Smith-McMillan DAR Chapter Honor Good Citizen Award Winners
The Smith-McMillan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution honored the school winners of the Good Citizens Award at the annual Presidents Day Tea on Sunday, Feb. 20.
The ceremony was held at the home of Jeanne Schilling in Fayetteville with parents and guests joining the members for this occasion. The meeting was called to order by Regent Sue Lane McCulley, and after the DAR Ritual and a brief business meeting, Regent McCulley introduced guests and then asked Good Citizen’s Committee Chairperson, Sherry Hebert to introduce the five area high school honorees and 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 plans for the future.
Each winner was asked to participate by writing an essay about “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?” Independent judges reviewed the winners from each school to determine an overall area winner.
All students were awarded a DAR Good Citizens Jewelry Pin and Certificate, and monetary gifts of $150 each--with the first place winner advancing to state level competition and receiving a $250 monetary gift.
Ilse Crystal Salinas is a senior at Round Top-Carmine High School and the daughter of Luciana and Secundino Salinas. She plans to attend Texas A&M to pursue a degree in University Studies and the field of law. Ilse’s school activities include Vice-President of Senior Beta, President of FCCLA (or Family, Career, Community Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Varsity Volleyball Captain and State Runner Up, Varsity Track and Field Two-time State Qualifier, Varsity Cross Country Three Time Regional Qualifier, Varsity Basketball and Varsity Tennis.
Ilse had a summer internship at the Round Top Family Library where she taught youth various subjects; furthermore, she organized and led the Vacation Bible School for the Round Top Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Ilse best exemplifies her virtues of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism with her statement, “I feel that it is my duty to set a good example for students and the community and make my school, community and town better— one project at a time!”
Abigail Dela Rosa is a senior at La Grange High School and the daughter of Myra and Lorenzo Dela Rosa. Abby plans to attend St. Mary’s University for a degree in psychology and a minor in biology and aspires to become a college softball coach. She has shown leadership through three years serving as freshman class president and vicepresident for junior and senior classes as well as holding offices of president and secretary for the Spanish Club. Abby was a founding member of the Leo Club and president for four years as well as a member of Interact Club, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Abby has served as a volunteer coach for both La Grange Little League and La Grange Optimist Club and was honored with Academic All-District Softball and First Team All-District Pitcher. She has kept busy with varsity level softball, track and field. She was a regional qualifier in cross country and volleyball.
Abby rounds out her service and leadership through serving as a Teen ACTS Retreat Leader for three years, JCDA member, and Diocese of Catholic Youth Conference youth leader. Her patriotism is best expressed in her own words, “Citizens seem to forget the hardship and wars our country fought for and the freedom we have today. In schools there’s conflicting thoughts towards standing up for the American flag. I am a firm believer in standing and saying the pledge of allegiance and would speak up to anyone who is sitting down or disrespecting the American flag.”
Madelyn Grace Birnbaum is a senior at Giddings High School and the daughter of Randy and Laura Birnbaum. Madelyn has been accepted into the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University and aspires to own her own retail business. She has participated in Freshman and JV volleyball, JV basketball and track and as a member of the Leadership Team, Spanish Club, Student Council and Class President.
Furthermore, Madelyn has been on the Varsity Cheer team and participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and President of both the Beta Club and LEO Clubs. She has placed every year in UIL Spelling and Vocabulary culminating in first place state level. Madelyn has served as a class representative and LEO representative in the homecoming court each year and in the homecoming court her senior year.
She has served her community in a variety of ways with activities for the youth including community basketball as well as collecting used reading glasses for repair and donation to needy vision impaired citizens and marking her town’s cemetery for Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony.
Madelyn has spent four years and many hours of practice and in tournaments for a club volleyball team. Her summers were filled with 20 hours a week of work at the clinic for Laura Birnbaum, M.D. while also going to summer athletic workouts and is currently employed with the Whistle Stop Antiques on weekends. Madelyn feels that her love of time with family and friends, painting and fashion and time with her family at church worship rounds her out and, combined with her academic and leadership roles exemplifies her qualities of being a DAR Good Citizen.
Brysen Landry Brown is a senior at Schulenburg High School and the daughter of Larry Brown and Sandie Machicek. Brysen is contemplating her future career goals such as marine biology, environmental studies, astrology, nursing or journalism and several university choices. She’s further contemplating her aspirations as a Peace Corps volunteer to help third world countries improve their infrastructure, a National Geographic photographer and she says “a catalyst for change” through writing educational articles.
Brysen’s UIL Academic competitions include 1st place District in Ready Writing, Science, Number Sense, 3rd Place Headline Writing, 2nd Place Feature Writing and crew and cast member for several UIL One Act Play competitions. She was head cheerleader in JV and Co-Head cheerleader in Varsity Cheer and National Cheer Association All-American Cheerleader nominee in 2018 and 2019 and participated in volleyball, basketball, and track for two years.
Brysen was a Freshman Class Officer, an FFA Greenhand Officer, Secretary in National Honor Society and Vice-President of the Student Council as well as a Flying Shorthorns member. Her community service includes volunteering at the Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter from 2020 to present as well as a volunteer of the COVID vaccination clinic at school. Brysen is a tutor in several subjects and a mentor to an SISD elementary student in the PALS Program. She has worked from 2020 to present as a cashier and with pharmacy customer service at the Apothecary Pharmacy.
