Area Students Receive Smith-McMillan Chapter DAR Good Citizen Awards

Seated from left: Kooper Bloodsworth, Advancing to State Level of Giddings High School; Hunter Sabo, La Grange High School; Arely Lopez, Flatonia High School; Kinsley Bage, Round Top-Carmine High School; Easton Jaeger, Fayetteville High School; and Kaylee Beyer, Schulenburg High School; Standing from left: Gabrielle Hadyka, DAR State Good Citizen Chairman; Carolyn Caflisch, Regent, Smith-McMillan Chapter; Sherry Hebert, Chaplain and Good Citizens Co-Chair; Marty Emmons, Good Citizens Co-Chair; and guest speaker, Pastor, Brad Otto, Messiah Lutheran Church, Cypress. Kooper Bloodworth, representing Giddings High School will advance to State Level in the DAR State Good Citizens Contest. Pictured with him is Texas DAR State Chair, Gabrielle Hadyka.

The Smith-McMillan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution honored the school winners of the Good Citizens Award at the annual Presidents Day Tea at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16. The ceremony was held at the home of Jeanne Schilling in Fayetteville with parents and guests joining the members for this occasion. Regent Carolyn Caflisch and Chaplain Sherry Hebert led the Chapter in the DAR Ritual and after Pledges to the U. S. and Texas Flags, Sherry Hebert accompanied the singing of the National Anthem on violin.

Regent Caflisch welcomed all members and guests that included family members of the honored students, and introduced State Good Citizens Chairman, Gabrielle Hadyka of Corpus Christi. Also recognized was a special guest, Dr. William H. Bailey, retired cardiologist of Austin Heart Hospital.

Regent Caflish turned the program over to DAR Good Citizen Co-Chairs, Marty Emmons and Sherry Hebert who shared information about the award and introduced the guest speaker.

The DAR Good Citizen Awards are presented annually by each DAR chapter. Each of the students named as a DAR Good Citizen was selected from the senior class to represent their school based on four qualities: dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Each of these four qualities was applied during a stringent review of each candidate’s high school activities, grades, home activities, community activities, and their future plans.

Each winner was asked to participate by writing an essay about “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It “Service is an essential attribute of a good citizen. Discuss how can service foster a strong sense of community and strengthen our American Identity?” Independent judges review the winners from each school to determine an overall area winner.

Students are awarded a DAR Certificate and jewelry pin from National DAR headquarterd in Washington D. C. and a monetary gift of $150 from our Smith-McMillan NSDAR Chapter. One student will advance to the State Level with the possibility of advancing further to the National Level and will be awarded a $250 monetary gift from our Smith-McMillan Chapter.

The guest speaker, Pastor Brad Otto, was himself a past DAR Good Citizen representing La Grange High School and is now Senior Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, ELCA in Cypress, since 2009. He first served as pastor at Covenant Lutheran Church in Houston and he and his wife, Stacie enjoys family time with their daughter, London and son, Logan. Not only is Brad a certified Life and Spiritual Coach but also the founder and president of “Acts of Wisdom,” a non-profit organization established in 2014.

Acts of Wisdom seek to provide quality education to children throughout the world. They currently help over 7,000 students in three African countries, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Kenya, and have brought dropout rates down from 35% to .9%. Furthermore, the organization delivered over 60,000 schoolbooks, improved infrastructure, and is currently building a school in Liberia that will serve over 700 students. It is a labor of love, and Pastor Brad is very proud of the work they have accomplished and continue to do.

Kaylee Beyer

Kaylee Rose Beyer, the daughter of Michelle and Neal Beyer, is a senior at Schulenburg High School. She has been accepted to Texas A & M University and plans to obtain a BA in Horticulture. She currently holds level one and level two certifications through the Texas State Florists Association and plans to continue her training to achieve a master certification through TSFA (Texas State Florists Association).

Kaylee’s extracurricular activities include UIL participation, Student Council, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Softball, Swim Team, FFA as Treasurer and AG Advocacy, Entomology, and Market Rabbit Exhibitor. Kaylee is a member of the National Honor Society serving as Reporter and was both a Participant and later a Teen Team Leader in ACTS Religious Retreats.

