Harycki’s volunteer efforts recognized by DAR Award

By Ginna Young

To be a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award recipient, a high school senior must be in good standing in their school district, who possesses the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. The award, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship.

These students are selected by their teachers and peers, because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. This year, for Cornell, one such student hit all the marks for selection – Grace Harycki.

“I was honored and overwhelmed to be selected for the DAR Good Citizen Award,” said Harycki. “It is very humbling to be recognized for my volunteering efforts.”

Included in her volunteer accomplishments, are helping with the Kids Community Christmas Party; helping with fundraising events at her church; helping handicapped students play baseball through the Chippewa Valley Miracle League; and working at community blood drives.

“I credit my parents for always supporting me and teaching me the importance of giving back to our community,” said Harycki. “They taught me at a young age, that even small acts of kindness and volunteering have a ripple effect of positive outcome in our community. The older I get, the more I realize that these small acts of kindness and volunteering opportunities help me, just as much as I am helping others.”

Harycki encourages other students to find ways to get involved in the community, to create more ripples of change for the better.

“Even the smallest actions can have a big impact,” said Harycki.