DAR presents American history awards to students

Madison Academy junior Nadiya Smyrnova, second from left, won the American Citizen award from DAR. Congratulating Smyrnova are Wilma Stone, from left, art teacher Peggy Hickerson and Linda Baccus. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Several local students received awards recently from the Huntsville Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

DAR members presented awards during their annual American History Awards Luncheon at Valley Hill Country Club.

After patriotic exercises, Chapter Regent Wilma Stone, First Vice Regent Linda Baccus, American History Chairman Martha Ann Whitt, Good Citizen and Community Service Chairman Jerry Boyd recognized award winners with certificates, medals and plaques.

Winners for American history essays on “A Colonial Family’s Reaction to the Stamp Act” were sixth-grader Wesley Allen Steward of Madison Academy and eighth-grader Anders Michael Kinney of Holy Spirit Catholic School.

Good Citizen award recipients were Dominic A. Ferrante, first place, St. John Paul II Catholic High School; Akesia Shar Gail Ransaw, Columbia High School; Conner Mark Poslajko, Westminster Christian Academy; Breanna Grayson, J. O. Johnson High School; and Kennedy Briana Harris, Sparkman High School.

Nadiya Smyrnova, a junior at Madison Academy, received Junior American Citizen awards for stamp design and exceptional artistic ability.

In other recognition, Soroptimist International of Huntsville and F.A.C.E.S. of Morgan County (Families and Children Experiencing Separation) were honored with Excellence in Community Service awards.

On behalf of Soroptimist, Jennifer DeMarcus accepted the award. Founded in 1921, Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls by contributing time and financial support to community-based and international projects.

On behalf of F.A.C.E.S., board president Julie Murphy accepted the award. F.A.C.E.S. was established in 1951 to meet emergency medical and health needs of abused and neglected children in Morgan County. Children at risk of foster care placement and those currently in out-of-home placement receive clothing, food, medical, financial and counseling services.

Founded in 1890, DAR has headquarters in Washington, D.C. The non-profit, non-political volunteer organization for women is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children.