The youth recognition celebration of the Captain William Hendricks Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was held April 14 at the Tri-Rivers Auditorium.

It is a celebration held once a year to honor the youth of Marion and Morrow counties who have participated in various contests sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Hope Hack, senior at Mount Gilead High School, was chosen by the organization as the good citizen of the year.

The good citizen contest originated in 1934 by the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor the qualities of leadership, dependability, service and patriotism in senior high school students.

The final honorees of the evening were the good citizens of six area high schools: Jordan Johnson, Elgin High School; Melissa Houston, Marion Harding High School; Dylan Brewer, Marion Pleasant High School; Hope Hack, Mount Gilead High School; Michelle Brown, Northmor High School and Taylor Hawk, River Valley High School

The good citizen from each high school submits a personal account of activities and writes a 500-word essay. The chapter winner moves on to the district contest with the top 4 district winners progressing to the state level. The state winners are judged in divisional contests and these divisional winners are the applicants for the National Awards with a $5,000 prize to the National First Place Winner.

Jan Augenstein, Chairman of the good citizen contest, announced that Hack received a check and the Gertrude Mack Good Citizen Plaque, which will remain at Mount Gilead High School for one year.

In addition, Hack was presented a pin as the good citizen of the Captain William Hendricks Chapter. She will also receive a certificate at her school’s awards assembly.

Staff report