HOMELAKE — Young women from Center, Mountain Valley, Sargent, Moffat, Monte Vista and Del Norte high schools received good citizen awards Feb. 20 from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) during a ceremony held at Homelake Veterans Museum.
According to the DAR/Monte Vista Chapter website, membership is open to any woman age 18 and older who can prove a direct family tree connection to a person who aided in the American Revolution. The Monte Vista Chapter was organized Oct. 23, 1914, by Mrs. Gertrude Robinson, Organizing Regent.
The chapter has participated in many civic activities over the years,  including giving a donation to start the Rio Grande County Museum in 1961, presenting the American Flag to Bowen Community Hall in 1962, presenting an American Flag to the Girl Scout Camp at Val Verde in 1964, making and installing a cabinet in the Rio Grande County Museum in 1965, sending five pre-1900 textbooks to the Sod School House at the Plains Conservation Center in 1970, and many more.
During the many years of the chapter’s existence it has supported local students with the Good Citizen Award, placed Pledge of Allegiance posters in area schools during Constitution Week, and presented books to local libraries.  Members also are involved with the local veteran’s center, with regular visits and donations.
Former Center Schools and Mountain Valley School Teacher Jeri Trujillo, a DAR member, collected the information for nominees and made the presentation.
All students were nominated by someone within their school system, selected from all of the other seniors. Upon being selected students are required to provide the following information:
• An outline of school activities  
• Explanation of their efforts to serve the community
• Explanation of their future plans
• A list of extra-curricular activities
• A brief description of how they view the four qualities of a DAR good citizen
• School transcript
• A list of senior year classes
• Recommendations from two close acquaintances
•  A 550-word or less essay written on the spot with no time for research
The title of this year’s essay question was: “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility to Preserve It.”  The focus question was: “What new challenges will Americans face as we move forward into the future.”
The winner from Center High School was Jessica Garrison. Jessica’s accomplishments are:
• Three years and one year as vice president, National Honor Society
• Two years in STARS, a mentoring program
• Link leader — leadership and mentoring incoming freshmen
• Three years student council
• One year in Key Club
• Three years, Knowledge Bowl
• Friday Club — in the process with four other students of setting up a group to teach high school students what they need to know in life but are not specifically taught in school
• Colorado Envirothon — competition with other Valley teams from SLV regional fair during freshman and sophomore years

Awards
• Freshmen, sophomore, and junior year – Outstanding Academic Achievement
• Southern Peak Art Show placing first (twice) second (twice) and honorable mention (twice)
• Freshmen, and sophomore placing both years
• Community service includes:
• Volunteering at Animal Shelters, local after school club, cooking for the homeless shelter
• And a favorite project she set up called the Clothesline Project.
• Future plans — Jessica would like to obtain a double major in Psychology and Art.    

Megan Larimore was maned the winner from Mountain Valley School. Her accomplishments are:
• Volleyball — three years
• Track — one year
• Envirothon — four years
• Knowledge Bowl — two years
• Best Junior Girl
• Three-time winner, student of the quarter
• Art displayed in the Mountain Valley Art Show
• Selected for internship with community outreach program
• Future plans are to graduate high school and study cosmetology and art.

Moffat Consolidated Schools named Holly Fuller as their winner. Holly’s accomplishments are:
• Secretary of Nation Honor Society — two years
• Knowledge Bowl Captain/Participant
• Key Club, one year
• Student Council two years – Class representative and vice-president
• Camp counselor — Crestone Youth Program, one summer
• Worked at Crestone Creamery and Mandala Pizza
• Outstanding Citizen Award, 2016-2018
• Community Service, helping out a community member
• Winter Fest volunteer
• Future plans include traveling then obtaining a bachelor’s degree

Elora Smith was the Sargent High School winner, Alyssa Rawinski was the winner named for Monte Vista High School and the Del Norte High School winner was Sophia McConnell.
Congratulations goes out from the DAR to all this year’s winners.