On Thursday, March 8, the Samuel Hammond Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, held their monthly meeting at the Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center. The DAR honored local students for their achievements.
The American History award is open to 5th - 8th grade students in the area of Attala County.
Recognized as 5th grade Chapter winner and State winner was Rylan Moore of the Presbyterian Day School. His parents are Kristin and Michael Moore. Chapter winner in the 6th grade was Noah Dew of the Presbyterian Day School. His parents are Tara and Ben Dew.
These students received a certificate, a medal and a cash award.
Students that participated in the essay contest received a certificate of participation. The 5th grade student was Karlie Biggers, daughter of John and Regina Biggers. The 6th grade students presented certificates were Maggie Steed, daughter of Mark Steed and Melissa and Drew Townsend; Caleb Lawrence, son of Kimberly Lawrence; Taylor Rutherford, daughter of Amanda and Gene Dismuke; Reagan Cook, daughter of Amy and Clark Cook; Kendal Williamson, daughter of Tracey and Mark Williamson; Ellie Devlin, daughter of Gina and Justin Devlin; Rachel Hammock, daughter of Beth and Stephan Hammock.
The winner of the Christopher Columbus essay award was McKenna Graham, a 9th grade student at Ethel High School. Her parents are Jennifer and Lynn Graham.
The next category of winners was the DAR Youth Citizenship Awards. The criteria for this award is based on honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism. The students are recommended by their principals, counselors, and teachers. The winners from Ethel Junior High School were Abigail Ellington, daughter of Andy and Carla Ellington, and Brent Bell, son of Michael and Kimberly Bell. The winners from Kosciusko Junior High School were Arden Reynolds, daughter of Jerome and Joy Reynolds, and Eli Rigby, son of Scott and Jennifer Rigby.
The DAR Good Citizen Award is open to seniors demonstrating qualities of good citizenship, dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. Each outstanding senior student was required to submit an essay to the local DAR chapter as required by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The two senior students honored were Hayden Clair Mitchell of Kosciusko High School, daughter of Kim and Kelly Mitchell; and Jessica Thompson, of Ethel High School, daughter of Cheryl Bain Pettit and Robbie Pettit. These students were awarded a certificate, pin, and monetary gift from the local DAR chapter.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants in the DAR essay contests. We thank the parents and schools for their support of these students.
The Samuel Hammond Chapter, NSDAR, is proud to recognize these students for their accomplishments. Prior to the presentation of the awards, a reception was held honoring these students, counselors, principals, parents and grandparents. Our thanks to Mary Lou Faurot and Carolyn Cagle for organizing the reception. The meeting of the Samuel Hammond Chapter was called to order by Dorothy Harmon, Regent. She presented Mrs. Jo Anne Collins, state chair of the DAR Schools. Mrs. Collins presented a program on the six schools that the DAR sponsors. They are located in Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, and specialize in different areas of education, one specifically designed for children with autism.
The committee reports were given and the meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be April 12 at 2 p.m. at the Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center with a program on Frontier Mississippi 1800 to 1840.
