Ridgefield High School Senior Receives DAR Good Citizen Award From Cannon Ridge Chapter

RIDGEFIELD, CT — A Ridgefield High School senior has been named the 2025 recipient of the Good Citizen Award from the Cannon Ridge Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the chapter announced Friday.

Ella Rose Tiktin was selected by school administrators for demonstrating dependability, service, leadership and patriotism, according to the chapter. As part of the recognition, her essay has been submitted to the Connecticut State DAR Good Citizen Scholarship competition.

State winners receive a $500 award, divisional winners receive $1,000, and one national winner is awarded a $10,000 scholarship and invited to attend the organization’s Continental Congress in Washington, D.C., the chapter said.

Tiktin plans to study political science and public policy and is the founder of Ella’s Art for Saving Young Hearts, a nonprofit that supports children affected by violence. Through the sale of flower-themed notecards, she has raised more than $1,500 for children who lost parents in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, according to the release.

In her essay, Tiktin wrote about the role of American liberties in shaping her sense of civic responsibility and her desire to pursue public service.

School officials cited her academic workload, employment at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists, student government leadership and participation in athletics and community service as factors in her selection. Tiktin served as a student council representative for three years and played on the school’s rugby team.

She received the award certificate and a Daughters of the American Revolution pin from Cannon Ridge Chapter Regent Jennifer St. Victor-de Pinho and Vice Regent Nancy Liguori during a presentation attended by Ridgefield High School Principal Jacob Greenwood and school counselor Lori Bran, the chapter said.

The Cannon Ridge Chapter, founded in 2021, is based in Ridgefield and supports local education, historic preservation and veterans programs. The chapter plans to host the Remembrance Ball on April 25 at the Lounsbury House to raise funds for local charitable initiatives, according to the announcement.