Sabrina Chen, DAR Good Citizen award winner during her acceptance speech.

3/12/15 State Conference Evening Update

The evening session of the 107th Annual California State Conference was filled with music and celebrations of the evening’s award winners.  From a riveting performance of the national anthem by Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef, DAR Americanism Medal Awardee, to the melodious sounds of the New Directions Veterans Choir, the evening session was highly entertaining and enjoyable.

Honored awardees included winners in the following categories:

• American History Essay Contest-
  5th Grade: Regina Irene Molitoris (sponsored by Josefa Higuera Livermore Chapter, District IV)
  6th Grade: Michelina Nguyen (sponsored by Colonel William Cabell Chapter, District XII)
  7th Grade: Claire Shae (sponsored by Jose Maria Amador Chapter, District IV)
  8th Grade: Francesca Apaya (sponsored by Jose Maria Amador Chapter, District IV)

Outstanding Teacher of American History, Brandon Del’Orto poses for a photo with Carol Oakley Jackson, State Regent

• Christopher Columbus Essay Contest-
  Cheyanne Janene Sheridan
  (sponsored by Sierra Amador Chapter, District II)

• DAR Good Citizen-
  Sabrina Chen
  (sponsored by Los Gatos Chapter, District VI)

• DAR Service for Veterans-
  Oscar G. Polster
  (sponsored by Rancho Buena Vista Chapter, District XIV)

• Outstanding Teacher of American History-
  Brandon Dell’Orto
  (sponsored by Gold Trail Chapter, District II)

• DAR History Award Medal-
  Martha Vallejo-McGettigan
  (sponsored by Presidio Chapter, District II)

Thomas J. Anton was this years DAR Medal of Honor winner.

• DAR Americanism Medal-
  Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef
  (sponsored by El Redondo Chapter, District XII)

• DAR Medal of Honor-
  Thomas J. Anton, Cooks from the Valley
  (sponsored by Bakersfield Chapter)