Contributed Article By Bonnie Briscoe/DAR
GRAHAM AND GREENLEE COUNTIES – In May, the Gila Valley Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the 2026 DAR Good Citizen Award at honor assemblies at high schools in Graham and Greenlee Counties. One student was chosen from each senior class for demonstrating exceptional dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. The process for making the selection varied with each school but included school administrators, teachers, counselors, and students from the senior class. The following are the honored good citizens, their qualities, and involvement in activities for this award:
Leighton Colvin, an active member of the Morenci High School Student Council, played a key role in organizing and supporting the annual Red Cross Blood Drive, helping coordinate efforts that directly save lives. Through the National Honor Society, she participated in STEM Days, inspiring younger students and fostering a passion for learning in her community. She volunteered at the Clifton Community Garden, supporting sustainability efforts by planting agaves to help promote environmental conservation and awareness. She has also helped clean up the river and been part of the Drug Coalition. Through these organizations, she is grateful for the opportunity to give back to her school and community. Her above-average achievements in both academics and extracurricular activities are a direct reflection of her work ethic, leadership, and unwavering focus.
Leighton is the daughter of Jacqueline Colvin of Clifton.
Brendy Paz, from Duncan High School, has been involved with the National Honor Society, the GIFT classes in the Cosmetology program, FFA, SkillsUSA, FBLA, FCCLA, Youth Coalition, and Knowledge Bowl. She represented her school at the Arizona Association of Student Council leadership conference, helped with School Highway Clean-up and Wreaths Across America, and was a member of the volleyball, tennis, and basketball teams. And that is just with the high school.
Outside of school, she does yard work for local community members, helps with Empty-Nesters Thanksgiving Dinners and Veterans breakfasts, and serves as a guide at the local Giving Machines, which are involved with the EAC Dream Builder Program. She is a dedicated member of her church’s stake youth council and church class presidency.
Brendy has a positive attitude, is kind and considerate to everyone, and can quickly lend a helping hand when needed or when she sees a need. She is an exemplary student who fully applies herself in all that she does and takes her responsibilities seriously. She feels strongly about striving to make a difference by helping wherever she can. She loves serving people.
Brendy is the daughter of Brandy Paz of Duncan.
Diego Cardenas, from Mount Graham High School, Diego Cardenas stands out as a kind and compassionate individual who consistently helps those around him. His positive attitude and readiness help make a meaningful difference in the school’s daily life.
During his time working in the Early Childhood Education program with the daycare students, Diego demonstrated exceptional dedication and care. He engaged thoughtfully with the young children, showing patience and a genuine desire to support their learning and well-being. His contributions to this program were deeply valued by both staff and students.
In the classroom, Diego goes above and beyond to maintain a clean and organized learning environment, often volunteering to complete tasks without being asked. He is highly reliable in completing his work every day and proactive in seeking help when he needs clarification, reflecting his commitment to growth and responsibility. His work ethic is truly commendable.
Diego possesses a genuine sense of school spirit, whether he is taking the initiative to help clear trash to keep the campus clean or volunteering to assist with the logistics of lunch service; he is always the first to step up. He is observant, responsible, and cares deeply about the environment in which he learns and interacts with others. He understands that a community thrives when its members contribute, and he does so with a positive attitude appreciated by both staff and peers.
Diego has a wonderful sense of humor that makes everyone laugh, and he is a friend to all. He helps others at school to feel valued, involved, and respected for their viewpoints, ideas, perspectives, and experiences. His ability to connect with a diverse range of students and foster a welcoming atmosphere is a testament to his outstanding character. He is a role model for kindness, service, and integrity.
Diego is the son of Juan Cardenas and Andrea Peru of Safford.
Kycie Lackner, from Safford High School, is such a bright and amazing spirit; wise beyond her years; self-motivated; stays on track; takes responsibility for her own learning and improvement, and she doesn’t sidestep hard things but faces them. She is a creative problem solver; she approaches challenges with original ideas and has a strong work ethic with a commitment to excellence.
Kycie is strongly involved in a variety of activities with FFA and 4-H. She put together several events & activities for the younger members of 4-H; one of them was a session on how to show poultry for competition. She has judged livestock competitions, shown and sold cattle and poultry at the Graham County Fair, and works on her family’s two ranches.
