Youth Programs

In the DAR, we not only honor our ancestors service to America – we also ‘pass it forward’ by ensuring that our current youth are informed and engaged with our proud Revolutionary War history and with the type of patriotism and service to America it inspires.

Our Signal Hill chapter follows the lead of our National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution by annually engaging the young people of the community in two programs:

• The American History Essay Contest (grades 5-8) 
• The DAR Good Citizenship Award and Scholarship Contest (High School Seniors) 

And children who are descendants of a person who served our country in the American Revolution are qualified to join the Children of the American Revolution – a junior lineage society affiliated with the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. 

“The American History Essay Contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation's great history and learn about history in a new light.”  

Each year our national society provides a theme and our chapter works with local schools (public and parochial) covering grades 5-8.  Members of our chapter serve as judges, evaluating each essay for content, historical accuracy and writing skills.  The winning essays from our chapter are then sent to District and State level contests.  

“The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship.

This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. These students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.”

Receiving the Good Citizen Award qualifies the student “to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay. Student participation in the scholarship portion of the program is optional.”

While our youth programs are open to all eligible children (regardless of citizenship or lineage) the Children of the American Revolution (CAR) eligibility is available for "Any boy or girl under the age of twenty-two is eligible for membership in the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution who is lineally descended from a man or woman who, with unfailing loyalty, rendered material aid to the cause of American Independence as a soldier, sailor, civil officer, or recognized patriot in one of the several Colonies or States, or of the United States, provided that the applicant is personally acceptable to the Society." (Article III, National Bylaws).”

Thus, children whose parents take pride in their ancestor’s achievements, and more importantly, provide service to America themselves as part of their DAR (or SAR) membership, can add their children to this proud tradition, and ensure that the next generation is well educated in American history and patriotism.

Information about joining CAR is HERE. There are local chapters in Arlington Heights, Glen Ellyn, Libertyville and Woodstock as well as many others throughout the state.

Barrington, IL-based Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, announced the winners of the 2021-2022 American History Essay Contest at its “Youth Awards” virtual ceremony on Sunday, February 20, 2022. Organizer of this year’s contest was Lisa Davis, Chapter Historian. Kudos to the students – the fifty-five 5th through 8th graders – whose essays were written, submitted, and judged.  

Since November 11, 2021, marked the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, students who participated in the contest were asked to “Imagine that they had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. As they and their family attended the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C., they are asked to describe what this meant to them and their family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation?” 

First place American History Essay Contest winners are:

• Ava Goetze, 5th grade, Roslyn Road Elementary, District 220. Ava was also awarded first place in the DAR District IV and Illinois State competitions for her age group.  
• Andrew Velleuer, 7th grade, Home Schooled
• Kalyani Manjunadh, 8th grade, Barrington Middle School, District 220 

 “We are grateful to the parents, teachers, and judges within Barrington District 220 who support the students and encourage them to participate in this annual contest,” said Joyce Wright, Regent of the Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR. “Our chapter is delighted to provide this opportunity to grade school students to learn and write about our nation’s early history and be recognized for their efforts.”  

Chapter Historian Lisa Davis adds, “For the first time in the history of our contest we had home-schooled students participate. We want to communicate that all students, 5th through 8th grades, are welcome to participate.” 

The Barrington-based Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, has awarded Abigail Bergan, a senior from Barrington High School, its 2021-2022 Good Citizen Award. Abigail competed in the Chapter’s essay contest and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her winning essay on, “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It – How do qualities of a good citizen {i.e., dependability, service, leadership and patriotism) help support our nation?” 

Abigail has maintained a 4.59 GPA at Barrington High School while taking 14 Advance Placement classes and is in the top 5 percent of her graduating class. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society.  She also is a Congressional Award Silver Medal Recipient, the highest honor Congress awards to students who achieve in public service, fitness, personal development, and exploration.  She is captain of the regional club rowing team.  She was also the only student appointed to the District 220 Equity Team.