The regular meeting of the Susannah French Putney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was held on Feb. 21, in El Dorado, at the Butler County Historical Society.
The annual “Tea” and luncheon was held to Celebrate the Chapter’s American History Essay Winners and Good Citizens Award. Members Nita Whiteman and Patty Goedecke introduced each American History Essay Contest winners and presented them with their prizes.
Denver McCormick, a 10th grader from Remington High School, read her essay titled, “Patriots of the American Revolution.” The essay shared information about Hercules Mulligan and his patriotic work as a spy with the Sons of Liberty.
D. McCormick was presented with a Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Medal, a chapter winner certificate and a cash gift.
D. McCormick’s essay is now eligible for state competition. She will be invited, along with other chapter winners, to read an excerpt of her essay at the state convention in April. Following that, a state winner will be chosen.
D. McCorkmick’s parents, Megan and Andy Mc-Cormick, shared the afternoon with their daughter.
Lilly Gregory was the 8th grade winner and she was not able to attend. She is a student at Circle Middle School. Her essay was titled “Enjoying a New Kind of Tea Party.” Her parents are Renee and Jeremy Driskell and Lonny Gregory.
Both D. McCormick and L. Gregory are students of Hillary Raple, who also attended the tea, and was recognized for supporting and encouraging her students to participate in the essay contests.
Member Janet Green introduced Kimber Ptacek who is a senior at Eureka Junior/Senior High School.
Ptacek won the Susannah French Putney Chapter Good Citizens Award. She read her winning essay titled “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.”
In the essay, Ptacek discussed the importance of public service and the fact that it helps to foster a strong sense of community and strengthen our American identity.
Ptacek is a very busy young woman. She has a job with the Eureka Recreation Commission. She has worked for USD389 as a janitor in the summer. She is a student athlete; a member of student clubs and lends a helping hand to a neighbor in need.
Ptacek is planning to attend Oklahoma State University and intends to pursue a degree in Chemistry and pre-Pharmacy. After completing an undergraduate degree, she will pursue obtaining a doctorate in Pharmacy.
Ptacek was presented with a tassel rope to wear with her graduation gown, a pin, a chapter winner certificate and a cash gift.
Ptacek’s parents, Tabitha and Brendan Ptacek, attended the tea with their daughter.
The Chapter is very proud of these young ladies and their interest in history and government.
SFP Members present: Teresa Bachman, Sue Ann Brown, Kay Catlin, Carla Cook, Sigrid Denchfield, Goedecke, Green, Jean Groendes, Sharon McClure, Martha Riedl, Whiteman and Ann Wimberly.
The group also met in Eureka on March 21, at the United Methodist Church for lunch at 1 p.m., followed by a tour of the Eureka Library and a meeting. See related article.
(Courtesy photo)
