Madison Academy fifth-grader Lindsey Lee Cunningham, at center, received an American History essay award from the Huntsville chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Presenting the award are chapter regent Wilma Stone, at left, and history chairman Martha Ann Whitt. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Several local students received awards recently from the Huntsville Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

DAR members presented awards during their annual American History Awards Luncheon at Valley Hill Country Club. After patriotic exercises, chapter regent Wilma Stone, historian Patricia Brewer, American history chairman Martha Ann Whitt and community service chairman Gail Birmingham recognized award winners with certificates.

Jonathan R. Leggett from Lee High School received the Outstanding Teacher of American History Award. “Mr. Leggett’s philosophy of teaching American history is to present the clearest picture of the past and get students to try and see history through the eyes of the people that lived it,” Stone said.

Winners for essays on “A Child’s Journey Through Ellis Island” were fifth-grader Lindsey Lee Cunningham and sixth-grader Leah Egli of Madison Academy.

Nicholas T. Hubbert, a senior at Sparkman High School, was essay winner for “Joining Christopher Columbus on his Voyage to the New World.” Good citizen award recipients were Daniel Ryan Johnston, first place, Pope John Paul II Catholic High School; Amy Denny, second, Westminster Christian Academy; and Kathryn J. Packard, Columbia High School, third.

Madison Academy students receiving Junior American Citizen Awards were Dangelo Matthews, stamp design; Everett Brooks III, short story; Amanda Lynn Falkner, photo essay; and teammates Mackenzie Rozek, Elizabeth Taylor and Jordan Mills, community service.

In other recognition, Ruth Hudson and Peggy Hawkins were honored with Excellence in Community Service awards. Hudson volunteers at the Downtown Rescue Mission Thrift Store, along with serving on committees for Madison Baptist Association and as a trustee and instructor at the Hudson School of Theology at Legacy.

Hawkins created the Project Linus Chapter to supply blankets for neonatal and pediatric intensive care units at a local hospital. She recently provided patriotic quilts to children of fallen soldiers, policemen and firemen.

Founded in 1890, DAR has headquarters in Washington D.C. The non-profit, non-political volunteer organization for women is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children.