Monta Vista High School sophomore Sarah Chefka won the Daughters of the American Revolution Santa Clara Chapter's American History Christopher Columbus Essay Contest. She wrote an essay based on the subject, "How did the faith and courage of Christopher Columbus give to mankind a new world?" Ms. Chefka was honored at and read her winning essay to the DAR Santa Clara Chapter at its January meeting. Her proud mother, Rema Zarka, attended the event. Last year, the Christopher Columbus Essay Contest winner was also from Monta Vista. Congratulations, Sarah!
Congratulations to Wilcox High School senior Jasmine Nguyen Pham on earning the Daughters of the American Revolution Santa Clara Chapter Good Citizens Award. Jasmine is an honors student at Wilcox, as well as the President of the school Key Club. Jasmine's Key Club advisor said that she was impressed with Jasmine's level of maturity and she exemplifies incredible qualities of teamwork, leadership, and service to the school and to the community. Jasmine said, "A good citizen is simply one who is not only dependable, but displays selfless acts of leadership, service and patriotism toward their family, school, community and nation." Jasmine was accompanied to the awards luncheon with her proud mother, LeChi Pham, and her school counselor, Jan Yee.
The DAR sponsors three essay contests each Fall. Students in grades 5 - 8 are encouraged to enter the American History essay contest. Students in grades 9 - 12 may write for the Christopher Columbus Essay Contest. High school seniors may be nominated by their school to participate in the DAR Good Citizens program and Scholarship Contest, which encourages and rewards the qualities of good citizenship. Information about these programs was sent to K-12 schools in the Cupertino Union School District, Fremont Union High School District, and other Santa Clara Country schools.