According to Allison Machac, Schulenburg High School Counselor, Kaylee found her true passion in the Schulenburg High School’s Advanced Floral Design Class, taking on the role this year as the student coordinator for the Design of the Month Club. She has assisted with creating recipes for arrangements, placing orders, creating centerpieces for school banquets and helping in regular Floral Design classes. Kaylee made the Top 10 in the Houston Livestock Show Dining Duets in 2023 and placed in the Top 10 at the Texas Young Florist Competition in 2023. Through the Advanced Floral Design courses, Kaylee was able to test for and obtain her Level 1 and Level 2 Certifications with the Texas State Florists Association. With her part time job at Schulenburg Fitness Center, Kaylee works five to seven days a week yet manages to stay active in school activities, participates in community services, and maintains a strong grade point average.

Easton Jaeger

Easton Brett Jaeger, the son of Jennifer and Clint Kyle Jaeger, is a senior at Fayetteville High School. He plans to attend Sam Houston State University for a degree in Kinesiology and eventually get a Doctor of Physical Therapy and become a licensed physical therapist.

Pricilla Malota, Fayetteville High School Counselor explains that Easton is a valued member of the National Honor Society, participates in UIL Academics, and is actively involved in various sports including basketball, baseball, track, and golf. He has earned multiple accolades such as being named to the TABC 1A All-State Team, the Basketball District Defensive MVP, and the Baseball 1A THSCA Super Elite Team. Most recently, he was honored as the 2024 Baseball District Offensive MVP. Malota reflects that beyond his personal achievements, Easton has deep commitments to the community by assisting at the community food bank and help at church functions.

Easton balances a rigorous school career with taking time for video games as well as a good game of golf and enjoys helping his grandfather with cattle and plenty of chores on the farm.

Kinsley Bage

Kinsley Dawn Bage, a senior at Round Top-Carmine High School, is the daughter of Nicole and Jeremy Bage. She plans to attend Blinn College and transfer to a four-year university to major in Mechanical Engineering.

Kinsley’s high school athletic career includes Tennis where she earned 2023 District Runner-Up and Regional Qualifier in Singles Tennis and third place District Singles in 2024 and Basketball. Kinsley was a 2022 Track & Field Regional Qualifier in 3200 meters. Academically, Kinsley was involved in BETA Club, FCCLA, and Art where in 2024 she was a Western Art Finalist in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Kinsley’s UIL accomplishments include 1st Place and Regional Qualifier in Biology in 2022. Her three years of Calculator Application culminated in 2nd place and Regional Qualifier, and her three years of Number Sense earned 5th place twice and 4th place. Kinsley earned 2nd and 6th place in UIL Science and she rounds out academically with three years of All-A Honor Roll.

Kinsley’s extracurricular activities include tutoring elementary students after school, volunteering at the Round Top Festival Institute as a Junior Ambassador as well as volunteering to aid the Round Top Family Library with the summer S.E.E. Program that bridges the summer learning gap while enriching children socially and interpersonally.

Arely Lopez

Arely Yomara Lopez, a senior at Flatonia High School, is the daughter of Fabiola and Eluterio Lopez. Her math teacher, Melissa Baugh says, “Arely’s hardworking nature will motivate her to continue learning and growing as she moves beyond high school into the realm of post-secondary education to prepare for her dream of becoming an accountant.” Arely’s extracurricular activities include four years in track and captain her senior year earning the Most Valuable Player Award; four years in Interact Club as well as holding Officer positions in both FFA and FCA.

Arely has been Class President, Secretary in both National Honor Society and Student Council, and participated in UIL. She has maintained the All-A Honor Roll for four years, earned “Most Improved” Award in Writing and English 1 PreAP, and Advanced Floral as well as “Outstanding” Award for Biology, Chemistry and Spanish III.

Arely rounds out her school experiences with volunteering to help the Booster Club at Football games and assists with Lil Football & Cheer League Games. She serves the community by helping to set up the Czhilispiel Youth Group area, Trunk or Treat, Interact Parade, Christmas Nursing Home Gifts, Texas Independence Relay, and Highway Cleanups. Arely babysits young children where she cooks for them and keeps them active and entertained but also has been employed as a waitress and kitchen assistant at the Red Vault Bistro during the past three years

Hunter Sabo

Hunter Sabo, a senior at La Grange High School, is the son of Lisa and Frank Mollenberndt. He plans to pursue a degree in either mechanical or civil engineering at Texas A&M University. Hunter’s high school and activities include National Honor Society, Delta Epsilon Phi German Honor Society, National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Program Awardee, Awardee of the National Scholar Award, and Awardee of the Rosa Meineke Award for being top five in the class after the 2023-2024 school year. Hunter served his Class of 2025 as Historian and the Anchor Club as Vice President of Service and Fundraising. He is a member of the German Club, Interact Club, and Leo Club. Hunter has represented his school as a two-year German State Competitor, UIL Mathematics Regional Qualifier, and as a German American Partnership Program Participant. He has Lettered in Varsity Baseball, Football, Swim Team, and Golf.