She takes regular high school classes, is involved in the GIFT program, has a job outside of school, participates in many community service activities, and keeps up with her schoolwork.
Kycie is very friendly, respectful & supportive toward her peers and educators. She always steps up to help others and goes the extra mile to make sure everyone feels a part of things. When a family in the community held a mini-rodeo to help fund a child’s cancer treatments, Kycie was out there supporting the cause by working with little kids, teaching them how to rope. Wherever she goes, Kycie makes a positive impact. She is a well-rounded young lady.
Kycie is the daughter of Kyle and Kristen Lackner of Safford.
Lila Millar, from Thatcher High School, has a sincere love and compassion for others in her community and wants to make a difference by improving the lives of those around her. Lila does this effortlessly and sincerely, breathing life into her community of peers and teachers. She is a great friend to all and always goes the extra mile to show kindness to everyone. There was a report that she was seen chasing down a student to wish them a happy birthday!
At Knowledge Bowl Meets and other activities, she reaches out to others with kindness and goes out of her way to meet new people and make them feel welcome. She makes it a goal to know someone else’s name and to become their friend, not for any reason other than her natural desire to care about others.
One of the many best things about Lila is that the kindness and care for those around her is completely genuine. She truly sees other people and wants to know them, their story, and what is going on in their lives.
She always has a positive attitude, even when things are difficult. She loves to be involved and is not afraid to put herself out there and try new things. Being responsible and trustworthy, she works incredibly hard in all she does.
It is hard not to want to be a little better and a little bit kinder when you are in her presence. Lila makes Thatcher High School a better place.
Lila is the daughter of Justin and Wendy Millar of Thatcher.
Diesel Hughes, from Pima High School, is an incredible young man with a pleasant and appreciative manner. He has been the embodiment of good citizenship from a very young age. His examples of courteousness, cooperation, trustworthiness, and care for others have inspired his peers and all those who associate with him. He is a delight to be around, sharing his optimistic outlook and fun personality with all he comes in contact with. During his freshman and sophomore years, he participated in football and track, which helped him to build skills in teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
Outside of school, he has been deeply involved with the Governor’s Youth Commission, where he helped to encourage open conversations among young people, promote awareness of important issues affecting students, and help connect students with positive support systems and leadership opportunities.
He is also heavily involved with the Graham County Substance-Abuse Coalition, an organization that has had the biggest impact on him personally. Through this coalition, and grateful to be mentored by its founder, Kathy Grimes, he found his passion for helping young people make better choices, become more aware of the effects of substance abuse, and recognize the value of good mental health.
Diesel does not shy away from responsibility and has proven himself reliable in the many different tasks assigned to him. He looks to make a positive difference in any way that he can. He has a strong desire to make the world a better place and consistently attempts to do that through his words and actions. It is important to him to help others and to be involved in organizations that support both youth and the community. Through these experiences, he has learned the importance of leadership, responsibility, and encouraging others in positive ways. As one teacher noted, “He has made Pima High School a better place, and we are better for our association with him.”
Diesel is the son of Brian and Tenille Hughes of Pima.
Seth Londeree, from Fort Thomas High School, is a wonderful, bright, caring student. He works hard for all of his teachers. When he doesn’t understand something, he is willing to ask for help. Seth is a role model not only for younger siblings but also for his fellow classmates. He is the one whom teachers rely on for student help.
Seth likes being able to help when help is needed; he always volunteers. The school staff noticed that he has been the first one to volunteer almost every time with any sort of service opportunity and never complains, no matter how hard the job.
Seth was part of the school’s football and baseball teams for his 4 years in high school and enjoyed focusing on being a team player and helping his teammates. He was also part of the National Honor Society, where he helped people through the Society’s various projects. For two years, he was a member of the student body council and was credited with taking the initiative to follow through on projects the council undertook.
Outside of school, he has helped people move out of houses being sold and helped people move into other houses when they needed to. A few years back, he helped move fallen trees after a bad storm in Pima. He also helped his family when a fence needed to be built.
Personally, and most importantly to Seth, he feels a great deal of gratitude toward his mom for making him who he is today.
Seth is the son of Jennifer Adams of Fort Thomas.
