Wooster-Wayne DAR holds recognition ceremony
Nurain Samantha Amier
The Wooster-Wayne chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution held a recognition ceremony at Parkview Christian Church on April 4, honoring an Outstanding Teacher of American History and five DAR Good Citizens chosen by area high schools. The guest speaker was Jerry Payn as President Abraham Lincoln.
The Outstanding Teacher of American History was Steve Liptak of Chippewa High School. Liptak has taught for 31 years and currently teaches 10th grade U.S. history and AP U.S. history. He said appreciation for American history is the driving force that allows him to teach about the United States of America in an enthusiastic way.
“I want students to remember me for being an educator who is passionate about teaching American history while also looking to make a difference in educating students,” Liptak said.
In recognition of this honor, Liptak received a monetary award and certificate.
The DAR honors a graduating senior from each area high school as a DAR Good Citizen. The Wooster-Wayne chapter had five schools choose a graduating senior who exemplifies the characteristics of a DAR Good Citizen: dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Each school representative receives a DAR Good Citizen certificate, pin and wallet card.
The Good Citizens chosen by their schools can choose to enter the chapter’s scholarship competition. Three judges determined this year’s winner based on academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, community participation and an essay answering the question, “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It: How do the qualities of a good citizen (dependability, service, leadership and patriotism) help support our nation?”
This year’s winner is Nurain Samantha Amier of Wooster High. Amier also received a plaque and a scholarship from the Wooster-Wayne chapter. Her name will be added to the traveling trophy, which will be displayed at her high school until next year’s winner is chosen.
Included in her essay, Amier wrote, “The foundation of our nation lies in the core values of its citizens, which unify the citizens and serve as the nation’s source of strength and power. If the people of our nation are all good citizens who embody these qualities (dependability, service, leadership and patriotism), our country of unique heritage will grow into a more peaceful, unified, prosperous and progressive nation.”
In further competition, Amier was selected as the DAR Northeast Ohio district winner. She went on and was chosen as the female DAR Good Citizen for the state of Ohio. She and her family attended a special luncheon during the Ohio DAR State Conference in Columbus to receive her scholarship award and certificate.
Amier will attend college to pursue a major in ecology and evolutionary biology or environmental science with the goal to become a public health veterinarian.
Others recognized were Katherine Adkins, Kingsway Christian School; Kayla Ling, Wayne County Schools Career Center; Emma Miller, Waynedale High School; and Garret Shoup, Hiland High School.
Jerry Payn, a retired teacher and President Lincoln re-enactor, provided history about Lincoln’s father and grandfather, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He went on to speak about the importance of good citizenship, citing passages from the students’ essays.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890. As a volunteer service organization, the DAR is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children. Its members are descended from the patriots who aided the country’s fight for independence. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.
The Wooster-Wayne chapter began in 1904. For more information about the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Wooster-Wayne chapter, email Robbin Christman at woowaydar@gmail.com.