Twenty-first Star Chapter NSDAR Recognizes Outstanding American History Scholars, DAR Good Citizens, and Presents Honorariums 2018
At its Wednesday, Feb. 14, 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 Outstanding American History Scholars and NSDAR Good Citizens. Honorariums were also presented to the Social Science and Humanities departments of the participating schools.
Up to 15 juniors at each high school were selected last May for their outstanding work in American History. From this group, each school announced the top student. To receive the American History Scholar Award, these students needed to be selected by the Social Science Department for high achievement in history and demonstrate the qualities of leadership, service, dependability and patriotism.
Each winner was introduced by Twenty-first Star Chapter Historian Laura Beth Wolfe. Each American History Scholar was presented with a certificate of award for Outstanding Work in American History, a special medal, and a 21st Star pin. The students will also receive monetary awards at an honor ceremony to be held in the spring.
Maine East High School's winner is Erti Tushe. Tushe is the president of the National Honor Society and belongs to Mu Alpha Theta, the math honor society. In addition, he is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. Tushe belongs to the Maine Historical Society and participates in Maine East Cares. His after-school activities include being on the math team and participating in the Scholastic Bowl.
At Maine South, the Peggy Ross American History Scholar is Grant Miller, who is very active in his school and community. Miller is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. He was student of the year for his excellent performance in chemistry, world history, biology and physics. He is a member of the Student Council, Constitution Team, Math Team, Computer Science Club and Athletic Council. Miller's after school activities include varsity basketball, varsity volleyball, playing the guitar, and being a private math tutor.
Maine West's winner, Bhagirath Mehta, won both the Outstanding American History Scholar Award and the NSDAR Good Citizenship Award. He is the president of the National Honor Society as well as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, the Westerner. Mehta has been on the high honor roll throughout high school and received a perfect score on his ACT exam. He is the president and co-founder of the 3-D Innovations Club. The club printed prosthetics and an interactive model of the high school. Mehta taught a computer coding camp called #HelloWorldBootCamp to thirty middle school students. He instructed them in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and on how to make websites for positive social causes. In addition, he is on the Des Plaines Public Library's Teen Advisory Board, plays piano and is a Coach Tutor. As a final accolade, Mehta started his own business, Mehta Tutoring.
The Niles North winner is Tahlia Altgold. She was the Outstanding Student of the Year for AP world history and received a certificate of achievement in advanced placement United States History. Altgold received the Wellesley Book Award and got special recognition in science during 2015. She is a member of the Dance Marathon Executive Board, W.H.O. Club, and SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism). She participated in the Academic Bowl and was the student representative to the Education Foundation. She helps her fellow students as a tutor in the Niles North Literature Center.
Niles West's winner is Grace Geraghty. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. She received a National Merit Letter of Recognition, a Wellesley Book Award and was on the Press Association Journalism Honor Roll. Geraghty has been both the news editor and editor-in-chief of the Niles West Student publication. She is an executive board member of the Feminism Club and a Literacy Center Tutor. In sports, Geraghty has been on the tennis team for four years and as a senior was the team captain. She has had internships with the state senate campaign of Laura Fine and United States District Office of Jan Schakowsky.
Five students from the Maine and Niles Townships High Schools received the NSDAR Good Citizen Award. To receive this award, the students needed to demonstrate leadership, service, dependability and patriotism. They also needed to be recognized by their teachers and members of the senior class for these accomplishments.
Each winner was introduced by Twenty-first Star Chapter DAR Good Citizen Director, Heather Andrews. She presented the DAR Good Citizen winners with a pin and a special certificate of achievement.
The Maine East High School winner is Esther Jeanty. She is a member of the National Honor Society and performs with the Maine East school orchestra. Jeanty is an officer in the French Club, Maine Historical Society, Amnesty International and the Feminist Club. She is the secretary and public relations director for the Demon-ocracy Club. This Club hosted presidential debate watching parties so that students could see what the candidates stood for. It also set up a website where citizens could get to know their local politicians. Jeanty aspires to be a lawyer who is a spokesperson for those who feel that their voice doesn't matter.
The Maine South High School winner is Elizabeth O'Brian. As president of the Student Council she runs all school assemblies. She has been a member of the Student Leadership Council and the Principal's Advisory Council, which helps with school improvements. She uses her membership in Hawk Pride to help incoming freshmen. O'Brian gives back to her community by being an active member of the Student Alliance for Homeless Youth. This organization helps with transportation and sponsors parties for young homeless people. She also helps plan and lead retreats for her church.
The Niles North High School winner is Tolga Kesler. He is a dedicated volunteer who strongly believes in the value of education and social justice. Kesler teaches reading and math skills to young children. He spends hours volunteering at Hope Jr., a charity that works with children on the west side of Chicago to provide after school activities. He also gives his time to the Emily Oaks Nature Center. School activities include being an executive member of the Dance Marathon, W.H.O. club leader, and a member of the Recycling Club and the Korean Club.
The Niles West High School winner is Darby Chamness. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. She is a varsity member in the Science Olympiad and a two-time regional astronomy champion. She received the Principal's Award for Excellent Achievement in Communication in 2016. She is the founder and president of the Student Leadership Congress, president of the Gender Sexuality Alliance and secretary-general of the Model United Nations. In addition, she works on the school yearbook and is a section leader in the Niles West Marching Band.
In addition to presenting awards to the students, the Twenty-first Star Chapter awarded honorariums to the Social Science and Humanities Departments of the participating schools to thank them for their continuing efforts in assisting students with the American History and Good Citizenship projects. The recipients were John Przekota, Niles West assistant Humanities director; Scott Dahlberg, Niles North assistant Humanities director; Brendan Gaughan, Maine South Social Science chairman; Susan Gahagan Mueller, Maine West Social Science chairman, and Carl Brownell, Maine East Social Science chairman.
The Twenty-first Star Chapter NSDAR serves the Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, and Morton Grove areas. 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 in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The NSDAR recognizes, "Patriots: As not only soldiers, but 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 its meetings, please contact Dorothy Wilson at (847) 328-6946 for details.