February 9, 2025 – Twenty-one high school students were honored at the annual Good Citizens Award Ceremony on February 8, 2025, hosted by the Fresno-Yosemite Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. These students were recommended by their teachers and counselors because they demonstrate the qualities of a good citizen. These young people are dependable and honest. They accept responsibility and show leadership. They are patriotic and loyal to American ideals.
Elika Ghanbari from Clovis North High School was awarded first place. Second place was awarded to Madison Baker from Bullard High School, and third place was awarded to Brooklyn Sennaway from Clovis West High School.
Other participants were Madison Marion from Chowchilla High School, Briley Laret from Clovis East High School, Owen Mooney from Clovis High School, Kasia Chang from Duncan Polytechnical High School, Paulina Dominguez-Vela from El Diamante High School, Harveet Sandhu from Fowler High School, D’Lyla Garcia Hernandez from Freedom Homeschool, Ashleen Thind from Kerman High School, Dennis Fan from Kingsburg High School, Cambria Jackson from Liberty High School, Inderveer Singh from Madera High School, Nicolle Ruiz from Mathilda Torres High School, Marea Katrien Vidak from Mt. Whitney High School, Nicholas Preis from San Joaquin Memorial High School, Gavin Dougherty from Sanger High School, Ayden Mata from Sanger West High School, Marianne Labibit from Sierra Pacific High School, and Kyle Zheng from University High School.
DAR also sponsors an American History Essay contest with the chapter winners going on to a district, state, and national competition. Josiah Lidbeck from Clovis High School won with his essay about Alexander Hamilton. Josiah also won the district competition. The next winner of the American History Essay contest was Levi Lidbeck from Clark Intermediate with his essay on the Wilmington Tea Party. Not only did Levi win the district competition, he won the state competition and will receive an award. The last winner is Titus Lidbeck from Clovis Elementary. Titus won the district competition as well.
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political volunteer organization whose objectives are Historic Preservation, Patriotism, and Education. DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Any woman, 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. For more information, please contact fresnoyosemite.dar@gmail.com.