The Pierce Downer Society of the Children of the American Revolution, located in Downers Grove, received several awards and recognitions at the Children of the American Revolution’s state conference and national convention this spring. Members also received local and national awards in the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Junior American Citizen’s Contest. The local Children of the American Revolution chapter is named for Downers Grove's founder, Pierce Downer, and membership is open to all children of revolutionary war lineage. The Pierce Downer Society includes O’Neill eighth grader Diana Kwak, Fairmount sixth grader Alan Kwak, Fairmount sixth grader Frank Kwak, O’Neill seventh grader Cooper LamBeau and El Sierra sixth grader Kellar LamBeau.
The Children of the American Revolution presented the Pierce Downer Society with the following awards:
- Outstanding Illinois Society – First Place, Best society with 36 members or more
- National President’s Project – First Place, Best program about the Battle of Yorktown’s cannons project
- President – First Place, Most toiletries/comfort items collected for Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital
- First Vice President – First Place, Best program about First Ladies
- Corresponding Secretary – First Place, Best program about Revolutionary War correspondence
- Registrar – First Place, Best program about voting
- Chaplain – First Place, Best prayer by a member over 11 years old, by Cooper LamBeau
- Patriotic Education Program – First Place, Best design of a militia uniform, by Kellar LamBeau
- Veterans – First Place, Best poster designed for service dogs for veterans, by Kellar LamBeau
- Conservation – Second Place, Best program about National Parks
- Kids Helping Kids – Second Place, Most public service hours by children for children
- Membership – Second Place, Best program promoting membership and allegiance to the Children of the American Revolution
- Mountain Schools – Second Place, Best program about the Children of the American Revolution’s mountain schools project.
- Illinois State Merit Award – Honorable Mention
- National Merit Award – Honorable Mention
President Diana Kwak also represented the Pierce Downer Society at the National Children of the American Revolution annual convention in Washington D.C. from April 21-23.
In addition, Kellar and Cooper LamBeau submitted entries for the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Junior American Citizen’s Contest. Cooper’s photo essay won first place at the state, regional and national levels. Kellar’s photo essay won first place at the state and regional levels, and third place at the national level. Both photo essays described Zion National Park in Utah. Congratulations, District 58 students and Pierce Downer Society members!
Founded in 1895, the Children of the American Revolution is the oldest patriotic youth organization in the United States. The group has more than 9,000 members nationwide. More information is available at www.nscar.org.