It has been a pleasure the last few years to host our youth award and scholarship winners at our state capitol in the historic Tennessee General Assembly’s House Chamber on Statehood Day. June 1, 1796, Tennessee officially became the 16th state in the Union, but Nashville didn’t become the state capital until more than 40 years later, as center of power moved westward with state expansion. Our winners have enjoyed celebrating this special Tennessee anniversary with us, as we honored their achievements With Covid-19 the legislative staff could not host us this year at the capitol with the unprecedented return of the House and Senate this week to conclude session, but we could not miss the opportunity to congratulate and honor these special award winners. Over the next few weeks we will be publishing more information on each of our them via social media on our public and state FaceBook sites. To kick off our virtual celebration, today’s post is written by State First Vice Regent and Award’s Chair, Emily Robinson. I hope that you enjoy our upcoming presentation of awards on our FaceBook sites, and that you will say a little toast in honor of our state’s 224th anniversary today. In Service, Cecile
The Tennessee Society DAR looks to the past in honoring the beginning of Tennessee, but we also look at the present and what is to come. Our state’s future will be shaped by our youth, and the Tennessee Society DAR is proud to support our current Tennessee students. This year another group of stellar students entered various contests and scholarship competitions which are offered by TSDAR, and all of the students were sponsored by local DAR chapters across the state. Although our annual Statehood Day Awards Ceremony at the State Capitol was cancelled due to COVID 19 health concerns, the winners have been presented with their awards and we want to recognize and honor the hard work and academic dedication of each of these Tennessee students!
American History Essay Contest – Suzanne White, Chair. Students in grades 5,6,7, and 8 in public or private school, or those who are home schooled are eligible for this contest. One state winner is selected in each grade. The 2019-2020 topic was, “The Voyage of the Mayflower.” Congratulations:
5th Grade – Zion (Zee) Carnes, sponsored by the Mary Blount Chapter
6th Grade – Skylar Bright, sponsored by the Alexander Keith Chapter
7th Grade – Katherine Perez, sponsored by the Sarah Polk Chapter
8th Grade – Garrett Crowder, sponsored by the Ann Robertson Chapter
Christopher Columbus Essay Contest – Abigail Simone, Vice Chair. This contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12, with one state winner selected. The topic was, “A Sailor’s Experiences as Part of Christopher Columbus’ First Expedition to the Americas.” Congratulations:
10th grade – McRae Dickinson, sponsored by the Watauga Chapter
Tennessee History Poster Contest – Vicki Hines, Chair. Students in grades 4,5,6, and 7 are eligible to enter this contest, and a winner is selected in each grade. The 2019-2020 contest celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with the theme, “Tennessee’s Perfect 36: How Tennessee Gave Women the Right to Vote.” Congratulations:
4th Grade – Abigail Shelton, sponsored by the Zachariah Davies Chapter
5th Grade – Stefany Senn, sponsored by the Captain William Edmiston Chapter
6th Grade – Rachel Plondke, sponsored by the Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter
7th Grade – Tanya Garcia, sponsored by the Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter
DAR Good Citizens – Jill Stone, Chair. This program recognizes outstanding students who exhibit the qualities of good citizen in their homes, schools and communities. It is open to all high school seniors enrolled in public and private schools accredited by their state board of education. Many high schools throughout the state chose a DAR Good Citizen, and all of these Good Citizen winners are commended for their accomplishment. The following list of exemplary students went on to enter the DAR Good Citizen Scholarship Contest, and serve as the TSDAR District winners:
Sarah Francis Little, sponsored by the Bonny Kate Chapter- Appalachian District
Vivika Cheemakoti, sponsored by the Nancy Ward Chapter – Cherokee District
Dante Carrasco, sponsored by the Chickasaw Bluff Chapter – Chickasaw District
Hannah Diles, sponsored by the Tenassee Chapter – Cumberland District
Elizabeth Worley, sponsored by the Robert Lewis Chapter – Sequoyah District
From these district winners, two state winners have been selected:
Vivika Cheemakoti, sponsored by the Nancy Ward Chapter
Dante Carrasco, sponsored by the Chickasaw Bluff Chapter. Dante has also been selected as the Southeastern Division winner, and is entered in the national competition! Congratulations to each of our DAR Good Citizen winners.
TSDAR American History Scholarship – Wanda Day, Chair. This one-time award is granted to a graduating high school senior who will be attending an accredited 4-year college or university, and who will have a concentrated study in American history and/or American Government. Congratulations to:
Julia Durham, sponsored by the Brigadier General Richard Winn Chapter
Ellen Davies Rodgers-Zachariah Davies Scholarship – Ann Andrews, Chair. This scholarship is granted to a graduating high school senior, and is based on an essay, a narrative of the student’s patriotic endeavors, transcripts, resume, and letters of recommendation.
Congratulations to:
Margaret Hartley, sponsored by the Old Reynoldsburgh Chapter
TSDAR Scholarship – Lee Parham, Chair. The scholarship is granted to graduating high school senior, and an essay, transcripts, resume and letters of recommendation are required. Congratulations to:
Libby Rushton, sponsored by the Old Reynoldsburgh Chapter
We are proud of all the students who entered the TSDAR contests and competitions, and congratulate each of the outstanding state winners! Throughout the month of June we will be highlighting their accomplishments on FaceBook, so please visit our sites to learn more about each of these outstanding Tennesseans. Emily Robinson
