The Lieutenant Thomas Barlow Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently honored outstanding students from local elementary, middle, and high schools from throughout the lower Rio Grande Valley. Among the honorees were three San Benito CISD middle school students.
Presented with the DAR 2015 “Youth Citizenship Award” were the following San Benito sixth grade students: Sara Calista Cordova, Berta Cabaza Middle School; Dianella Fayth Esquivel, San Benito Riverside Middle School; and Josue Monjaraz, Miller Jordan Middle School.
The Youth Citizenship Award, formerly the Good Citizenship Award, was established to foster among schoolchildren a greater appreciation of the qualities of citizenship.
Designed to support the belief that patriotic education for today’s youth means building a stronger nation for the future, the local DAR chapter presents the Youth Citizenship Award to sixth grade students who best demonstrate the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism.
Each youth award honoree receives the prestigious Youth Citizenship Medal and a certificate in recognition of their efforts in the field of American citizenship.
“Congratulations to our youth, our future! SBCISD is incredibly proud of how our children continue to demonstrate the necessary traits of sustaining our great nation,” proudly affirmed Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marc A. Puig.
Miller Jordan Middle School (MJMS) award recipient Josue Monjaraz is recognized as a leader and role model.
“Josue is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award! He is a dedicated student and a leader on campus. He is always willing to help other students in his classes and also extends a helping hand in the community,” said MJMS Principal Mary Alice Leal.
As an active member of the MJMS Peers Accepting Leadership Skills (PALS) student organization, Monjaraz volunteers of his time and participates in community service projects such as feeding the hungry, helping the elderly, and brightening the days of the homeless.
“I believe that I have a responsibility to serve others. One of the most meaningful activities that I participated in this year was going to the Ozanam Center during the Christmas season with PALS,” said Monjaraz as he described his experience in visiting a homeless shelter in Brownsville, Texas. The shelter serves individuals and families in need of emergency housing assistance.
“We took the residents snacks, presents and a piñata. It meant a lot to them and to me,” he added.
Berta Cabaza Middle School (BCMS) honoree Sara Calista Cordova believes in her ability to be an example of excellence for future students.
“My goal is to be a better student daily. I want our campus to be the best that it can be. I want to make it a campus that future Berta Cabaza Middle School students would be proud to come to and be as, or more, successful than me and our current students,” explained Cordova.
She added, “It is an honor to be chosen for this award and to represent our campus and district.”
“We, at Berta Cabaza Middle School, are so proud of Sara. It is a prestigious award that Sara can build on as she continues to pursue her future successes,” stated BCMS Principal Ray Saldaña.
Honored to have received such significant recognition, San Benito Riverside Middle School (SBRMS) award recipients Dianella Fayth Esquivel is known for setting extraordinary goals.
“Dianella is an excellent hard working student whose goal is to get many awards and honors and be the top student of her graduating class,” said SBRMS guidance counselor Elma Nuñez.
“I feel extremely honored to have received this amazing award,” expressed Esquivel.
Cordova, Monjaraz, and Esquivel were among the select students that received various awards and/or scholarships at the annual awards tea hosted by the members of the NSDAR Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter on the Marine Military Academy campus in Harlingen, Texas.
The honorees’ parents, school principals, classroom teachers, and guidance counselors were invited to the awards ceremony and reception.
Miller Jordan Middle School (MJMS) sixth grader Josue Monjaraz was recently honored by the Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Monjaraz received the “Youth Citizenship Award.” He is pictured alongside (l-r) MJMS Leadership Officer Training Corps Instructor Steve Longoria and DAR Award Ceremony Co-Chair Joan Pratt.
San Benito Riverside Middle School sixth grader Dianella Fayth Esquivel was recently honored by the Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Having received the “Youth Citizenship Award,” Esquivel is pictured alongside (l-r) her mother, Gloria Calvillo, and DAR Award Ceremony Co-Chair Joan Pratt.
Berta Cabaza Middle School sixth grader Sara Calista Cordova was recently honored by the Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Awarded the “Youth Citizenship Award,” Cordova is pictured standing between (l-r) her sister, Camille Cordova, and DAR Award Ceremony Co-Chair Joan Pratt.