LEOMINSTER — The city-based Capt. John Joslin, Jr. chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recognized six local students during the group’s annual Good Citizens awards luncheon.
The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship and this year’s national program prompt was as follows — “Our nation will celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. Describe how the characteristics of a good citizen help to renew and strengthen the democracy achieved by the Patriots of the American Revolution.”
Leominster High School senior Princess Sasu was bestowed the highest honor at the March 7 event held at the veterans center. The 17-year-old’s essay on this year’s title, ‘Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It,’ will now go onto the state finalist competition level.
In addition, she received $100 on top of the $500 scholarships given to each of the award recipients, there will be a flag flown in her name over Memorial Continental Hall at the DAR headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Sasu read her winning essay, which she said focuses on “American patriotism and the importance of unity to support communities,” at the March 9 Leominster City Council meeting.
“I am honored to receive this award,” the young woman shared. “To be seen as a Good Citizen while at the high school level is very encouraging and I am very thankful for the opportunity to receive it.”
According to the DAR website, the nonprofit organization’s Good Citizens Committee seeks to illuminate high school seniors across the country who exemplify the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism and seeks to recognize and uplift the young citizens as a shining example to others.
This year’s winners — Sasu along with Carly Churchill, Kelsey Ikonen, Yasmin Moen, Emelia Robertson, and Cameron Scerbo — hail from the six high schools in the region who participated — Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, and St. Bernard’s high schools, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, and Oakmont Regional High School.
“A Good Citizen looks beyond themselves and work to make their community stronger. Each one of these students has positively impacted their communities with their leadership and service,” Massachusetts DAR State Librarian and Capt. John Joslin, Jr. chapter Vice Regent Sharon Bouchard said of this year’s award and scholarship recipients.
Members of the Capt. John Joslin, Jr. chapter gave each of the young adults a DAR Good Citizens pin, certificate, and a $500 check, scholarships courtesy of Fitchburg’s American Legion Post 10, who Bouchard said has partnered with their chapter “to recognize and celebrate these amazing students.”
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