CASSOPOLIS — Capt. Samuel Felt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Dec. 13 at Cass District Library honored six of the seven “Good Citizen” seniors selected from area high schools.

One sign that winter weather wiped out school was the absence of the entertainment, the Marcellus High School jazz band.

Nicole Carpp of Lawrence High School was unable to make it.

“The school chooses one of its best and gives us, the DAR, the privilege of honoring them,” said Sarah Essex, program chair and a guidance counselor at Brandywine High School.

Brandywine’s Taylor Mettiford performed in the production of “Sound of Music,” is a member of drum line, plays on the varsity tennis team and was a member of history club and science club, which won the Rube Goldberg state championship last year.

Taylor belongs to both National Honor Society (NHS) and Spanish Honor Society. She volunteered at Four Flags Area Apple Festival as a junior associate member and for the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life.

Taylor plans on attending Grand Valley State University next fall to study nursing.

“My goal,” she said, “is to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in pediatric oncology.”

Jeremiah Lee, of Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School, works for the school taking care of the grounds.

He showed pigs and sheep at the Cass County Fair and took a veterinary science class to further his interest in animals.

“After high school I plan on attending (Southwestern Michigan College) for two years, then transfer to Michigan State for vet tech,” Jeremiah said.

Decatur High School sent Chelsea Wales, who has been active in student council, peer mediation and NHS. Extra-curricular activities include volleyball and track. Outside school, Chelsea participates in 4-H and dance.

“Just a few of my projects include coaching elementary basketball, putting on a tractor show for Decatur Days and backpacking for youth. My future plans are to attend SMC, where I will be studying pre-physical therapy, then transferring to Central Michigan University to receive my bachelor’s and doctorate of physical therapy. After finishing college, I hope to fulfill my dream of working as a PT with local schools and athletes.”

Erin Stanton, representing Dowagiac Union High School, was accompanied by her parents, Mike and Melissa Stanton, and guidance counselor, Kristin Dockerty.

She has played basketball, volleyball, softball and run cross country.

Erin, NHS vice president and student council treasurer, last year served as vice president of Business Club before budget cuts eliminated it.

Erin divides her day in an SMC academy through Lewis Cass Intermediate School District.

“I’m going to learn about health careers and be given an opportunity to do a job shadowing as a nurse next semester,” Erin said. “Outside of school, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family. I also volunteer each summer at my church’s youth camp and Bible school. I volunteer also for the middle school and the high school. As a job, I work for the athletic department at Dowagiac High School. I keep the book for basketball and volleyball games and keep the time for track meets.”

Next year Erin will be attending Liberty University in Virginia to major in nursing and “hopefully, I will be in the Air Force ROTC program.”

Emily Kozinski of Edwardsburg High School is a four-year varsity award winner for volleyball, basketball and track.

She’s been a captain for two years for volleyball and basketball.

“I’m involved with SADD and also NHS,” Emily said. “I’m been a server at church for the past nine years. I also work at Notre Dame, serving food to the priests. I don’t know where I’m going to attend yet — I have some options — but I’d like to become a special education teacher.”

Timothy Fair of Marcellus High School attends SMC’s business academy half the day.

“I tutor in high school,” Timothy said, “and been a three-season athlete for all four years of high school in varsity soccer, basketball and baseball. I’ve been captain of each of those teams at different times. I’ve been an officer of my class for three years and serve the community through my church in Granger, Ind. We feed children on the second Saturday of every month. I participate in those often. I’ve been in 4-H for over 10 years, showing multiple animals each of those years.”

Timothy wants to continue playing soccer in college while pursuing a business career.

“I’m not certain of my location in college yet, but I’m certain I will be there — and I plan on succeeding.”

Essex said DAR criteria for Good Citizens include dependability, service, leadership and patriotism “to an outstanding degree. This distinct honor adds to their college resume, helps with college admission and in job interviews. Our chapter gives the students and their schools publicity and the community learns that there are excellent young people in Michigan — not just the ones who make bad choices.”

The DAR recommends that the faculty choose three seniors who have demonstrated the desired qualities. From these three, the senior class selects one. However, each school is free to utilize its own selection method.

The selected senior then must obtain two letters of recommendation, a transcript, create an outline of information about themselves and their experiences.

Candidates also must write a timed two-hour essay without assistance or use of reference materials.

All information is submitted to three judges who do not belong to DAR.

They must pick one student’s essay to advance to further state-level competition.

“One judge told me that regardless who’s essay is selected,” Essex said, “all of these young people will make our world a better place. Another judge said if the judging gets much more difficult, ‘I may have to resign because they all deserve to win and be recognized.’ ”