By Rebecca J. Shank | Abiel Fellows Chapter DAR

Abiel Fellows Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has announced the area’s DAR Good Citizens for 2020. Each member of the senior class is selected by their respective school for exemplifying the qualities of Dependability, Service, Leadership, and Patriotism.

Along with letters of recommendation, each nominee submits a record of accomplishments and service at school, church, and in their community, and produces an essay on “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving it.”  The current year’s topic is “You and your peers are our nation’s leaders of tomorrow. How would you energize America’s Youth to fully engage as effective citizens? Why is that important?” 

The DAR Good Citizen of Centreville High School 2020 is Isabel Stauffer. A High Honors Student at Centreville, Isabel is also a dual enrolled student at Glen Oaks Community College. A 4-year class officer, member and officer of the National Honor Society, active in sports and YMCA Youth in Government program since 2017, she has received numerous awards at Centreville High School. 

Isabel has noted as an “achievement” the Laying of the Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 2016. As a community service volunteer, she has served as mentor to underclassmen, as a St. Joseph County Fair volunteer, at food and clothing drives, American Red Cross blood drives, and has provided support for veterans. Isabel has been accepted by the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University. 

Madison Lloyd is the DAR Good Citizen at Constantine High School. An Honor Student, member and officer of the National Honor Society, member and officer of the Student Senate, Madison is also enrolled at Glen Oaks Community College. 

With plans for a future career in the healthcare field, Madison is active in HOSA and a Regional 1st Place Award winner in a competition for future healthcare professionals. Another medical occupations activity found her in a program signing up over 100 organ donors. Madison is also active in sports, and drama activities, volunteers as a tutor, and has leadership roles in multiple school and community organizations. This fall will find her at Western Michigan University to study nursing. 

The Good Citizen honoree at Howardsville Christian School is Abigail VanMarvel. Abigail places at the top of her class at Howardsville. A leader, an outstanding athlete, and a talented musician — as noted by those who work with her there — Abigail has also excelled in volleyball, softball, and basketball and earned a First Place Award in ACSI Math Olympics in 2016. 

Volunteer and Mission work has taken her to Mexico, the Kentucky Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, and locally to the Three Rivers Pregnancy Helpline Center. Abigail is also a 7-year band member, serves on the Student Council, in 4-H, and participates in Latin and Spanish Language studies. 

As a Certified Nursing Assistant in Minnesota in 2018, Abigail studied at Minnesota West Community College. A scholar athlete, Abigail is an MHSAA scholarship nominee. She plans studies in pre-med and medical school in the future. Her essay was determined to be the area winner in the Good Citizen judging. 

Mendon’s DAR Good Citizen is Taylor Marie Heitkamp. Her advisor states Taylor has received the highest recommendation she has ever given. The recipient of over two dozen academic awards, she has been enrolled in the most difficult classes at Mendon, and is enrolled at Glen Oaks Community College. 

Taylor is active as a member and officer in National Honor Society, a three-year Student Senate Class Representative, participates in Spirit Club, is a student mentor and tutor, and is active in athletics including cross country, basketball, volleyball, and track & field. Extracurricular and volunteer community service include her participation in Campus Life, Safety, Mendon Fallfest and Riverfest, the placement of flags in cemeteries for VFW, Vacation Bible School, Mendon Community Dinners, St. Joseph County Parks & Recreation, and food drives. Taylor’s plans include a nursing degree and employment in the field of obstetrics, a passion to care for and help others. 

Three Rivers High School has chosen Trenton Goodrich as its Good Citizen. Since moving there as a junior, Trenton has had an impact. A letter of recommendation commented on Trenton’s determination, how he holds himself to a very high standard, and he knows what it takes to be the successful individual he strives to become. 

Trenton has been active in football, DECA, and as a member of the National Honor Society. He was involved in food drives, fundraisers, and does yardwork for older members of the community. He plans to begin college at KVCC with a transfer to Western Michigan University toward a degree in Chemical Engineering. Another recommendation stated, “Trent is a breath of fresh air in a very difficult generation that lacks focus and drive,” fulfilling the standards of Dependability, Service, Leadership, and Patriotism.

Each Good Citizen receives recognition from the DAR Chapter with presentation of a pin and certificate. The event, previously scheduled for April 19, was cancelled due to the present outbreak but will hopefully be rescheduled soon. 

The DAR Good Citizen award is open to accredited high schools across the United States since 1934. This year in Michigan, 405 schools participated in the program. Congratulations to all our future leaders.