Skokie Valley DAR Presents Youth Education Awards To Local Students

SKOKIE, IL — The Skokie Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted its annual Youth Education Awards last weekend, recognizing local students for their accomplishments.

Liz Chalker, the American History Chairperson, presented awards to the first, second, and third-place winners in the American History Essay Contest from the seventh and eighth grades at Wilmette Junior High. The first-place essays advanced to the district level, where they were also recognized as winners, and have now been forwarded to the state level for further judging.

Luke Fang, an eighth-grade student, won first place in his category. He was a third-place national winner last year as a seventh-grader. Sonia Green secured first place among seventh-grade participants.

Mary Kay Lubawski, a teacher at Wilmette Junior High, was thanked for her annual organization of this contest for students. The essay title for the 2025–2026 contest was “Lunch with a Signer,” and students were asked to choose a signer of the Declaration of Independence and describe their contributions to the country's independence.

Erin Wheeler, the Good Citizens Chairperson, presented awards to high school seniors who demonstrated qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. These students were selected by their respective schools.

Sofia Ujiki from Regina Dominican High School was the first-place winner and read her essay at the ceremony. Jadesola Faith Alao from Niles West received second place, while Ramona Yu-Ting Chuang from Glenbrook South and Gabriel Byron Marin-Luna from Niles North tied for third place.

The essay title for the Good Citizen contest was “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” Students were prompted to describe how good citizens help to strengthen the democracy achieved by the Patriots of the American Revolution.

Award recipients received a certificate, pin, and graduation cords.