DAR Regent Connie Foster, of Carroll Jo Daviess Chapter 5015-IL District II, submitted ten student recognitions in three Counties.
The DAR Good Citizens Award is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. It recognizes and rewards individuals who possess good citizenship qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Students are selected by their teachers and peers, because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. Only one student per year may be honored as a school’s DAR Good Citizen.
CARROLL COUNTY
Milledgeville-Matthew Thomas Lapp, son of Tracy Lapp
• Matthew enjoys volunteering, helping out at his church, the local food pantry and tutoring. He has been a member of the National Honor Society since he was a sophomore. Matthew participates in Drama Club and plans to further his education at Sauk Valley Community College, eventually majoring in Criminal Justice.
Eastland-Natalie Elizabeth Reifsteck, daughter of Dan and Katie Reifsteck
• Active in sports, music, and community service, Natalie has also been inducted into the National Honor Society. As a member of Girl Scouts, she began her “cookies4soldiers” program in seventh grade. Since then, she has raised donations for cookies and sent care packages to our troops, overseas and serving stateside. She plans on working in Healthcare or Cyber Security in the future.
West Carroll-Did not participate this year.
JO DAVIESS COUNTY
East Dubuque-Laney Thumser, daughter of Emmy and Dale Thumser
• During her time on the Student Council, Laney helped plan fundraisers, events, and school dances. She works Red Cross Blood Drives, scheduling donors and assisting the Phlebotomists. Laney does additional volunteering at Finley Hospital, covering the front desk and attending to patients in the Behavioral Health unit.
Stockton-Joseph Brudi-son of Brad and Val Brudi
• Joseph has been quite active in FFA, serving as Secretary, Vice-President, and President. He also held the office of Secretary of the SHS National Honor Society and the Student Council. In addition to participating on the Golf and Academic teams all four years, Joseph spends time volunteering for community service with NHS, 4-H, and the American Legion. He works at Woodbine Bend Golf Course and plans to study Aviation in college and become a Pilot.
Galena-Ian Blake Roddick, son of Tara and Blake Roddick
• Ian is especially interested in computers and plans on obtaining a degree in Computer Science at U of I in Champaign-Urbana. He is an Illinois State Scholar and was a State participant in the Academic Challenge. Ian works at the Victory Café and helps out his family with their “IT” problems.
Warren-Claire Riedl, daughter of Doug and Becky Riedl
• Claire has been Varsity Volleyball Vaptain for three years and also plays Voftball for WHS. She has been President of her class all four years and is also President of the National Honor Society. Future plans include college and studying Business Marketing and Creative Media. She enjoys photography and videography in her spare time.
Scales Mound-Emma Johannah Wentz, daughter of Christian and Sara Wentz
• Emma is passionate about music, taking part in Band, Choir, and Musicals. She has played Volleyball and Softball all four years and belongs to the National Honor Society. Emma serves the younger people of her community by umpiring Pee Wee and Junior High age Softball and refereeing Volleyball games for those same age groups. She started working at Culver’s in 2019 and has taken on the added responsibilities of Shift Manager. After graduation, she will continue her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in Music Education.
River Ridge-Kari Mae Conklin-daughter of Angie Conklin and Travis Conklin
• Kari has participated in Basketball and Golf, Band, Choir, FFA, and many plays. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council. Outside of school, she is active at her church and belongs to 4-H. Kari’s future plans include an undergraduate degree in Pre-Med, with the ultimate goal of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon.
STEPHENSON COUNTY
Pearl City-Madilyn Mae Diddens, daughter of Laura Diddens and Dana Diddens
• Madilyn is involved with the Servant Leadership program, is an Honor Roll student, and helps out at the food pantry for both church and school. She has participated on the Academic team and Quiz Bowl. Her work history includes detasseling corn, Rafters in Lena, and the village of Pearl City. Future plans are to attend Highland Community College and get an Associate Degree in Accounting.
Lena-Winslow-Ava Grace Randecker, daughter of Timothy and Summer Randecker
• Ava enjoys the outdoors taking hikes, running, swimming, and rock climbing among many other activities. She plays Basketball and is also on the Track team. Ava has helped to raise funds for Hoo Haven Wildlife Rescue and for several years has run a 5K for breast cancer awareness in Peoria. Ava is very active in her church community and youth ministry program. She is interested in Biology and Science and aims to pursue a career in that field after high school.