Holyoke DAR honors students

Date: 2/23/2010

Feb. 24, 2010.

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



HOLYOKE -- The Mary Mattoon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was recently honored to host an awards ceremony celebrating the eight seniors from area high schools for their hard work.

The 2010 Good Citizen Awards ceremony took place at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home on Feb. 15. The guest speaker for the ceremony was State Rep. Don Humason, R-Westfield.

"Congratulations to the recipients of the awards," Humason said. "This is a great opportunity for me to talk to a group of people being honored for their work in the community and their schools ... What makes a good citizen? A willingness to be involved, to volunteer, to be active.

"What a proud group you are, with such amazing traditions," Humason said of the DAR. "To be honored by the DAR is a big deal."

The eight winners of the Good Citizen Awards are Kristin Andres of Amherst Regional High School; Katherine Dougherty of Belchertown High School; Jennifer Von Flatern of Frontier Regional High School; Christy Lee McCray of Granby Junior/Senior High School; Rachael Wolff of Holyoke Catholic High School; Britney Lopez of Holyoke High School; Kaitlyn Yarrows of Smith Academy; and Katherine Doody of South Hadley High School.

Andres was described as "the researcher, the organizer, the problem solver" in one of her letters of recommendation; Dougherty, as someone whose "drive is untouchable" and who has a "true gift for mathematics."

Von Flatern's "friendly ways, her willingness to help others [and] her ability to connect with and earn the respect of her peers" led to her receiving an award. McCray was described as "a borner leader and doer, outgoing and effervescent."

Wolff's experience with the Girl Scouts and a recent trip to Tanzania to teach English were cited in her letters; Lopez was heralded as "a vivacious and enthusiastic leader ... a shining example of what the next generation can become."

Yarrows was recommended because she is "athletic, independent, ambitious, outgoing, realistic, driven" and more. Doody was described as "an affable, self-assured young woman who relates well to children and peers."

A DAR Good Citizen exemplifies the following qualities: dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Each Good Citizen Award winner received recognition from the DAR and at least $25 for their efforts.

"It's important the DAR honors young men and women for their good deeds," Humason said. "They will make my life and the lives of others in the Pioneer Valley better."