Comfort Wood, DAR, announces award recipients

Contributed Photo DAR Good Citizens Comfort Wood Chapter, DAR "Good Citizens" were chosen from their respective schools to represent qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism to an outstanding degree. Recipients are (l-r) Laura Kubes, East Bernard High School; Bobby Jack Polasek, El Campo High School; Blaire Zahn, Wharton High School; and Trey Kulak, Boling High. Not pictured is Aaron Lovett of Louise High School.

The Comfort Wood Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, held their annual "Good Citizens" and "Community Service" awards reception on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Boling Room of the Wharton County Historical Museum.

Regent Hazel Foltyn welcomed guests by giving the National Motto: "God, Home, and Country," and the national theme: "The Spirit of Hospitality Opens Doors of Opportunity" at which point she rang the pineapple bell to begin the program and continued with the Texas state theme of "Patriotism Through Service" and scripture - 1 Peter: 4:10.

The opening ceremony was led by Foltyn and Betty Hill, chaplain. Gene Jackson, secretary, led pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.

Community Service Recognition The Comfort Wood Chapter, DAR "Community Service Award of Louise" is being presented to Ben Dincans Jr. by chapter Treasurer Pat Sanders. Dincans was chosen from his community for his dedication to the Louise Volunteer Fire Department for more than 25 years and serving as its chief. He also serves on the Louise/ Hillje Beautification Committee and is always willing to help others make his community a better place to live.

Annie Stafford, vice-regent, presented the 2007-2008 "Good Citizens" from each area high school. Each recipient received a $50 Savings Bond and a DAR Good Citizens certificate and pin. The significance of the pin includes a rim of 13 stars to represent 13 original colonies; a band of blue enamel to identify with the DAR Society. Qualities of good character that emphasize dependability, service, leadership, patriotism are titles of four books in the center suggesting school days. Circling these is the laurel wreath of honor and behind them the torch of understanding. The certificates were signed by National President General Linda Gist Calvin, State Regent Lynn Forney Young and the National Chairman of the DAR Good Citizens Committee, Janet E. Whittington. The recipients are: Trey Kulak of Boling High School, Laura Kubes of East Bernard High School, Bobby Jack Polasek of El Campo High School, Aaron Lovett of Louise High School and Blaire Zahn of Wharton High School.

TREY KULAK

Kulak has been in National Honor Society for three years, honor roll three years, Student Council four years, and served as class treasurer and president. He has been on the golf team two years, and the marching and concert bands for three years. He was very active in 4-H and FFA and won the FFA Star Lone Star Chapter Award. He was BHS class favorite for two years, in the Spanish Club four years and served as both treasurer and vice president and is a member of the Library Club. He was freshman and sophomore class treasurer and junior class president. He has served two years on the Wharton County Junior Fair Board and is presently vice president. He is active in his church and holds a parttime job at King Ranch Turf Farm. Kulak announced he was accepted into Texas A&M where he will study in the biological field.

LAURA KUBES

Kubes has been in National Honor Society two years, Student Council member, class reporter two years and class treasurer this year. She has been a cheerleader three years and plays varsity softball and volleyball. She is treasurer of the TAFE, the Speech and Drama Club, and worked on the school prom. She is active in her church, the community food drives, "Shattered Dreams" program against drinking and driving that she has taken an active role and the community Christmas Parade. She is active in her church and their bazaar.

BOBBY JACK POLASEK

Polasek is in National Honor Society, played varsity football four years where he was first Team All-District, County All-District linebacker, All-District Academic two years and All-State Academic Honorable Mention this year, Honorable Mention Victoria Advocate and All-Area team this year. He has been in the Science Club four years. He participated in the Hugh O'Brian Leadership Forum and was the Elks Student of the Month. He works part-time for the Computer Source in El Campo and his hobby is working with computers. He plans to attend Wharton County Junior College and then a four year college majoring in computer science.

AARON LOVETT

Lovett is a National Honor Society member and an honor roll student. He plays in the band and has been the second vice president in the 10th and 11th grades. He is a member of the FCCLA, PALS and is vice president of the Tejano Club. He has attended Boys State, participates in Relay for Life and gives blood often. His hobbies are composing music, taking voice lessons, playing the guitar and listening to music. He will attend college to become an registered nurse or something in the medical field. He enjoys serving others.

BLAIR ZAHN Zahn is a member of the National Honor Society where she is currently president. She made the National Honor Roll for four years and served as class treasurer in 9th and 10th grades. She has been on the varsity swim team four years, where she is currently captain, received TISCA All-State Honorable Mention three years, Academic All-District three years, District Champ100-Yard Breaststroke for two years, and Regional Medalist three years. She has been a cheerleader for three years, and a UCA All- Star cheerleader in the 11th grade. She played tennis two years. She enjoys drama and plays where she was an All- Star Cast Honorable Mention in the 11th grade, one-act plays in the 10th and 11th grades, the Fall Musical three years and fall play in 2007. She has been a member of the Spanish Club four years serving as reporting historian in the 11th grade and vice president this year, Thespian Club two years, Anchor Club two years and a member of Interact Club four years and served as chairman in the 11th grade and vice president this year. She has been a member of PALS for two years and 4-H three years. She has received the Wharton High School Award of Excellence three years, Who's Who Among American High School Students four years, U.S. Achievement Academy National Honor Student, attended the John Ben Sheppard Leadership Forum in the 11th grade and the U.S. Achievement Academy IFLA USAA International Foreign Language Award in the 11th grade. She plans on pursuing a career in either interior or fashion design.

Pat Sanders, treasurer, presented Ben Earl Dincans, Jr. with the "Community Service Award" for Louise. Dincans was born in Victoria County and grew up in Inez on the family farm. He received a degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. After graduation in 1969, he moved to Louise. Dincans became involved with the Louise Volunteer Fire Department in 1970 and served as the fire chief for 26 years. He is a former certified emergency medical technician and taught this technology for 20 years to his fellow firemen. In 1990, he was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Louise-Hillje Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to saving lives and his dedication to the residents of Louise, Hillje and surrounding communities. He is a licensed aircraft pilot and flies his Cessna 182 airplane as a vocation and for pleasure. He is a member of the Louise Beautification Committee where he volunteers many hours of his time. He attends the Louise United Methodist Church and assists with improvement projects. He is the father Ashley and Alan. He was presented with a certificate and pin.

Everyone joined in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee." The benediction was said by Chaplain Hill and the pineapple bell rung for dismissal. Refreshments, photos and visitation followed.