CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire State Organization Daughters of the American Revolution recognized several award winners at the 117th State Conference on April 7 and April 8 at in Concord, New Hampshire.
State Regent Wendy Stanley Jones of Greenland presided over the two-day conference. Honored guest was Massachusetts State Regent Holly Stone Hawkins Blair.
Several students from across New Hampshire were recognized for their winning essays. Gianna Arzilli (sponsored by the Molly Stark Chapter in Manchester), Joshua Ma (sponsored by the Matthew Thornton Chapter in Nashua), Constance Mulligan, and Jenna Lynch (both sponsored by the Anna Keyes Powers Chapter in Hollis) were presented with the American History Essay Awards. Lynch was also the Northeast Division Winner. Haley Donovan was presented as the Christopher Columbus Essay Winner for the State of New Hampshire and was sponsored by the Else Cilley Chapter in Nottingham.
Erin Jackson of Derry was named the 2018 Outstanding Junior. Jackson joined the DAR at 18 years old and is now a 5-year member of the Molly Stark Chapter in Manchester, where she holds the chapter Librarian position. Jackson is also the New Hampshire State C.A.R. chairman and the Northeast Division C.A.R. Vice Chairman.
Jackson attended the Derryfield School in Manchester and was recently graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a degree in Art. She is a life member of the Children of the American Revolution and the first-ever National President from the state of New Hampshire. Her national project, “The Road to Independence,” helped restore George Washington’s marquis tent, and raised over $100,000 for the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.
NSDAR Scholarship Committee Chairman Laura McCrillis Kessler of Newport presented two New Hampshire DAR Scholarships. The first went to Kylie Braunius of Nashua High School North. Braunius is the daughter of David and Connie Braunius of Nashua and was sponsored by the Matthew Thornton Chapter. The second scholarship went to Sydney Crete from ConVal High School. Crete is the daughter of Louise Gryval and Richard Crete of Greenfield and was sponsored by the Mary Varnum Platts Peterborough Chapter in Rindge. Funds for these scholarships were raised through State Regent Jones’ project, Investing in Independence.
State Chairman Pamela Lee of West Lebanon presented several awards on behalf of the DAR Service to Veterans Committee. The Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award was presented to Peter Lovely of Newport. Lovely was recognized for providing 50-plus years of support of veterans through the American Legion Post No. 25 in Newport. Lovely’s nomination was sponsored by the Reprisal Chapter of Newport and was selected as a Northeast Division winner.
The Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award was presented to Sylvie Alexander of Norwich, Vermont. Alexander was recognized for her work with Ice Vets Adaptive Sports Inc., or “Ice Vets” in West Lebanon. The mission is to provide adaptive sports opportunities to disabled veterans. Alexander’s nomination was sponsored by the Reprisal Chapter of Newport and was selected as a Northeast Division winner as well.
Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans Award was presented to Lori Lynn Fenton Paige of Keene. A US Army Veteran, Paige is a founding member of Ruck-Up, Inc., that provides support and counseling for local veterans. Paige was sponsored by the Molly Stark Chapter.
The Junior American Citizen Awards were presented to Sophie Morrow, Nicholas Morrow, Abby Herrick and Emilie Butenas.
Volunteer Genealogist Committee State Chairman Jackie Marshall of Amherst presented the Outstanding Volunteer Genealogist Award to Verne Greene of Keene. Greene has been a powerhouse of revitalization for the Reprisal Chapter and the State Society with credit for 40 new DAR memberships. Greene has proven four new patriots and 13 new children of patriots, thereby expanding new lines of membership for future Daughters.
Commemorative Events Chairman Tylene Jousse of Portsmouth presented the Outstanding State DAR member award to Rochester resident Patricia Holt. Holt, a member of the Margery Sullivan Chapter in Dover, was recognized by the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration for outstanding accomplishments by an individual DAR member in her efforts to honor and thank Vietnam Veterans. Holt is an active member of the Fallen Heroes Moving Wall DAR committee. The Moving Wall honors 228 New Hampshire servicemen and women who lost their lives in Vietnam and is on display throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. Holt helped to build the nine-panel wall and travels with it while on display.
For more information about DAR, visit http://nhsodar.org or http://dar.org.
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