Your Chapter, NSDAR
Somewhere, CA

Contests and Awards

Most California DAR chapters offer the following:

 

DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal

The DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal is awarded to an individual or a group in recognition of their qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism, as demonstrated through service to the community. This prestigious award may be presented to emergency first responders, emergency medical responders, active duty military and veterans of the U.S. armed forces, and citizens, 18 years of age and older, who have contributed to the defense, security or freedom of their community, state or nation in an exceptional manner.  

DAR Youth Citizenship Medal

The DAR Youth Citizenship Medal was established to foster among school children a greater appreciation of the qualities of citizenship Americans must possess if our country is to remain sovereign and independent.

This medal is presented to a student (male or female) who exemplifies the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism.

  • The program is open to individuals in grades 5-11.

  • There may only be one medal awarded per grade per school.

  • The medal may also be awarded to youth service and patriotic organizations or their members.

DAR Good Citizens

The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship.

This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. These students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.

  • This program is only open to high-school seniors whose schools are accredited by their state board of education or a recognized accrediting organization such that a General Education Development (GED) test is not required to receive a high school diploma.

  • Only one student per year may be honored as a school's DAR Good Citizen.

  • United States citizenship is not required.

  • Additional rules and guidelines can be acquired by contacting your local DAR chapter.

Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen the student is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay. Student participation in the scholarship portion of the program is optional.

DAR Good Citizens who enter the scholarship contest are eligible for the awards beyond the chapter level. Each state winner receives an award in the amount of at least $500 and a special state DAR Good Citizens pin and certificate. Each of the eight (8) division (multi-state groups) winners will receive a cash award in the amount of $1,000. A national winner will be invited to Washington, DC to attend Continental Congress and will be awarded $10,000 scholarships, an inscribed silver bowl and a certificate.

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Medal

The DAR began awarding medals to ROTC students in 1967 in recognition of the ROTC as an important program that prepares trained officers for service in the armed forces.

ROTC Medals are awarded to student cadets of outstanding ability and achievement in high school, junior college, college, or university ROTC programs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Medal recipients are selected by the professors of military science and the principals of the school.

  • Recipients must have demonstrated loyalty and patriotism and earned a record of military and scholastic achievement during their participation in an ROTC program.

  • Students must be in the upper 25% of their classes in ROTC and in academic subjects.

  • They must have shown qualities of dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership ability, and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of ROTC training.

  • May be awarded to a male or female cadet. 

Gold ROTC Medal:
The Gold ROTC Medal is awarded to a college or university graduating senior being commissioned the U.S. Armed Fordes.

Bronze Junior JROTC (JROTC) Medal:
This medal is awarded to either a junior or senior student in a high school/secondary school JROTC program.

DAR Outstanding Cadet Medal

The DAR began awarding DAR Outstanding Cadet Medals in 2014 to recognize outstanding student cadets participating in non-ROTC, military-affiliated cadet programs funded by schools or privately. Eligible programs include, but are not limited to Naval Sea Cadet Corps; Civil Air Patrol; National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC); American Cadet Alliance (ACA); Young Marines; National Middle School Cadet Corps (NMSCC); U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps; Joint Military Cadets of America (JMCA); and United States Cadet Corps. The Silver medal recognizes a cadet that has distinguished him or herself through outstanding leadership, honor, service, courage, and patriotism.

American History Essay Contest

The American History Essay Contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation's great history and learn about history in a new light.

This contest is open to students in public, private, and parochial schools, and registered home-study programs. Students in grades five through eight are encouraged to participate. Each year, a selected topic for use during the academic year is announced, and contest instructions are published online and sent to schools by participating DAR chapters. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness.

Each student participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter and the chapter winners receive bronze medals and certificates. State winners receive certificates and silver medals. National winners receive special certificates, medals, and a monetary award.

Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the DAR has launched the "Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest.” This contest will focus on the men and women who figured in the events of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783), and it is hoped that students will find Patriots to write about who will interest and inspire them.

These Patriots may be one of our famous Founders, or an everyday man, woman, or child who supported the American Revolution in ways both large and small.  Students will be asked to discuss how their chosen Patriot contributed to the founding of the nation. Essays will be judged for historical accuracy, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the quality and scope of references, particularly the use of primary sources.

This contest is open to students in public, private, and parochial schools, and registered home-study programs, in grades 9 through 12. Essays from students from all grades will be judged together, with one winning essay chosen at each level. Each student participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter and the chapter winners receive a bronze medal and certificate set. State winners receive a silver medal and certificate set. Division level winners receive certificates and a book. National winners receive special certificates, medals, and a monetary award.

 

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution