, without advance knowledge of the topic, on the challenges America will face as we move foward into the future. The essays included well thought out discussions of gun violence, global warming, problems associated with rapidly advancing technology, and political divisiveness.

The award recipients are as follows:

* Kate Corrigan, Great Valley High School -- Service work is what brings her the most joy. She raises funds for pediatric cancer research, volunteers at the Special Olympics, and raises funds for families that have experienced financial hardship.

*Grace Donohue, Upper Merion Area High School -- She is dedicated to impactful change in a real and actionable way. Since 2007, she has been running an annual program that collects donations from the community to keep the homeless warm in winter.

*Ann Drennan, Conestoga High School -- As President of the New Voters Club, she oversaw the registration of 85 percent of eligible high school seniors and helped to establish a 501(C)(3) nonprofit with outreach to other schools in the U.S.

*Lauren Hackett, Delaware Valley Christian School -- A published songwriter, her musical talent and interest in theater encompass all aspects of her school's productions. Her role as lead in the annual high school musical earned her a nomination for a regional award.

*Tierra Hart, Overbrook School for the Blind -- A leader and role model in her school, she is involved as a guide and encourager to her peers, helping them learn how to get around the campus and organize their belongings. She has taught family and friends to write braille.

*Amanda Magen, Radnor High School -- She shows deep empathy for those experiencing loss, tragedy, and destitution, and has been involved in volunteer service and mission trips with her church. She believes that good citizens are always cognizant of others and try to work towards the greater good.

*Divya Samant, Technical College High School-Pickering -- She is passionate about the positive change that the arts can bring to a community and has founded, implemented and sustained numerous local programs. In each of the past three years, she received the Presidential Service Award for volunteering.

###

Above, please see group photo of the award recipients together with Great Valley DAR leaders:

L-R.....Regent Alicia Peterson, Tierra Hart, Divya Samant, Grace Donohue, Ann Drennan, Kate Corrigan, Amada Magen, Committee Chair Gail Infield. Not pictured: Lauren Hackett