Whether helping her single parent mom with chores or her sister with homework, Brysen shows dependability and service, and leadership and patriotism. “I am always there when needed without a second thought and serve because I see those who have less, and I can give them abundance as we are all humans.”
Laura Beth James is a senior at Flatonia High School and the daughter of Guy and Michele James. Her future ambitions include a career in some aspect of agricultural policy at either the state or national level of American politics.
Laura has participated in Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team, and Interact Club for four years and Leadership Council her senior year. She is a threeyear member and President of National Honor Society and played one year of Varsity volleyball. She has earned the Letter F Award in three grade levels and Outstanding Student Achievement in Pre-AP English I, II, III, Horticulture, World Geography, Livestock Production and Landscape. Laura has earned District, Regional and 1st in State level awards in UIL Ready Writing, and District level awards in UIL Copy Editing--1st, News Writing-3rd, and Persuasive Speaking-1st. She has been Chapter President for three years in Flatonia FFA, FFA Horizon District Vice-President, FFA Area XI President, FFA State Leadership Conference and FFA Area XI Leadership Conference. Her FFA activities include Greenhand, grade 9; Chapter Farmer, grade 10; Lone Star, grade 11. She’s placed District and Area Levels in Creed Speaking, Chapter Conducting Team, and State level in Extemporaneous Speaking. Laura has also competed and placed at the State Level in the Nursery Landscape Team and Individual competitions at both the Houston and San Antonio Livestock & Rodeo Shows. Furthermore, she has placed at Area and State levels in Livestock Judging in both Team and Individual at both the Houston and San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo Shows.
As a seventh-generation member of a cattle ranching family, Laura’s quite aware of the current disconnect between modern agriculture producers and consumers. This has led her to overtly act politically by writing over 70 letters to elected and appointed state officials seeking support for legislation that would mandate the development of agriculture education curricula for Texas elementary schools. After lengthy emails with Senator Lois Kolkhorst, she filed Senate Bill 801 and Laura testified to the Senate Education Committee, after which the bill was passed last summer and was signed into law by Governor Abbott.
Laura’s future plans include trying to extend and strengthen this legislation in the 2023 session. “My ultimate goal is to ensure food security in America by promoting lifelong agricultural education.”
Organizing Regent of the Smith-McMillan Chapter, Sarah Mabry, gave an inspiring talk with the Good Citizens on what she calls “The 10 Commandments of Good Citizenship.” Sarah received her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M as well as graduate studies in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M, Texas State University, Prairie View A&M University, and Chapman University. Her 45 year “tour of duty” as an educator and Counselor for Higher Education has forged many endearing friendships with students and staff in La Grange ISD as well as a variety of cities and campuses.
Sarah has served on the Bluebonnet Mental Health Advisory Council, Fayette County Child Welfare Board, Vestry St. James’ Episcopal Church, Fayette County 4-H Leader, Austin Chamber of Commerce Direct-to-College Council, Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors Government Relations Chair, Executive Committee and recipient of Outstanding Counselor of the Year, and National Association of College Admissions Counselors Government Relations Committee.
She currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University and was recognized by former President of Texas A&M University, Dr. Robert Gates as a VIC (Very Important Counselor.) Sarah and her husband, Dr. Mike Mabry remain active in farming and ranching enterprises with their three sons and enjoying their retirement and time with their grandchildren.
Laced with anecdotal humor, Sarah addressed the Good Citizens with the “Ten Commandments of Good Citizenship.” First, thou shalt obey the law. There’s a reason for them. Second, thou shalt pay your income taxes. Cash your return income tax check and stimulate the economy. Pay if you owe. It pays for so many privileges and needs that we have in our country. Third, thou shalt vote. The hard earned, 1964 Voting Rights Act—long overdue, ensured the rights for African Americans to vote at the polls. Be an educated voter. Pick up or go online to get an early ballot for your precinct and research the candidates! Respect the rights and opinions of everyone even if you are the polar opposite of another’s opinion. Refrain from animosity and agree to disagree. Fifth, thou shalt pursue a life of learning and education and never stop learning! The more you put into learning, the greater the dividend. Sixth, thou shalt engage in community and civic responsibilities and duties. “Give where you live.” Doing so will build up your life and the lives of others. Seventh, thou shalt respect the traditions and rituals of our country, and always remember our Veterans. Honor our traditions and teach them to the next generation. Eight, thou shalt travel! Explore the country and world and broaden your knowledge and horizons! Ninth, thou shalt plant trees. If you don’t plant them, they won’t grow. February is tree-planting month! You’re providing for generations to come a valuable resource. My peach seed I planted on a whim as a child in my grandfather’s pasture brought him great joy forty years later when I pointed out that I had planted what is now a beautiful and abundant tree! Tenth commandment, thou shalt mow your front yard. Rise to the standard and have civic pride. Do it for yourself and your neighbors. Here’s a bonus for you from Hillary Clinton— ”Hair is important.” You get one chance to make a great first impression. Take pride in your personal appearance. I am “speaking to the choir.” Congratulations to each of you on this great honor, DAR Good Citizens and best wishes for your future endeavors.