CASSOPOLIS — Not only did Union High School senior Craig Zebell, Dowagiac’s DAR Good Citizen in December, write an essay about the responsibility of preserving the American heritage selected the best from seven surrounding high schools, but it advanced to one of the 10 best in Michigan.
Craig was notified Monday afternoon at Cass District Library by Brandywine teacher Sarah Essex of Capt. Samuel Felt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution that he will be honored later this month at Michigan State University.
“It gives me goosebumps to think that I will be able to see him up on the dais,” Regent Paula Johnson said.
“I have been waiting for this. It’s not a cakewalk, but he could go even further.”
Craig was accompanied by his mother, Claudia, a member of the Dowagiac Board of Education; sister, Anne; DUHS Principal Paul Hartsig; and guidance counselor Randy Luthringer.
Each DAR Good Citizen submitted two letters of recommendation with their essays and applications for evaluation by three non-DAR judges.
Mike Williams, Zebell’s soccer coach, said while scoring 33 goals with 30 assists senior year, “Craig is the most talented and unselfish soccer player that I have coached in 11 years. Not only has he had success on the soccer field, but in the classroom. Due to his academics, he has been named Academic All-State. He carries a 4.0 and will be our valedictorian on graduation day. I have also had the pleasure to teach Craig, and he has gone above and beyond what is expected in the classroom. He sets the standard of student excellence. Craig is the perfect example of a student-athlete and a person who is willing to go the extra mile to reach his goals.”
His second letter, from family friend Terry Mason, said, “I have worked with young people all my adult life, first as public school teacher and administrator and, later in life, as youth advocate for teen ministries in church work.
“Seldom have I worked with a young man as grounded as Craig. He has the rare makeup that allows him to remain humble and compassionate while presenting remarkable academic and athletic skills. He leads by example and by bringing out the best in others with assistance and encouragement.
“Craig is a very caring, teachable spirit with a keen sense of right and wrong while maintaining a love for others not often seen in today’s stand-up-for-yourself world. He is a fine young man.”