Local student earns DAR Good Citizen’s award
PHOENIXVILLE >> A student from the Technical College High School Pickering Campus demonstrated that good citizenship always pays dividends.
Michaelia Kelley, a fulltime TCHS Pickering student, received the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen’s Award and was recognized recently, at the Good Citizen’s Award Ceremony.
“I was surprised when I found out I won, but I was really proud of the work I had done,” said Kelley. “The biggest take-away from this experience is that people will listen to me, as a young person, if I have the courage to join the conversation.”
The DAR Good Citizen’s Award is a competition in which regional schools can nominate a student whom they believe exemplifies the traits of a good citizen. Nominated students then provide information about their high school activities, volunteer participation and a description of how they have exhibited the DAR qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
In addition, the nominated students must write a 500 word essay, in two hours or less, with no reference materials. This year’s essay topic was focused on how the youth of America might be energized to become more effective citizens. After the essay is completed, three judges read the essays and evaluate the students’ overall grades, activities and recommendations of each student. A winner is then chosen from each of the competing schools to receive the award.
Kelley, who is in the Cosmetology program, focused her essay on education and the need to include youth as part of public policy considerations and discussions. As someone who aspires to help people and raise awareness for social issues, Kelley believes it is important to have conversations with people from all walks of life in order to become better informed about the issues that are impacting both young people and the community. “I may not be able to change the whole country, but even if I can help one person in my community, I would consider that a success,” said Kelley.
Kelley’s success has not gone unnoticed by her TCHS community, according to TCHS Pickering principal, Joseph Fullerton. He believes that Kelley exemplifies the spirit of the award in her day-to-day interactions at TCHS Pickering Campus. “Michaelia is a model student here at TCHS. I am so proud and thrilled that her accomplishment has been recognized. This is just one great example of the many positive things happening here at TCHS Pickering,” said Fullerton.
For TCHS Pickering school counselor Lea Scott, this is just another validation of why she loves what she does. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of Michaelia. Seeing her at the recognition ceremony and hearing her speech was a delight. Seeing my students succeed inspires me and continues to show me the value of career and technical education,” said Scott.
This year, six schools participated in the local chapter competition. These schools included Delaware County Christian School, Great Valley High School, Overbrook School for the Blind, TCHS Pickering Campus, Radnor High School and Upper Merion Area High School. The six winning students’ entries have been submitted for scholarship consideration. The winner will represent the state of Pennsylvania.