Sturgis DAR honors three 'Good Citizens’

The Amos Sturgis Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution recently honored three local high school seniors as “DAR Good Citizens”: Isabelle Johnson and Alexander Stoll of Colon High School, and Connor Strudwick of Sturgis High School.

“The DAR Good Citizen program is a wonderful way to recognize outstanding young people who exhibit the qualities of good citizenship in their communities,” said Joetta Cherry, regent of the Amos Sturgis Chapter. “The students nominated for this recognition must demonstrate dependability, service to his or her community, leadership and Patriotism. The counselors from Colon High School and Sturgis High School, nominated their respective students for this honor.

“In their applications, they all listed many activities they have been and continue to be involved in. They are the epitome of what Good Citizens are. I am personally very proud of this group and wish them the best in their futures. Their applications were sent to the state for consideration for a scholarship.”

Johnson, daughter of Trevor Johnson and Shaunna Saxman, not only is class president, but also team captain for basketball and softball and a team leader in volleyball. She serves as president of National Honor Society, vice president of the Centreville FFA and is enrolled in the agriscience program. She also participates in 4-H, is a Pheasants Forever Youth Board member; detassels and supervises for RBH Detasseling; and shadows at Lane Veterinary Services, along with tutoring her peers and working the concession stand during sporting events. She plans to attend Michigan State University, join Army ROTC, earn a doctor of veterinary medicine and become an Army veterinarian. After she finishes serving active duty in the Army, she wants to own an animal clinic.

Stoll, son of Rebecca and Ted Stoll, participates in numerous sports: football, basketball, track and field, baseball, and cross country. He was selected captain of his state champion varsity football team. He also is a member of National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Chess Club and Varsity Club. He assists with road cleanup efforts and says “our local highways have never looked better, and the environment is certainly cleaner.” He mentors fellow football players to make sure they keep their grades above a B, which has resulted in very few of his teammates being ineligible. He also is part of 4-H, is a student mentor in the classroom, coaches youth basketball and powder puff football, holds summer jobs at Walmart and as a team leader/detasseler, and volunteers for several other local organizations. He plans to continue his academic future at a four-year college studying physical therapy or athletic training.

Strudwick, son of Andy and Deana Strudwick, plays football, participates in track and does powerlifting. He is a member of National Honor Society and, as a member of the Big Buddy program, is a role model for a fourth-grader. His teammates voted him captain of the junior varsity football team and later of the varsity football team, and he owns a small business doing landscaping and odd jobs. He lends his strength to the community, assisting with everything from setting up for Feeding the Hungry events to moving boxes of donated books to relocating a heavy cabinet from the Sturgis Fire House to Open Door Gallery. During National Police Week he ran a 5K with members of law enforcement and community members. He plans to attend the University of Tulsa and earn a degree in engineering.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Community