Wooster High senior earns Daughters of American Revolution honor, scholarship
The Wooster-Wayne Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held a recognition ceremony at Parkview Christian Church honoring an Outstanding Teacher of American History and five DAR Good Citizens chosen by area high schools. The guest speaker was Jerry Payn, who portrayed President Abraham Lincoln.
The Outstanding Teacher of American History was Steve Liptak of Chippewa High School. Liptak has taught for 31 years, currently teaching 10th grade U.S. hstory and AP U.S. history. He said appreciation for American History is the driving force that allows him to teach about the United States of America in an enthusiastic way.
“I want students to remember me for being an educator who is passionate about teaching American History while also looking to make a difference in educating students,” he said.
Liptak received a monetary award and certificate.
The DAR honors a graduating senior from each area high school as a DAR Good Citizens. Five schools chose a graduating senior who exemplified the characteristics of a DAR Good Citizen – Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism. Each school representative receives a DAR Good Citizen certificate, pin and wallet card.
The Good Citizens can choose to enter the chapter’s scholarship competition. Three judges determined this year’s winner based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community participation, as well as an essay answering the question, “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It: How do the qualities of a good citizen (dependability, service, leadership and patriotism) help support our nation?”
This year’s winner is Nurain Samantha Amier. Amier also received a plaque and a scholarship from the Wooster-Wayne Chapter. Her name will be added to the traveling trophy that will be displayed at her high school, Wooster, until next year’s winner is chosen.
Included in her essay, Amier said, “The foundation of our nation lies in the core values of its citizens, which unify the citizens and serve as the nation’s source of strength and power.”
She goes on to say, “If the people of our nation are all good citizens who embody these qualities [dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism], our country of unique heritage will grow into a more peaceful, unified, prosperous, and progressive nation.”
In further competition, Amier was selected as the DAR northeast Ohio District winner. She went on and was chosen as the female DAR Good Citizen for the state of Ohio. She and her family attended a luncheon during the Ohio DAR State Conference in Columbus to receive her scholarship award and certificate.
Amier is the daughter of Upikin Gunawan. She will attend college to pursue a major in ecology and evolutionary biology or environmental science, with the goal to become a public health veterinarian.
The other Good Citizens are:
Katherine Adkins, Kingsway Christian School, daughter of Timothy and Jane Adkins. She will attend Malone University, majoring in special education with plans to become an intervention specialist.
Kayla Ling, Wayne County Schools Career Center, daughter of Elizabeth Ling. She will finish an associate degree in business management at Stark State College, then focus on accounting and get a bookkeeping certificate.
Emma Miller, Waynedale High School, daughter of Les and Lori Miller. She plans to attend college, majoring in history and education, with the goal to teach high school history.
Garret Shoup, Hiland High School, son of Jerry and Ruby Shoup. He plans to attend Stark State College to pursue an associate degree to become a physical therapy assistant.
Payn, a retired teacher, and President Lincoln re-enactor, provided history about Lincoln’s father and grandfather, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He went on to speak about the importance of good citizenship, citing passages from the students’ essays.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890. As a volunteer service organization, the DAR is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children. To learn more about the work of DAR, visit www.DAR.org.
The Wooster-Wayne Chapter began in 1904. For more information about the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Wooster-Wayne Chapter, contact Robbin Christman at woowaydar@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wooster-Wayne Chapter DAR recognizes teacher, students
