Seven graduating seniors honored for good citizenship

Chester — The Daughters of the American Revolution presented its Good Citizen Awards to seven local students judged outstanding for their dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. The award recipients are Diane Lee of the Chester Academy, Nicole Ramberg Pihl of Goshen Central High School, Benjamin Myhren of Minisink Valley High School, Erica Rannestad of Pine Bush High School, Kylie Burnside of S.S. Seward Institute in Florida, Paul Baresel IV of George F. Baker Tuxedo High School, and Anna Stanhewicz of Warwick Valley High School. Chester’s Diane Lee was also named winner of the Good Citizen Scholarship Contest at the local level. The awards were presented by the Minisink Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution during ceremonies held at the Historic 1841 Courthouse in Goshen. Orange County Historian Theodore Sly gave two of the students the privilege of ringing the historic courthouse bell. All the honored students received certificates from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, lapel pins, and monetary awards from Minisink Chapter, presented by Linda Burroughs, chapter regent, and by Alberta Kelsey, chairwoman of the Good Citizen Committee. Parents, faculty representatives, and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution listened as each of the honored students offered insight into their activities, interests, and accomplishments. An address by former Middletown fire chief Lee Gerow concluded the program.