DAR REGENT Diana McDonald, left, and club member Noma Nell Thomas, right, congratulate essay contest winner Johanna Speights of Mexia. Limestone county winner of the Good Citizen essay contest, Johanna Speights of Mexia high school, was honored at the Feb. 10 meeting of the Jonathan Hardin chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Miss Speights was accompanied by her teacher Mrs. Brubaker, who praised Miss Speights as an honor student, who is active in sports and other school activities, and who currently has the highest grade point average in her senior class. She will attend Texas A&M University in the fall.

DAR members gave Miss Speights a standing ovation in response to the reading of her essay “Challenge Your Downfall”. She was presented a cash prize and Good Citizen pin.

The meeting was called to order by Regent Diana McDonald who led the members in the DAR ritual, pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags. Billie Bournias gave the National Defense Report.

Nancy Rula gave the Registrar’s report of members at present as 90. After a written ballot, new junior member Sarah Katherine Mullen joined the chapter. Treasurer Betty Hawkins was absent because of illness and Regent McDonald reported income for the chapter this month. Millicent McLeod read the minutes from the last meeting and they were approved with two corrections. Betty Hawkins won the campaign pin raffle and Fairfield schools did not participate in the American History essay contest.

Mrs. McDonald displayed the medal to be given to the American History essay contest winner. Kay Alston thanked the chapter members for contributions of saddles and tack to the Crossnore School’s barn project and other contributions to the school. She asked the group to remember the head of the school, Dr. Phyllis Crain, in prayers since her condition with cancer has worsened. She is at M.D. Anderson at present facing two surgeries.

Regent McDonald gave an Indian Moment and Billie Bournias gave an insignia moment with an announcement asking for the number of DAR insignia pins ordered by members for her report. She also gave a humorous conservation minute. Kay Alston announced that chapter member Eleanor Clark will sell her Christian book at annual conference and give 40 percent of the book proceeds to the DAR schools. Millicent McLeod gave an American Flag moment and Regent McDonald announced that there would be a CAR meeting February 28. A newspaper from 1999 was displayed showing a full page article on the history of Jonathan Hardin Chapter.

Regent McDonald introduced Susan Tillman, TSDAR treasurer who gave an inspirational talk on DAR activities entitled “What DAR Can Do For You.” Mrs. Tillman emphasized attendance of chapter meetings and volunteering for committees. She gave an in-depth report on what projects the committees could foster and how serving in the chapter develops the “daughter” personally. She said her favorite quote, which is from an unknown source, is “Volunteers are not paid not because they are not worthy but because they are priceless”. Treasurer Tillman asked that the donation for her program presentation be given to the State Regent’s Project.

The meeting was closed with a prayer by Kay Alston and was adjourned at 11:52 A.M.