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Valley Students Earn Medals and a Scholarship

  • Updated: March 13, 2015

The Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), held its annual awards ceremony at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen. Awards and a scholarship were presented to outstanding students from local elementary, middle and high schools for the 2014-2015 school year by Regent Victoria Schwanda. The students’ parents, principals, teachers and counselors were invited as well, and all were treated to refreshments after the awards ceremony. DAR member Jean Chaney coordinated the event with host school Marine Military Academy.

The Youth Citizenship Award recognizes 6th grade students who demonstrate Honor, Service, Courage, Leadership and Patriotism. DAR member Joan Pratt headed this committee. Pictured above are the winners, who received a certificate, and medal. Front row L-R Emily Backor-Coakley Middle Harlingen, Alexa Strubhart-Vela Middle Harlingen, Angel Castenada Cotuc Jr- Myra Green Middle Raymondville. 2nd row Araceli Guera-Lyford Middle, Joanna Ventura-Vernon Middle Harlingen, Fayth Esquivel-Riverside Middle San Benito. 3rd row Sara Calista Cordova-Berta Cabaza Middle San Benito, Madison Gonzales-Lasara Middle, Crissy Diaz-Jo Nelson Middle Santa Rosa, Claudia Garcia-San Perlita Middle. 4th row Mia Lopez-Noemi Dominguez Middle LaFeria, Filanicas Zavala-Santa Maria Middle. Top row Nicole Hinkle-St Anthony Catholic, Josue Monjaraz-Miller Jordan Middle San Benito, Timothy Pagayon-St Paul Academy. Not pictured: Katherina Guera-Calvary Christian, Cassandra Casteneda JFK Elem Mercedes, Nancy Velazquez- Memorial Middle Harlingen, and Juan Garza-Lt Guitierrez Jr Middle Harlingen.

The Youth Citizenship Award recognizes 6th grade students who demonstrate Honor, Service, Courage, Leadership and Patriotism. DAR member Joan Pratt headed this committee. Pictured above are the winners, who received a certificate, and medal. Front row L-R Emily Backor-Coakley Middle Harlingen, Alexa Strubhart-Vela Middle Harlingen, Angel Castenada Cotuc Jr- Myra Green Middle Raymondville. 2nd row Araceli Guera-Lyford Middle, Joanna Ventura-Vernon Middle Harlingen, Fayth Esquivel-Riverside Middle San Benito. 3rd row Sara Calista Cordova-Berta Cabaza Middle San Benito, Madison Gonzales-Lasara Middle, Crissy Diaz-Jo Nelson Middle Santa Rosa, Claudia Garcia-San Perlita Middle. 4th row Mia Lopez-Noemi Dominguez Middle LaFeria, Filanicas Zavala-Santa Maria Middle. Top row Nicole Hinkle-St Anthony Catholic, Josue Monjaraz-Miller Jordan Middle San Benito, Timothy Pagayon-St Paul Academy. Not pictured: Katherina Guera-Calvary Christian, Cassandra Casteneda JFK Elem Mercedes, Nancy Velazquez- Memorial Middle Harlingen, and Juan Garza-Lt Guitierrez Jr Middle Harlingen.

The American History Essay Contest promotes American history byhonoring significant historical people, places, dates and events. Thecontest was open to students in grades 7 and 8. The essay topic this year was “A Child’s Journey Through Ellis Island.” Judging was based on historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. This year’s winners were Michael Durant of St Anthony Catholic School and Jake Chappell-Calvary Christian School. The DAR member handling the essay contest was Julia Williams.

The American History Essay Contest promotes American history byhonoring significant historical people, places, dates and events. Thecontest was open to students in grades 7 and 8. The essay topic this year was “A Child’s Journey Through Ellis Island.” Judging was based on historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. This year’s winners were Michael Durant of St Anthony Catholic School and Jake Chappell-Calvary Christian School. The DAR member handling the essay contest was Julia Williams.

The DAR Good Citizens Award encourages and rewards the qualities of good citizenship for high school seniors. Local high schools were asked to select one senior who demonstrates the following character traits to an outstanding degree: dependability (which includes truthfulness, loyalty and punctuality), service (which includes cooperation, courtesy and consideration of others), leadership (which includes personality, self-control and ability to assume responsibility), and patriotism (which includes unselfish interest in family, school, community and nation). Those chosen received a certificate and lapel pin. A $300 scholarship was awarded to Julia Zuniga, for winning an essay contest with the topic: “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” Dana Clark served as the DAR Good Citizens Chair. The award recipients, were: 1st row: Rebekah Perez-Lyford HS, Vanessa Muniz-Raymondville HS, Julia Zuniga-Rio Hondo HS. 2nd row: Amanda Medina-Harlingen HS South, Luz Rincon-Lasara HS, Lydia Brown-LaFeria HS, Irvin IE-Marine Military Academy. 3rd row: Shelby Aceta-Idea College Prep-San Benito, Magdalena Mireles-Santa Rosa HS, Joseph Sisto-Harlingen HS. Not pictured: Selena Artiaga-Santa Maria HS, Yineli Carreon-Mercedes HS, and Carla Stratton-San Perlita HS

The DAR Good Citizens Award encourages and rewards the qualities of good citizenship for high school seniors. Local high schools were asked to select one senior who demonstrates the following character traits to an outstanding degree: dependability (which includes truthfulness, loyalty and punctuality), service (which includes cooperation, courtesy and consideration of others), leadership (which includes personality, self-control and ability to assume responsibility), and patriotism (which includes unselfish interest in family, school, community and nation). Those chosen received a certificate and lapel pin. A $300 scholarship was awarded to Julia Zuniga, for winning an essay contest with the topic: “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” Dana Clark served as the DAR Good Citizens Chair. The award recipients, were: 1st row: Rebekah Perez-Lyford HS, Vanessa Muniz-Raymondville HS, Julia Zuniga-Rio Hondo HS. 2nd row: Amanda Medina-Harlingen HS South, Luz Rincon-Lasara HS, Lydia Brown-LaFeria HS, Irvin IE-Marine Military Academy. 3rd row: Shelby Aceta-Idea College Prep-San Benito, Magdalena Mireles-Santa Rosa HS, Joseph Sisto-Harlingen HS. Not pictured: Selena Artiaga-Santa Maria HS, Yineli Carreon-Mercedes HS, and Carla Stratton-San Perlita HS

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