Courtesy photo
Craig Valley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual Christmas luncheon and awards ceremony Dec. 10 at the Old Brick Hotel in New Castle. Bountiful food and seasonal decorations by New Castle Garden Club made for a festive event.
The highlight of the event was the recognition of two deserving Craig County High School seniors. The DAR Good Citizen award was presented to Hannah Ratliff, an athlete in multiple sports, past district champion in cross country and demonstrated leader and volunteer. Ratliff plans to attend Virginia Western Community College through the CCAP program and then transfer to Radford University to pursue degrees in nursing and child psychology. She was accompanied by her parents, Brandon and Chris Ratliff, her sister Tiffany, and grandparents, Jerry and Rhonda Lipes and Eugene and Terry Ratliff.
This award is given annually by chapters across the country to high school seniors who exhibit traits of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. The selection was made by school faculty led by Meagan Dowdy, a guidance counselor. Stacey Crowder, who taught Ratliff in both middle and high school, represented the faculty and Dowdy at the luncheon.
For the first time, Craig Valley Chapter presented the DAR Youth Citizenship Medal, which recognizes high school students who display characteristics of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism. The recipient was Skyler Rodrigues, who has had an exemplary high school career while volunteering in multiple organizations. He plans to attend Virginia Western Community College in the fall. Rodrigues’s grandmother is Mary Page Cosby, also in attendance. She is a charter member of Craig Valley Chapter and past chair of the Good Citizen Committee.
The luncheon concluded with a celebration of the chapter’s 15 anniversary. While slices of birthday cake were enjoyed, guests and members read from 25 birthday cards each listing the service projects of a particular year. With current membership at 31, the chapter continues to grow with Craig Valley Daughters who wish to honor and preserve their family history.
DAR is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Membership is open to any woman, 18 years of age or older, who can document her lineage to an ancestor who aided the cause of American independence in the 1770’s. Resources are available to help prospective members through the application process.
For more information, visit www.dar.org or contact Craig Valley officers Tina Crawford at 540-864-6216 or Margaret Hines at 540-864-8447.
-Submitted by Craig Valley, NSDAR