Hunter’s extracurricular activities include being a member of his church’s Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO), Pure Country 4H Club where he has raised commercial heifers, a herd of goats, and his own herd of cattle. He’s a member of the Central Texas Storm Baseball, Fayette Area Swim Team, has lifeguarded during summers at the La Grange City Pool, worked summer camp at Camp Lutherhill in La Grange and summer day camps at the Randall Recreation Center along with after school day care. Hunter shares his joy for serving not only our community in different services like Schmeckenfest, Donuts and Bingo with Special Friends of La Grange, and the Texas Czech Heritage Festival but also cleaning a public park in California, organizing loads of food for the Food Bank of the Rockies in Colorado, and volunteering at an animal shelter in Missouri all with the company of his fellow Lutheran Youth group members.

Kevin Oberkirschner, Hunter’s AP Science teacher and UIL Coach has chaperoned La Grange High School exchange trips to Germany and explains that, while many students bitterly complain of homesickness and other challenges of being away from home on these long trips abroad, Hunter never complained and was grateful for this incredible opportunity that others seemed to take for granted. The health challenges of his mother have not only drawn his family together very closely but has shaped Hunter’s dream of being a good family man and provider while doing a career that he will enjoy, and these qualities are what Kevin Oberkirschner says defines Hunter as a humble, incredibly hardworking student with amazing character.

Kooper Bloodworth

Kooper Adam Bloodworth, a senior at Giddings High School, is the son of Angelia and RobertAdam Bloodworth. He plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and pursue a degree in Computer Science while getting an opportunity to serve our Country. Kooper’s awards and achievements include Class President for four years, Texas Boys State Participant, Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp, and Principal’s Honor Roll for 4.0 GPA for three years. He has participated for three years--with the latter two years as Captain of the GHS UIL Computer Science Academic Team, and has earned Individual District Champion, two-time Team District Champion and two-time Team Regional Winner. Kooper has participated on the GHS UIL Number Sense Academic Team two years and four years as All-Academic Athlete.

Kooper has served four years in both the Interact Club and Student Council, and as President for two years in the Beta Club. During Kooper’s four years of athletics, he has earned individual and team championships at District, Regional and State levels in Varsity Cross-Country. His three years in Varsity Track & Field yielded him Area Qualifier four times in four different running events. Varsity Baseball won Kooper a District Champion and three-time Bi-District Championship Team award. Kooper participated in Varsity Tennis, Jr. Varsity Basketball and Varsity Powerlifting in which he was a Regional Qualifier.

Somehow Kooper has found the time to complete a total of 20 assorted accelerated courses in two AP subjects – Calculus and Computer Science A, three University of Texas On-Ramps Programs – Physics, Rhetoric, and Geo. Science, three Dual-Credits – U.S. History, Economy, Government, and 12 Honors Courses in different Sciences, Mathematics, English, and History.

Giddings High School Principal, Michael Mahoney says, “Whether it was assisting Lt. Master Sargeant Landon Bonds with an interactive, hands-on presentation during his 5th grade Veteran’s Day Program or getting Giddings ISD’s Buffalo Stadium ready for the GHS Class of 2024’s Graduation Program, Kooper always steps up to help without hesitation. When I need something done the right way, Kooper is the one I turn to in my senior class because of the pride he takes in helping others and the quality job he always does.”

Regent Carolyn Caflish awarded the prestigious DAR Jewelry Pins, Certificates from NSDAR, and the Chapter’s monetary awards of $150 each to five recipients. The State Good Citizen Chairman, Gabrielle Hadyka was asked to award to Kooper Bloodworth the same awards but a $250 monetary award as he has advanced to the State Level as DAR Good Citizen representing Giddings High School and our Smith-McMillan Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Following the Awards Ceremony, Regent Carolyn Caflisch thanked hostesses Jeanne Schilling and Kim Joost and asked Chaplain, Sherry Hebert to give the Benediction then adjourned all to enjoy the English-themed Tea of homemade assortments of sweet and savory bites.