Students from West Hartford were among the award recipients.

Submitted

Earlier this year, the Sarah Whitman Hooker Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a ceremony for its annual Good Citizens Awards for students of six local high schools.

The DAR Good Citizens Award recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate the four qualities of a good citizen: Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism. As part of the Good Citizen’s program, the DAR also provides a Scholarship Essay contest which the Good Citizen students can choose to participate in and which is judged at the chapter, state and national level.

The event included West Hartford Town Council member Ben Wenograd who shared his thoughts on citizenship in the context of today’s political climate.

The winner of the Good Citizens Award at Conard High School is Ella Tanis. Ella is the daughter of Heather and Reggie Tanis. Ella also tied for the Chapter’s Scholarship Essay award. She participates in Track, Basketball and Soccer as well as Theater at Conard and volunteers at Central Connecticut Hospital. Her future plans are focused on Pediatric Nursing and she has worked with young children since childhood.

The William H. Hall High School’s Good Citizen this year is Mollie Isabelle Hall. Mollie’s parents are Ellen Woodruff and Joshua Hall. Mollie is not only a dedicated athlete on the Track, Girls Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams but actively involved with BBYO (a Jewish teen leadership organization); Relay for Life; Be Homeful Club; the emBODY love club (promoting body positivity); and Link Crew. Mollie is a recipient of the AP Capstone Diploma, AP Scholar Award with Distinction, Wesleyan University Book Award and an inductee of the National Honors Society and National Spanish Honors Society. Mollie is planning to major in Business (with an emphasis on sustainability) and will be pursuing those interests at Northeastern University in Boston.

Northwest Catholic High School’s Good Citizen is Aidan Mahoney, son of Wendy and Donald Mahoney. Aidan also tied for the Chapter’s Scholarship Essay award. Aidan has been class president and carries a heavy course load, including two AP courses in Political Science. He participates in many other activities in and out of school including the basketball team and volunteering at a memory care facility in his hometown of Avon. Aidan is planning to study Political Science at the College of Holy Cross.

Northwest Catholic High School student (residing in Avon), Aidan Mahoney (right); Donald and Wendy Mahoney. Courtesy photo

Jessica DiTommaso is the winner of the Good Citizens Award for Farmington High School. She is the daughter of Linda and Paul DiTommaso. Jessica is active in a variety of areas at school, including the Student Council, the Philosophy and Book Clubs and the Choir. Jessica is also an active athlete, playing soccer and basketball. She also volunteers as a tutor to other students; both in her school and at other schools in town. Not surprisingly, she plans to be a teacher and will probably attend UConn.

Newington High School chose Vidhisha Thakkar for the Good Citizen Award this year. Vidhisha is the daughter of Ashok and Sangita Thakkar. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Debating Club and outside of school is an intern at a law office. She will be studying business at UConn next year and is planning to go to law school afterward.

Michael Vignone received the Good Citizens Award for Berlin High School. He is the son of Lisa Vignone. Michael, who has been President of the Class of 2022 for four years, is an active and busy student. His interest in the importance of the study of conservation led him to establish the Coral Conservation Society and the Horticulture Club. Michael is an active gardener at school and home and plans to major in Horticulture at Penn State next year.

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