Pleasanton DAR Chapter Presents Awards for Essays to Students

The José Maria Amador chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution based in Pleasanton held its annual Student Award Ceremony on February 11, 2017. The essay contests were on "Technology's Impact on the Voyage of Christopher Columbus" and "Celebrating a Century: America's National Parks".

Shown left to right are: John Zhou (Christopher Columbus runner up, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton), Kathleen Cassidy (chapter American History teacher of the year, Castro Valley High School), California Assembly member Catharine Baker, Mihika Sharma (Christopher Columbus runner up, Dublin High School, Dublin), Cynthia Daniels (chapter Regent), Aditi Sriram (American History winner grade 6 at chapter and district level, Canyon Middle School, Castro Valley), Bill Danko, (American Legion), Seiji Yang (American History winner grade 8, Gale Ranch Middle School, San Ramon). Alexandra Stassinopoulos (Christopher Columbus winner at chapter and district level, Dublin High School, Dublin), and Alyssa Grace Matangelo (American History winner grade 7, Mega Mind Christian Academy, Castro Valley). Not shown was Divij Muthu (American History winner grade 5, John Green Elementary School, Dublin).

After reading their essays to the audience, these outstanding students received recognition certificates from Congressman Eric Swalwell, California Assembly members Catharine Baker and Bill Quirk, and Pleasanton Mayor Jerry Thorne. In addition to achievement certificates from the chapter and district, the students were also given cash awards. District winners' essays were forwarded to be judged at the State DAR level. Congratulations to these hardworking students.

Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a lineage-based, non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and ensuring the nation's strong future by supporting education. For more information go to http://josemaria.californiadar.org or contact Cindy Daniels at jmadar.regent@gmail.com.