DAR Sponsors Good Citizenship Awards to Local High School Students

The Col. Thomas Lothrop-Old Colony Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met on March 19, 2017 at the Lightkeeper’s Residence in Cohasset to honor local recipients of the DAR Good Citizens Award. Sponsored through the local chapter, the winners recognized were Alexander Schubert of Cohasset High School, Daria Grace Healey of Hull High School, and Kelly Nugent of Weymouth High School.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on October 11, 1890, during a time that was marked by a revival in patriotism and intense interest in the beginnings of the United States of America. Women felt the desire to express their patriotic feelings and were frustrated by their exclusion from men's organizations formed to perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought to make this country free and independent. As a result, a group of pioneering women in the nation's capital formed their own organization and the Daughters of the American Revolution has carried the torch of patriotism ever since.

Each year area high schools select a student from their school to be awarded the DAR Good Citizen. Three students are selected by the faculty, based on the qualities of Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism. The members of the senior class then vote for the recipient of the award.

These students all share the following qualities:

• Dependability (truthfulness, honesty, punctuality, etc.)
• Service (cooperation, helpfulness, responsibility, etc.)
• Leadership (personality, self-control, initiative, etc.)
• Patriotism (unselfish loyalty to American ideals)

This year’s recipients are as follows:

Alexander Schubert of Cohasset High School

Alexander is the son of Cindy and Paul Schubert. He is a National Honor Society student and will have completed seven Advance Placement courses upon graduation along with many accelerated courses. Alexander played football and baseball all four years of high school and was the Captain of both teams his Senior year. He was also on the wrestling team his freshman and sophomore years. Alexander was a member of the following clubs – robotics, investment, math team, model United Nations and Lindos Suenos. He volunteered his time as a T-Ball instructor for the Cohasset Youth Baseball and Softball Association, traveled to the Domincan Republic with the group Lindos Suenos to build houses for the town of El Maimom and also was a tutor at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library. During the summer he was employed as a junior sailing instructor at the Cohasset Yacht Club. He also worked as an umpire for the Cohasset Youth Baseball and Softball Association. He aspires to attend medical school and become a practicing physician.

Daria Grace Healey of Hull High School

Daria is the daughter of David and Joy Healey. She is a National Honor Society student and was also honored with the Hull High School Mission Award which is given to a student who represents the Hull High School motto of “academic excellence, personal responsibility and the development of life-long learners”. Daria has taken six Advance Placement courses as well as numerous honors courses during her high school career. She currently serves as the Senior Class President and was the Junior Class Vice-President and the Sophomore Class Treasurer. Daria plays the flute in the school band and is also involved with the school drama club. Daria currently serves as the President of the Project Humanitarian Involvement and previously served as the club’s secretary. She is also involved with the Green Team. Both of these groups focus on projects that make the community more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Daria is a competitive gymnast and also works as a gymnastics instructor. After attending college, Daria would like to travel the world in order to experience different cultures and hopes to one day make a difference in the lives of others.

Kelly Nugent of Weymouth High School

Kelly is the daughter of Beth and Robert Nugent. She has taken four Advance Placement courses and numerous honors courses during her high school career. She has been a member of her high school’s Varsity Dance Team beginning in her freshman year. This team competes during all three sports seasons. She has also been the team’s music editor for the past two years. Kelly has also participated in the schools theater group for the past two years. She volunteers regularly through a local church group to raise money and help out local food pantries. She was also involved with “Weycathalon” Day which is a day long fundraiser to help the local primary schools and elder services. Kelly also works as a dance teacher and supervises children at a sports club. Kelly plans on joining the Air Force after attending college and is considering getting into politics at some point in her future.

The members of the Colonel Thomas Lothrop – Old Colony Chapter of the DAR celebrated the accomplishments of these fine young citizens with their families, friends and Massachusetts State Legislative Members. Each student was presented with a certificate, pin, and wallet card stating they are local Good Citizen recipients. A small gift was also given to each Good Citizen. State Representative Joan Meschino and State Senator Patrick O’Connor presented Citations from the House and Senate, congratulating each of the students for their outstanding achievements. Thank you to the Stop and Shop bakery of Cohasset for the donation of a patriotic sheet cake for our Good Citizens. Thank you to Starbucks coffee in Hingham for the generous donation of coffee and supplies. Thank you to Rebecca Bates McArthur, past Good Citizen Chairman for the Colonel Thomas Lothrop Old Colony Chapter for the past 30 years. Thank you to Deb Robbins and Susan Wetzel, Good Citizen Chairmen for a fantastic Good Citizens Program this year. Congratulations to the Colonel Thomas Lothrop-Old Colony Chapter 2017 DAR Good Citizens!