Each year, Chester County Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recognizes Good Citizens from local high schools who demonstrate the qualities of dependability, service leadership and patriotism. The students are chosen for the honor by their respective high schools.

This year's winner from Octorara Junior-Senior High School was Tyler Remphrey, who was honored along with the other Good Citizens during a ceremony held on March 9 at the West Goshen Township Building. Tyler was accompanied to the event by his parents, Byrne and Stacy Remphrey. Jacqueline Smith, Octorara guidance counselor, was also in attendance.

Tyler, who was presented with a certificate and a lapel pin, provided a list of his activities, which were read during the program. He is a member of the high school marching band, the high school Physics Team and the LifeTeen youth group at Our Lady of Consolation in Parkesburg.

Tyler, a member of Atglen Boy Scout Troop 20, also recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his service project, he created a digital map of the graveyard at St. John's Episcopal Church, Compass, located in Gap. Using a database that he created, the church leaders can now search for the names of those interred and the location of graves in the cemetery.

Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to apply for a scholarship at the state DAR level. Part of the application is completing an essay. Students are required to write the essay with no reference materials.

This year's topic was "Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It: How Will the Essential Actions of a Good Citizen - Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism - Meet the Challenges That America Faces in This Decade?"

"It's a timed essay; you have two hours," Tyler explained. "(The topic) is in a sealed envelope until the timer starts. There was an option to type, but I hand-wrote (the essay). I went through each of the four points and gave examples of why it was important."

During the program, Tyler read his essay, which included an excerpt about the importance of being a good citizen. It read, in part, "An ideal citizen is one who is dedicated to improving the lives of others for the benefit or all. Through the attributes of a good citizen, America will rise and unify to combat hardship and preserve the values that it was built on."

The DAR Good Citizen Award, which was established in 1934, was originally bestowed upon only one student per state. By 1952, the award was expanded so that each high school could select one Good Citizen honoree.

The Chester County DAR is open to women age 18 and up who are able to provide proof of their ancestral connection to those who served in the American Revolution. For more information, visit http://www.ccdar.wordpress.com.