MIDLAND, Mich. — Ten high school seniors from across the region were recognized this month as 2025 Good Citizens by the John Alden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, celebrating their leadership, service and civic character during a ceremony at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Each student selected as their school’s Good Citizen demonstrated dependability, service, leadership and patriotism — the four core values emphasized by DAR. Honorees received a special DAR pin and certificate during the event.
Students chosen at the school level are also eligible to compete in the DAR Good Citizens Essay Contest, which offers scholarship opportunities at the state, district and national levels.
Angelina Chen of Dow High School was named the John Alden Chapter winner and will advance to the DAR of Michigan competition. Chen, the daughter of Xiaoguang Wang and Shawn Chen, received a cash award along with a special State of Michigan tribute signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Sen. Roger Hauck and Rep. Bill G. Schuette.
Other students honored as Good Citizens include:
- Hope Van Tiem, Beaverton High School, daughter of Heather VanTiem and Scott McKenna
- Miraya Hunter, Bullock Creek High School, daughter of Stacey Hunter and Lee Hunter
- Gracie Hutton, Calvary Baptist Academy, daughter of Laura Hutton and Evan Hutton
- Jocelyn Balliet, Coleman High School, daughter of Amie Zylman and Jason Balliet
- Brielle Coffey, Freeland High School, daughter of Krista Bedford and Matt Bedford
- Audrey Schmidt, Gladwin High School, daughter of Melissa Schmidt and Ryan Schmidt
- Payten Coggins, Meridian Early College High School, daughter of Chantel Coggins and Anthony Coggins
- Jazlyn Steins, Midland High School, daughter of Fabiola Litherland and Keith Litherland
- Carrie Cutshall, Windover High School, daughter of Michelle Cutshall and Benjamin Cutshall
The ceremony featured guest speaker Christopher Corbat, a Midland Police officer and the 2025 Police Officer of the Year. Corbat spoke about the significance of the four core values embodied by the Good Citizens award:
- Dependability: Being present for others.
- Service: A driving force behind his work in law enforcement and coaching.
- Leadership: Setting a positive example and “walking the walk.”
- Patriotism: Small gestures that strengthen a community.
Corbat encouraged the students to continue their efforts, telling them they represent “the best that we have to offer our communities.”
This year’s essay prompt asked students to reflect on how the qualities of a good citizen can strengthen American democracy ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
In her winning essay, Chen wrote that the fabric of the nation is woven from the contributions of all its citizens, histories and values. She described dependability as the “backbone” of democracy, service as the countless acts that uphold freedom, leadership as lifting others to reach their potential, and patriotism as loving the country enough to work for its growth. As the child of immigrants, she emphasized how precious democracy is and how these values keep the nation “strong, vibrant and uniquely ours.”
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization focused on historical preservation, education and patriotism, with members tracing their ancestry to individuals who supported the American Revolution.
For more information, email jaldenregent@yahoo.com or visit the John Alden Chapter DAR on Facebook.
