Schools recognize Good Citizens with DAR award

Joshua Forsyth Area schools recently selected their Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award recipients for the Class of 2010.

Students were selected based on the qualities of dependability, leadership, service and patriotism.

The honorees are Joshua Forsyth, Chesaning; Abby Stark, Montrose; Abigail Seamon, New Lothrop; Sarah Sweatland, St. Charles; and Ashley Wachowicz, St. Charles. Because of a tie, St. Charles selected two DAR honorees; Wachowicz was selected to represent the school at the recognition program.

CHESANING – Joshua Forsyth

Staff at Chesaning Union High School nominated Audra Hartges, Shelby Hemker and Josh Forsyth as candidates for the DAR Good Citizen award; senior classmates voted and selected Forsyth as the recipient.

Forsyth, the 18-year-old son of Dr. Douglas and Brenda Forsyth of Chesaning, demonstrates the quality of service through his church and the National Honor Society (NHS). Forsyth has volunteered at Hartley Outdoor Education Camp as counselor, the Chesaning Candlewalk, high school blood drive, Santa’s Helpers, and as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The senior has volunteered for 25 hours of community service for each of his two years in NHS, where he currently serves as treasurer.

Abby Stark Award coordinator Wanda Kensrud said the 18-year-old demonstrates his dependable leadership through NHS and sports.

Forsyth has played on the gridiron since his freshmen year, earning two iron man awards, three varsity letters and the Charlie Hustle. Last season, he received an All- Conference Honorable Mention.

Forsyth has also played basketball for four years, earning a varsity letter, and track for two years, earning the Most Improved award and a varsity letter.

Abigail Seamon “I pride myself in being dependable and always doing what is asked of me,” he said. “Being the oldest of four boys, leadership and responsibility have always came naturally to me. I feel very fortunate to be a citizen of this great country and I try to give back in any way I can.”

Forsyth holds a 4.0 grade point average and has also been honored as student of the month. He has also been selected for the Michigan State University Outstanding Junior Award, Saginaw County Youth Leadership Representative and Student Rotarian.

The senior has also been involved in student council, including as a committee chairman; peer mediation; Junior State of America; journalism and yearbook.

Forsyth plans to attend the University of Michigan or Albion College to pursue a degree in the medical field.

MONTROSE – Abby Stark

Sarah Sweatland “I regularly give up ‘self’ time to be available to be depended on to lead and serve [my communities of faith, school and city] as needed,” said 17-year-old Montrose DAR Good Citizen Abby Stark.

Stark was selected from 17 other nominated classmates for as the representative.

Stark, the daughter of Michael and Kim Stark of Montrose, has volunteered through her church praise team and children’s outreach program, as well as assisting local and national charities through fundraising.

The senior has been involved in the drama club and student government at Montrose Hill-McCloy High School. She also enjoys crafting, scrapbooking, camping, hiking and reading.

Stark has also been awarded the American Legion Good Citizen Award and a science award. Maintaining a 3.75 grade point average, she is a member of NHS and has been on the honor roll.

Ashley Wachowicz After graduation, Stark plans to attend Michigan Technological University to study chemical/bio-medical engineering.

“I was honored that, out of a class of over 120 students, I had proven to the staff that I displayed the characteristics the DAR committee was searching for,” she said.

NEW LOTHROP – Abigail Seamon

“Dependability, service leadership and patriotism…are four qualities that I have attained without even realizing it,” said New Lothrop DAR Good Citizen Abigail Seamon. “I am blessed to be part of a family and community that expects these four traits and helps young people achieve them every day.”

Seamon is the 17-year-old daughter of Carl and Sherry Seamon, of New Lothrop. The senior plans to continue to be a part of the community by studying elementary education.

“I hope to become an inspirational elementary teacher that can make a difference for children in much the same way that the teachers I have had at New Lothrop Schools have done for me,” she said.

Seamon has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and earned her academic letter in 2007. Her extracurricular activities include the ROCK youth group at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Shiawassee County Youth Advisory Council (YAC), the Shiawassee County Fair as an exhibitor, student council, quiz bowl and NHS. A state finalist and award winner for New Lothrop’s Future Farmer’s of America, she has also held several leadership positions with the organization.

Seamon has also been involved in cross-country— earning a letter, Team Spirit and Most Improved—and powder puff.

The senior has volunteered through the YAC Stuff the Bus and Mobile Food Pantry, as well as breakfast with Santa. Seamon has also helped in elementary classrooms and served as a New Lothrop Village Flower Coordinator.

Seamon also enjoys reading, traveling, swimming and spending time with family and friends.

ST. CHARLES – Sarah Sweatland

St. Charles DAR Good Citizen Sarah Sweatland plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to become a high school teacher in math or history.

The senior has been involved in Link Crew, a freshmen transition program, and NHS. She has also volunteered with the high school wrestling program, Special Olympics and the St. Charles Haunted House Holiday Haunt.

Sweatland, the 18-year-old daughter of Douglas and Michelle Sweatland of St. Charles, has maintained a 3.9 grade point average. She has received academic recognition and high honors for her grades. The senior was also part of the first place team in the Tri-Valley Conference competition for digital image for their video on students’ hobbies.

Sweatland also enjoys scrapbooking, photography, music and reading.

The 18-year-old said she demonstrates the four qualities of a DAR Good Citizen through her commitment to Link Crew, volunteer work, leadership in school and NHS, and support for the U.S. troops.

ST. CHARLES – Ashley

Wachowicz

Seventeen-year-old Ashley Wachowicz demonstrates leadership through her roles in several groups and demonstrates service through a variety of volunteer experiences.

The daughter of Jeffery and Wendy Wachowicz, she has held leadership roles in volleyball, basketball and softball, as well as serving as the student council president.

Wachowicz has volunteered for Toys For Tots, Make A Difference Day, Special Olympics, blood drives, Breakfast with Santa and Relay for Life. She has also tutored softball and served on the PA 226 Committee.

In athletics, Wachowicz has participated in volleyball, basketball, softball and track. In 2009, she received All-State, All-District, All- Area and All-Conference recognition in softball, where she was also the leader in RBIs and extra base hits. She also received the All American Scholar Athlete award in softball. On the hardcourt, she was recognized with the Coach’s Award on varsity and Most Valuable Player on junior varsity. The senior has also received an All-Conference Honorable Mention in volleyball.

Wachowicz has maintained a 3.9 grade point average. She was a member of the Baker College Competitive Olympics championship team and has earned her academic letter.

After graduation, Wachowicz plans to study pharmacy at Ferris State University as an honor student.