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The DAR Good Citizens are able to compete for a scholarship by writing an essay about preserving the American heritage, the individual DAR chapters then select the best piece, written about preserving their heritage, to continue on to state competition. The state competition essay winners than compete nationally.

An awards reception for the recipients in the Anne Frisby Fitzhugh-Saginaw Chapter-which includes Chesaning and St. Charles Schools-is set for Feb. 8. The Genesse chapter-which includes New Lothrop and Montrose Schools-will recognize their Good Citizen award recipients with a reception on March 15.

Craige Brewster, Jr.

Craige Brewster, Jr. (C.J.) said he felt honored when he was selected as the DAR Good Citizen for Chesaning Union High School.

Chesaning's nominating procedure first selected students by teacher's nomination-which narrowed the eligible senior class into nominees Brewster, Lyndsey Carter, Brooke Jastrzembowski and Kelsey Kunik. Brewster was then selected by a vote from his classmates to receive the award.

The son of Craige Brewster, Sr. and Kimberly and Daren Hopkins, the 17-year-old has maintained a 3.51 grade point average, earning him High Honors.

"C.J. is very helpful to staff and other students," said Wanda Kensrud, the DAR Coordinator for Chesaning schools.

Brewster is active in Key Club and National Honor Society, as well as serving his community as an Albee Township Fire Explorer and TV5, TV25 and NWS Weather Spotter.

Brewster says that his dad has influenced him the most, because of his dad's efforts for him.

"I am very dedicated to the things that I do, I am very dependable, I am a great leader and I am very proud of my country," he said.

Brewster plans to pursue a career in teaching math and science, with a special interest in meteorology.

Dustin McSweyn

Faculty and staff of St. Charles High School nominated Dustin McSweyn to receive the 2007 DAR Good Citizen Award.

"This is a great honor for a student since it represents life qualities that demonstrate strong character," wrote DAR Coordinator Linda Schoen.

Schoen said that McSweyn is a leader both in and out of school, participating in the National Honor Society, Teen Action Council, and Youth Leadership. He was a member of the basketball team for two years and the baseball team for three years. Through all four years of his high school career, he has played for Bulldog football.

Beginning his own business at the age of fourteen, McSweyn is said to be gifted in the area of technology.

"Although there are many fine leaders at St. Charles High School, Dustin was selected for his service to the community and school coupled with his exemplary display of integrity, honesty and willingness to help out wherever he is needed," said Schoen.

McSweyn plans on attending college in the fall after graduating with the Class of 2008.

Nicholle Pierce

Nicholle Pierce was selected from a list of 22 possible candidates as the 2008 DAR Good Citizen for the Montrose Hill-McCloy High School.

The 17-year-old daughter of David and Allison Pierce, Nicholle Pierce holds a GPA of 3.975 and plans on attending the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia to obtain a master's degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

"She is dependable and a leader to her goals, her studies, her teammates, her band group and to her student council organization," said Montrose school counselor Kim Smith.

Pierce has participated in the National Honor Society, Student Council, Drama Club and Prom Committee. She has been involved in Quiz Bowl, the school Bible study, and the jazz band since her freshmen year.

In athletics, Pierce participated in track for four years and has also played basketball. Her freshmen year, she received the Most Improved Player award in basketball and Most Valuable Freshmen in track. In tenth grade, she received the Coach's Award for her efforts in track.

"Leadership is evident in all I do," the senior said. "As the head of many student organizations, I take charge, stand up for what I believe in, and listen to everyone's opinions."

Smith says the student also has qualities of service. Pierce has been a member of her church youth group for six years, sings at nursing homes every month, serves pancakes at the Blueberry Festival's breakfast, tutored a seventh grader in math and science, helped at the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, as well as organizing donations for food drives and for the Salvation Army. She has also been a member of the Michigan Youth Leadership Team Alumni for two years.

Pierce has received several awards, including two of the American Legion Awards, English Awards, Who's Who Among American High School Students, Academic Excellence, and student of the month. She has also been honored with the Chemistry Award, Excellence in Science and Mathematics Scholarship Stipend for Lawrence Technology University, Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit and Genesee County Academic League All Star.

