Two students from the Technical College High School Pickering Campus have demonstrated that good citizenship always pays dividends.

Full-time TCHS Pickering student Pablo Gonzalez received the Daughters of the American Revolution Chester County Chapter’s Good Citizen’s Award. Cassandra Tiburcio, a part-time TCHS Pickering student, also received the DAR Good Citizen’s Award for Great Valley High School.

“This award means a number of things to me, but the most important thing is that it makes me feel like I am taking the right steps into a better and brighter future,” said Gonzalez. “I’m proud, and I will continue to be the best citizen I can be over the coming years. I am honored to have received this scholarship.”

The DAR Good Citizen’s Award is a competition in which regional schools can nominate a student who exemplifies the traits of a good citizen. The students then provide information about their high school activities, volunteer participation, and a description of how they have exhibited the DAR qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.

The nominated students also write an essay of approximately 500 words, in two hours or less, with no reference materials. This year’s essay topic was, “How do the combined actions of many good citizens keep our nation moving forward?”

After the essay is completed, three judges read the essays, and evaluate the students’ overall grades, activities, and recommendations. A winner is then chosen from each of the competing schools to receive the award.

For Tiburcio, her nomination came as a surprise.

“I was humbled at the sound of the big news,” she said. “At the ceremony, I got to meet the other students and many admirable women. I felt so honored to be a part of this prestigious group, and I want to thank my family, teachers, and friends for helping me become who I am today.”

Both Gonzalez and Tiburcio had different focuses to their essays, which were influenced by the programs they are enrolled in at TCHS Pickering.

Gonzalez, who is in the Criminal Justice and Police Sciences program, focused his essay on the impact that small actions can have on a local community. As someone who aspires to serve and protect his community, Gonzalez believes that small gestures from law enforcement can go a long way in helping to bring together communities and solve problems.

Tiburcio, who is in the Teacher Leadership Academy program, wrote about her volunteer work as an English as a Second Language instructor. For Tiburcio, being a good citizen means helping all people in the community gain the tools they need to be successful.

“Pablo and Cassandra are both model students here at TCHS,” said TCHS Pickering principal Seth Schram. “I am so proud and thrilled that their accomplishments have been recognized. This is just one great example of the many positive things happening here at TCHS Pickering.”

For TCHS Pickering school counselor Lea Scott, this is just another validation of why she loves what she does.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of both Pablo and Cassandra,” she said. “Seeing them at the recognition ceremony just made me so proud. Seeing my students succeed really inspires me, and reminds me of why schools like TCHS Pickering are so important.”

This year, five schools participated in the local chapter competition. These schools included Delaware County Christian School, Great Valley High School, Overbrook School for the Blind, TCHS Pickering campus, and Upper Merion High School. The five winning students’ entries have been submitted for scholarship consideration. A winner will then be chosen to represent the state of Pennsylvania.