By Bonnie Briscoe/Gila Valley DAR
GRAHAM COUNTY – This fall, the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Gila Valley Chapter offered scholarships, at four different values ($600, $500, $400, and $300) to local high school students dual enrolled at Eastern Arizona College. These students needed to be currently taking general education classes without financial assistance from the school district.
To apply for the scholarships, each student had to submit a patriotic essay based on the required topic: The U.S. Constitution was established to form a more perfect union. How has your community or school contributed to promoting a more perfect union? This topic was written by DAR chapter member, Cindy Clonts. The reason for choosing an essay is to allow the students to express their thoughts, regardless of how others feel.
Of the 12 essays submitted at the end of August, the judges chose the top winners. There were three students from Thatcher High School, which included Joseph Bull, Ranan Rubalcava, and Savanna Kartchner, and one from Mount Graham High School, Lonnie Cowen.
During the DAR Constitution Week program in September, Joseph Bull read his essay to an audience of 67 attendees. Due to previous commitments, the other students were not able to attend.
Below are highlights from the four essays, in their own words, regarding how a more perfect union has been promoted in their community and school.
Joseph J Bull 4th
School: Thatcher High School Senior
Parents: Heather and Joseph Bull of Thatcher
Excerpt from essay:
“Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in promoting unity and civic engagement. Clubs like the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) provide platforms for students to develop leadership skills, engage in service, and promote ethical behavior. One impactful project organized by my school is the annual Diaper Drive. This student-led activity collects diapers for local families facing hardship. Participants work together to gather donations and raise awareness about the challenges families face. This project not only provides crucial support but also strengthens the sense of community by bringing people together for a common cause.
School initiatives aimed at combating bullying are crucial in creating a unified, supportive, and respectful student society. It emphasizes empathy, respect, the importance of standing against bad behavior and helps foster a culture of kindness, and reflects our strength as a unified group.
By continuing to support and engage in meaningful activities, we honor the sacrifices of our founders and strive toward a more united and equitable nation. I hope that these efforts will inspire others to join in the pursuit of a more perfect union, ensuring that our democracy remains vibrant and resilient for generations to come.”
Ranan Drew Rubalcava
School: Thatcher High School Junior
Parents: Cassie and Drew Rubalcava of Thatcher
Excerpt from essay:
“One of the main ways my school supports a more perfect union is by teaching students about their roles as citizens, which helps us understand our rights and responsibilities. In my school and previous schools, I have been involved in mock elections, debates, and student government, giving me and other students a chance to practice what we have learned and understand how our voices can make a difference in shaping our country’s future.
Service to others is another key way my school contributes to the idea of a more perfect union. The Constitution talks about promoting the general welfare, which means looking out for the well-being of everyone. My school takes this seriously by encouraging students to participate in community service projects. Whether it is organizing school functions or helping with environmental clean-ups, these activities teach us the importance of helping others and working together for the common good. By serving our community, we learn how our actions can make a positive impact, and we help to create a more caring and connected society.
I have had the privilege to live in numerous towns/states and have attended numerous schools. In all of them, they promoted America, Constitutional rights, and patriotism to varying degrees. Other countries do not promote these things. It makes me grateful and excited for the future and current state of the country we live in. As the son of a Veteran in the United States Air Force, America holds a special place in my heart.”
Savanna Kartchner
School: Thatcher High School Junior
Parents: Britni and Derek Kartchner of Central
Excerpt from essay:
“Our country is built on the idea of “We, the people”, reminding us that though the government is to serve the people, it is up to us to live the ideals that our ancestors fought so hard for. To promote a more perfect union, individuals and families must incorporate our constitutional beliefs into our communities daily. This means providing help to everyone, no matter who they are, taking measures to ensure future safety, and encouraging those around us to seek for a good life.
A few years back during track practice, a girl passed out and though the hospital found a heart problem, she passed away before she could get the necessary help. Since then, Thatcher High School and Middle School have taken the initiative to start a program teaching CPR and the proper use of an AED. Each year, one day is set aside for this important event, and volunteers from around the community come to teach all the students these essential medical skills. As a result, a group of middle school students were able to save the life of their coach when he had a heart problem during practice. This health education program perfectly personifies the ideal of providing common defense and unifies the students to keep people safe.
Four years ago, three teenage boys passed away in a devastating car crash. It no longer mattered that the three boys were all from different schools, every person in the community grieved their losses. As a show of support, colored ribbons for each boy were tied everywhere around the Gila Valley. There was a definite feeling of unity in our community. There are friendly competitions between schools and other programs, but when it comes to crisis, we can love and respect each other.”
Lonnie Cowen
School: Mount Graham High School Junior
Parents: Cherie and Lon Cowen of Safford
Excerpt from essay:
“One way, in which my school promotes a “more perfect union” is by making sure everyone has a voice in a situation. My school works in the First Amendment by listening to both students’ sides and making a fair assessment of the situation. Through the Site Council, administrators take student opinions and talk about them to make the school better.
The second way is making sure that in school clubs there are elections and voting. According to Whitehouse.gov, “One of the most important rights of American citizens is the franchise – the right to vote.” The reason this fact is important is that members of society get to choose who they want to represent. The clubs at my high school also have this system. For instance, in Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), any student can fill out applications to run for office.
The third way my school promotes a more perfect union is by being a melting pot of people from various backgrounds and experiences. According to americanhistory.si.edu, “Melting Pot is a term used to describe Americanization in which immigrants adopt the American culture and abandon culture from their home country.” MGHS incorporates this idea by having students from different schools, or even different states, come together in one school. The way the school helps make the melting pot work is by making sure everyone feels equal, which is done by making sure everybody gets help or resources no matter where they are from.”
