Twenty-first Star Chapter NSDAR Recognizes Good Citizens

At its 2015 American History Luncheon, the Twenty-first Star Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was pleased to honor students of Maine East, Maine South, Maine West, Niles North and Niles West High Schools as their "DAR Good Citizens."

Five students from the Maine and Niles Townships High Schools received the DAR Good Citizen Award. To receive this award, the students needed to demonstrate leadership, service, dependability and patriotism and be recognized by their teachers and members of the senior class for these accomplishments.

Each winner was introduced by DAR Twenty-first Star Chapter former Regent and current Illinois DAR State Historian Nancy Canova and presented with a pin and gifts by DAR Twenty-first Star Chapter Regent Sheila Aszling.

The Maine East High School winner is Colleen Murphy. Colleen holds school leadership positions as captain of the softball team and varsity basketball. She has been invited to attend a conference for exceptional leadership in athletics and academics. She is in the National Honor Society and High Honor Roll. Colleen volunteers at the Bethany Terrace Nursing home. She plans to have a teaching or nursing career.

The Maine South High School winner is Matthew Kelly. He has held leadership positions as Senior Class president, Hawk Pride president, and Model United Nations president. He is on the Leadership Council. Matt attended the Lyons Township and Maine South Leadership Conference. He plans to major in accounting and help facilitate positive change in the workplace.

The Maine West High School winner is Kathleen Jaime Cu. Kathleen is the in-depth editor of the student newspaper, an officer for DECA, secretary for the National Honor Society, and a competitor for the Science Olympiad team. She is a two-season athlete for cross country and track. Kathleen volunteers at a local shelter, is an after-school tutor for the Coach Program, and participates in the Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack. Her future plans are to get a bachelor degree in nursing, enroll in a physician assistance program, and eventually become a physician.

The Niles North High School winner is Madison Gardner. Madison was the Dance Marathon Student Director, Co-President for Point Tutor, and Senior Class Board Representative in Student Government. Her awards include AP Scholar, Honor Roll, Most Dedicated Student Involvement Award, and National Society of High School Scholars. Madison volunteers at Expanding Lives, the Niles Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity and for tutoring other students. She plans to attend college concentrating on history and politics.

The Niles West High School winner is Rebecca Harbeck. She is Co-captain of the debate team and Co-editor of the yearbook. Rebecca won debate tournaments in Glenbrook, Lake Forest, Homewood-Flossmoor, and Evanston. She volunteers at the Literacy Center as a tutor and leader. After participating in a Chinese exchange trip she then hosted Chinese exchange students. Rebecca plans to study sociology as an undergraduate and then attend law school.

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal decent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. The DAR recognizes "Patriots: as not only soldiers but also anyone who contributed to the cause of American freedom." If interested in learning more about the Daughters of the American Revolution or attending one of our meetings, please contact Dorothy Wilson at (847) 328-6946 for further details.