The Liberty Bell Chapter (Allentown) of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual awards ceremony April 18 in the family center of Jordan Lutheran Church, Orefield. Local high school seniors, including a Whitehall High School student, were presented with DAR Good Citizen awards, cadets participating in local military programs were awarded DAR Cadet medals, and middle school students who won the American history essay contest were recognized.

The Good Citizen Committee began in 1934 as the DAR Good Citizen Pilgrimage. The awards were only presented to senior girls from four-year high schools.

The present day DAR Good Citizen committee was created in 1952. The purpose of the committee is to recognize and reward male and female high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of a good citizen: dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. The recipient must demonstrate the qualities of a good citizen in his or her home, school and community environment.

The recipients of the Liberty Bell Chapter’s 2026 DAR Good Citizen awards were judged based on these qualities of a good citizen. Recipients were chosen by their high schools’ guidance counselors. Some students’ entries also included an optional essay for the DAR Good Citizen Scholarship essay contest.

The students receiving the 2026 DAR Good Citizen awards were Maya Williams, Whitehall High School; Lennon Murray, Catasauqua High School; Boden Rainford, Emmaus High School; Kelsey McPeek, Parkland High School; Meredith Kelley, Salisbury High School; Makayla Bressi, Northwestern Lehigh High School; and Shamiya Roberts, Allentown Central Catholic High School.

Each school recipient received a DAR Good Citizen pin, personalized certificate and a Liberty Bell Chapter honor cord.

Rainford had the winning essay in the DAR Scholarship essay contest and received a monetary award from the chapter.

The DAR American history essay contest is open to students grades 5-8. Students may participate through their schools, libraries, social media, churches, Scouts and the YMCA. Topics vary yearly. This year, Ava Buchman, seventh grade, and Maria Khoury, both from St. Joseph the Worker, won the contest.

The National Defense Committee of the Daughters of the American Revolution was established in 1926 and, since 1967, awards medals yearly to students participating in Junior ROTC programs. In 2013, the NSDAR National Defense Committee established the Outstanding Cadet Medal to be given to cadets from non-ROTC military-affiliated cadet programs, locally that being the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The Junior ROTC and Outstanding Cadet recipients are chosen by their unit commanders.

The DAR Junior ROTC Bronze Medal is awarded to a cadet who has shown the qualities of dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership and a fundamental understanding of the importance of ROTC training.

Cadet Lieutenant Lucia Saavedra, from Louis E. Dieruff High School, Junior ROTC Air Force program, and Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Willianys Cordero, from William Allen High School, Junior ROTC Naval program, each received the 2026 DAR Junior ROTC Bronze Medal, a personalized certificate, a Liberty Bell honor cord and a monetary gift for their outstanding performance in their Junior ROTC respective units.

The Outstanding Cadet Medal is awarded to a cadet from non-ROTC military-affiliated cadet programs. This medal recognizes a cadet who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, honor, service, courage and patriotism.

Cadet Chief Petty Officer William Lopez, from Lehigh Valley Academy, participates in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Lehigh Valley division. He received the DAR Outstanding Cadet Silver Medal, a personalized certificate, a Liberty Bell honor cord and a monetary gift for his distinguished accomplishments in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Members of the Liberty Bell Chapter, school representatives, parents and family members attended the ceremony. The ceremony was opened with Louis E. Dieruff Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard Presentation of Colors.

The color guard is a group of four cadets who present the U.S. and Air Force flags at ceremonies. Presenting the colors is a military tradition dating back to the beginning of our country. The Pledge of Allegiance followed the presentation of colors, and welcoming remarks were made by Honorary Regent Loretta Igo. Chaplain Janice Stephens gave the invocation.

Igo and Abigail Saul, chair of the Good Citizen Award committee, presented the awards and medals. All recipients briefly told the audience a little about themselves and their future ambitions.

Closing remarks by Igo included thanking parents for helping to guide these students in becoming strong examples of young citizens of the United States of America. Stephens gave the benediction.

The DAR is a women’s nonprofit social service organization whose mission is historic preservation, education and patriotism. The organization was founded in 1890. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. DAR members are committed to volunteer service in their communities, their states and their nation. The Liberty Bell Chapter was established in 1892.

To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit DAR.org.