The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship.
The organization, which is marking its 125th anniversary this year, held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 7, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson.
Named “Good Citizens” were Sydney Ketterman, Fort Atkinson High School; Payton Schmidt, Jefferson High School; Kaitlyn Brodzik, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Cooper Murphy, Lake Mills High School; Perry Thompson, Cambridge High School; and Ghati Binagi, Whitewater High School.
“NSDAR (The National Society DAR) began recognizing Good Citizens in 1934; perhaps a great-great-great-grandparent of yours was so honored,” chapter Regent Nancy Olson said in welcoming attendees. “The first school our chapter honored was Fort Atkinson. Our chapter now recognizes seven schools with over 90 students being selected.”
She noted that no scholarships were awarded in those early days. Today, one is given to the chapter’s essay winner.
“More important, I think, are the qualities of dependability, service and patriotism, values that stay with you the rest of your lives,” Olson said.
Registrar Jessica Punzel led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing. Each student introduced him/herself and his/her guests and was presented a certificate of recognition by DAR members Jane Fary and Pat Ogren.
Sydney Ketterman
Sydney Ketterman, of Fort Atkinson High School, is the daughter of Brett and Martha Ketterman.
As the chapter’s Good Citizen winner, her essay on citizenship advances to compete at the state level. She read her work, titled “What Are the Civic Responsibilities of a Good Citizen and Why Are These Duties, Activities and Behaviors Important to the Shaping of the America You Hope to Experience?”
Ketterman has maintained an “A” grade point average during high school while taking Accelerated English, Advanced Placement Calculus and Advanced Placement Chemistry.
She is active in theater, forensics, National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Ketterman was named “Best Performer” in 2020, was dance captain and earned an “Inspire-a-Dream” Scholarship.
Outside of school, she teaches elementary schoolchildren basic dance at Main Street Dance Studio in Fort Atkinson, where she herself took lessons for 13 years. She also is choreographer for the Fourth Street Singers middle school show choir and has volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry and as a receptionist at the Dwight Foster Public Library.
Following graduation, Ketterman plans to major in elementary education with a dance minor. She is considering attending Northern Illinois University or the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Kaitlyn Brodzik
Kaitlyn Brodzik, of Palmyra-Eagle High School, is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Brodzik.
A laude honor student, she has a high grade point average and has earned an academic letter.
Among her achievements, Brodzik has served on Student Council for three years, has managed the school’s dance team, was a blood drive coordinator and is vice president of National Honor Society.
Brodzik also has served as a member of the school’s Math Team for three years, participates on the cheerleading squad, plays volleyball and was a member of the “Hope Squad.”
In addition, she volunteers at the Powers Memorial Library in Palmyra and has accumulated more than 400 community service hours during her high school years.
Brodzik plans to study business at UW-Madison.
Ghati Binagi
Ghati Binagi, of Whitewater High School, was unable to attend the Good Citizen reception. She was presented her certificate Friday, March 15, at the school.
The daughter of Mwita Binagi and Kristin Carpenter, she has maintained an “A” grade point average throughout high school; among her classes have been Honors English, Honors Biology, AP English and AP Human Geography.
Binagi also served on the school’s Student Council, the “Hope Squad” and as secretary and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.
She was a manager for the varsity basketball team and served in a peer mentoring program, using her study hall time to help other students with their classwork.
As a member of the Whitewater High School Players, Binagi served as a costume assistant. She is employed at McDonald’s Restaurant.
Binagi plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to major in communications with a minor in psychology.
About the award, DAR
Created in 1934, the Good Citizen award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.
Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay; participation is optional.
Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941.
Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.
