The Sarah Maples Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently presented several important awards.
GOOD CITIZEN
The Sarah Maples Chapter of DAR gives “Good Citizens Awards.” This year, our award goes to Grace Kline who goes to Mabank High School. She is a member of the varsity and Panther Edition show choir. As a member of this organization she has been instrumental in planning and implementing of the fund raising events for the choir. She is a cadet girl scout and as one of her projects she educated three local day care centers about the importance of recycling for her silver award, which is the highest award a cadet girl scout can earn. She also weatherproofed a house for a family that needed help. She volunteers in the pre-school at her church and at nursing homes. As Grace’s minister says she is an exceptional young woman who has distinguished herself in church and community as both a leader and a servant. Grace is in National Honor Society and plans to attend the Stephen F. Austin College and major in Forest Wildlife Management. Congratulations go to Grace and keep up the good works.
8TH GRADE ESSAY
The Sarah Maples Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution are so proud of the girls who have entered the essay contest this year. The American History Essay Contest topic this year was to pretend you are a boy or girl during the American Revolution. Using historical facts, discuss how the war is affecting your family and life.
This year the 8th grade winner is Lauren Farris who goes to the Mabank Junior High School. Her teacher is Laura Meurin, and principal is Barbie Conrad.
Lauren’s essay was in the form of a journal with entries spaced from 1773 to 1783 during which she matured from a young girl in a close family whose father and brother went to war. She and her mother had to hunt for food and protect their home. She grew up and became a married woman who has seen war up close and experienced the death of her father. The last entry said, “Finally we have our independence and now we can be a family again.”
Congratulations goes to Lauren for all the work she put into her essay, please keep up your studies and we hope you will always have an interest in history.
5TH GRADE ESSAY
The Sarah Maples DAR always love it when the kids enter the essay contests. It gives us a chance to know the kids and see what they think about American History. Judges this year were Carolyn Bostain, Mary Beth Haley, Sarah Kendrick, Linda Mynar and Carole Ruska.
The American History Essay Contest topic for this year was to pretend you are a boy or a girl during the American Revolution. Using historical facts, discuss how the war is affecting your family and life.
Winner for the 5th grade is Maci McDowell who goes to school at the Mabank Intermediate School. Her teacher is Mrs. Hernandez and principal is James Pate.
Maci’s essay was from the perspective of a girl who pretended to be a boy and left home to find her father and uncle who had gone to fight in the war. She was wounded but recovered; however, her father died. She picked up her father’s sword and fought for her and the American’s people’s freedom.
It looks like Maci did her research. There were several women who dressed as men and entered the war. Some to be near their husbands and some just wanted to fight.
Congratulations Maci, and keep up the good work in your studies. We at Sarah Maples are very proud of you.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Each year the Sarah Maples Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution always choose an outstanding history teacher to receive the DAR award. This year Russell Pharmakis was chosen to receive the award. He teaches U.S. History, AP U.S. History, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics at Mabank High School. His principal, Brad Koskelin, nominated him for this honor. He also won third place in the state contest and will receive an award and check at the DAR conference next month in Dallas That means that out of almost 200 chapters in Texas, Russell came in third. That is wonderful.
Russell’s favorite method for getting students to use primary sources is to put them in the shoes of a historical figure at a critical time and see what their actions would be and why. This not only illustrates the difficulties facing the individual at the time, but suddenly transforms this stoic figure in history into a real person with human frailties. They begin to understand the issues at a much more personal level and can see how it may still affect us today.
Thank you Russell for being the teacher that you are and thinking outside the box.
GOOD CITIZEN
Payton Bray is a senior at Kemp High School. She has been chosen as a “Good Citizen” from her school. She has been active in many organizations and has been treasurer and Vice President of Future Career and Community Leaders of America. She is a leader in fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is an Ambassador as a certified nurses assistant.
Payton has helped with Cedar Creek clean up, has worked with Habitat for Humanity, Blood drive and has also given blood and has helped with the senior citizen dance. Payton has been on the AB honor roll all four years and is a member of the Beta Club.
She was a team member at Whatz Up fun park. Tutored a seventh and eight grade student in math and has worked in a private home health service for an elderly woman. She works at Subway in Kemp, as a “Sandwich Artist”. Her employer finds that her dedication to service and hard work will ensure that we have another future leader for several generations.
So it is with great pride that the Sarah Maples Chapter selected Payton Bray as our “Good Citizen”. Payton we at Sarah Maples hope that you continue in your studies and as a Good Citizen.