Libertyville High School Announces DAR, SAR Good Citizen Award Recipients

From Libertyville High School: Libertyville High School is pleased to announce its winners of the 2016-17 Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Good Citizen Awards, Jenna El Ghatit and Christopher Haidvogel. The award winners are selected annually from the senior class by the LHS faculty and staff. The awards recognize and reward individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities.

Jenna El Ghatit

Lauded as one of the “most respectful and kindest students at LHS” by multiple faculty members, Jenna El Ghatit has achieved a superlative academic record at LHS and has worked hard to create a positive learning environment for her classmates, too. The defining characteristic of the DAR Award is something at which Jenna excels; She makes those around her feel important and valued. As one teacher states, “Jenna is the type of student that can brighten a teacher’s day.”

Jenna brings her outstanding skills to several extracurricular activities also. She plays basketball and lacrosse and loves the close teamwork and school spirit associated with her participation on these two teams. Jenna has also been a part of LHS’s award-winning choir for all four years of her LHS tenure. Music is clearly an important part of her life as she has also played the piano since she was four.

Jenna says of her many years of piano practice, “It sparked a passion for music and classical piano that helped me acquire the dedication needed to work on a piece for months at a time.” For the past five years, Jenna has competed at the Sonata-Sonatina Festival in Chicago and finished with gold medals each time.

As her counselor states, “Helping others is a common theme for Jenna.” As a member of National Honor Society, Jenna finds time in her packed schedule to tutor students. She also volunteers outside of school at the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC) which provides programs for participants with special needs; She designs and executes activities for a special education summer camp and helps coach volleyball for the Special Olympics.Jenna is planning to use her considerable talents in pursuit of a career in Psychology, Education or Medicine (note the “helping others” theme!). We can’t wait to see what her future holds!

Christopher Haidvogel

One of Christopher Haidvogel's teachers says it best, “In addition to his academic abilities, Chris is one of those students who does not hesitate to offer assistance to anyone, for any reason. I have witnessed so many examples this year of his kind and generous heart - being friendly with a very shy student, offering to help an absent student get caught up with his work, being observant when a teacher had her arms full and needed some assistance carrying books, just to name a few. He has a very humble nature and just does what needs to be done, without trying to impress anyone or get credit. Many students aspire to leadership roles in clubs or sports just so they can include it on their resumes. Chris is a true leader – one who uses his abilities and altruism to help others.”

One of the most important activities to which Chris has devoted his time is Boy Scouts. He achieved the pinnacle of this program, Eagle Scout, when he was a high school freshman-just 14 years old, considered very young to have achieved that status.

Chris says, “Often, I forget that I even am an Eagle Scout. But, I think that is how the award should be to the person who achieves it. It should be remembered, in the back of their mind with all the skills they have learned. Being an Eagle Scout helped me realize who I want to be as a person, as well as learn so much.”

Chris has held numerous leadership positions in Boy Scouts and counts training future leaders for his troop as one of his most satisfying roles.Mentoring comes naturally to Chris and he has demonstrated this skill over and over in his high school career. Chris was selected as the drum major for the LHS Marching Band as a sophomore; he leads the band on the field and in rehearsals, helps to conduct the band and helps to make the shows better for the audience. Chris is a part of LHS’s Link Crew program and helps to mentor freshmen during his lunchtime.We are very excited for what the future holds for Chris. He will use his considerable academic talents in pursuit of a career in Nuclear Engineering or Business (Supply Chain Management).Congratulations, Christopher, on being named the 2016-2017 Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Good Citizen Award Winner!

Photos courtesy of Libertyville High School