DAR Paradise Valley Chapter gives first Good Citizen Award

The Paradise Valley Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, recently awarded the chapter’s first Good Citizen Award to Wendy Bell, a Phoenix resident and senior at the Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School.

The chapter’s chair of the DAR Good Citizen Award, Anne Enos, presented Wendy with a certificate, pin, wallet card, rose and a graduation cord, according to a press release. In addition, she received a check for $250 for her future education. She is co-valedictorian of her class and will begin pre-medical studies at Gordon College in Massachusetts. Her career goal is to earn a MD/PhD and become a pediatrician.

Wendy read her essay, “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It,” to meeting attendees. Her parents, Timothy and Jennifer Bell also attended the ceremony, along with Brant Nyhart who is the Head of the School.

“Wendy is a natural-born leader, and her school peers look to her steady guidance inside and outside the classroom,” said Nyhart, who taught Wendy’s honors government and history classes. “She always strives for excellence in both her classwork and in extracurricular activities.”

As an A-grade student, Wendy is currently president of the school’s National Honor Society. She also works as a teacher’s assistant in a childcare program and has spearheaded volunteer projects in the community, according to the release.

Each year since 1934, the DAR Good Citizen program recognizes high school seniors across the nation. The participating high school selects a senior based on having outstanding qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Each awardee has the option of submitting a personal portfolio, references and an essay to compete in a state scholarship contest.

The DAR is an organization devoted to preserving American history and offers programs to promote patriotism and completes community service projects. DAR members can trace their lineage to ancestors who served in the American Revolution.

The Paradise Valley Chapter held its organizing meeting on Sept. 28, 1996, at the Paradise Valley Country Club. It now meets in Phoenix and currently has 110 members who focus on community service projects with an emphasis on veterans.For more information about the Paradise Valley Chapter, visit the website at www.paradisevalley.arizonadar.org.