Pierce says she also demonstrates patriotism. "I uphold the beliefs of my forefathers and plan to preserve them in every way possible," she said.

The senior said that both of her parents have influenced her life. "They have worked hard to get the places that they are," she said.

Thomas Wenzlick

"This is a young man," DAR Coordinator Pam Thiel said of Thomas Wenzlick, "who maintains high ethical standards in all his endeavors. He is a hard worker, strives to do very well, and is very courteous to everyone."

Wenzlick, the 17-year-old son of Stan and Jean Wenzlick of Chesaning, will graduate in May 2008 as the New Lothrop High School DAR Good Citizen. Next fall, he plans to attend Michigan State University for a pre-medical degree with a major in chemistry to prepare him for medical school and achieve his goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

"I finish what I commit to and put my full effort forth in everything that I do," he commented. "As a leader, I try to lead by example instead of vocally."

Wenzlick has lead as the Junior President of the FFA in 2005, as well as being involved in the ROCK Youth Group at St. Michael's, and Health Occupation Students of America.

Wenzlick is currently leading the Hornet grapplers as the team captain for wrestling, where he has competed for four years at the varsity level. He has also participated in four years of football, including two years of varsity, and four years of varsity track.

In 2005 and 2007, he received a GAC Honorable Mention for 110 meter hurdles in track. Wenzlick was recognized with GAC Second Team in 2005 for 110 meter hurdles and in 2007 as a running back for the football team.

Wenzlick was recognized for his academic achievements-which includes a 3.99 grade point average-as a three-time student of the month, with nomination to the Academic All State football team, and with induction into the National Honor Society. He has also challenged himself with classes at Baker College.

"When it comes to service," Wenzlick said, "I enjoy being active."

He has spent two weeks on mission trips repairing homes for the less fortunate and has helped with youth sports since his freshmen year. Wenzlick also volunteered for five children's Christmas programs and assisted the Red Cross with food delivery in Owosso.

His willingness to help others, he says, comes from his patriotism. "I know that my country has allowed my to be who I am," he said.

Wenzlick said his family has also helped him to become who he is now. "But, the most influential person, outside my family, in my life has probably been my surgeon, Dr, Sidney Martin. He opened the door to the medical profession for me and has helped me to see what the career includes through job shadows, interviews and continual support. He has definitely changed my life."

Vanilla Heart Publishing signs Montrose author Mary Quast for debut novel in her Soul Series

Seattle, WA, - Vanilla Heart Publishing is pleased to announce the signing of Mary Quast, from Montrose, the author of the upcoming novel Painted Soul.

Painted Soul will be the debut novel of the 'Soul' series, and is slated for public release in early summer, 2008. A contemporary romance with a twist, Painted Soul is a story that takes the reader on a wonderful ride in an artist's life, through the streets of London, and into the shadows of the underground.

"Elizabeth McAlister was only eighteen when she met the art student, Puzzola in a London nightclub and gave him her heart. Ten years later, they meet again when a summer of intense passion and dark secrets begins.

As Elizabeth falls deeper in love with Puzzola, she tries to rescue him from tortured memories he refuses to discuss. Eventually, his double life and erotic past are exposed in a local newspaper just as he is involved in a life-threatening accident."

"Quast's emotionally charged and intensely romantic novel is so well researched and so exquisitely told," says Karen Mayes, contemporary romance reviewer, "I will be looking for more of Mary's work, that is for sure!"

The author says, "At the age of sixteen, I had the opportunity to visit the Soho district of London and was inspired by the atmosphere. This inspiration continued to build in me over the years until I completed Painted Soul, and was so completely entranced by all the characters, I just had to write more novels to tell their individual stories. I couldn't stop writing."

Quast currently has two more of the series completed in addition to Painted Soul; Tormented Soul and Lonely Soul, and is working on the fourth 'Soul' novel. "Every novel reveals more characters and plot twists to delve into, and more people's lives and loves to write about," says Quast. "I may never stop writing the stories inside my head," she promises.

Quast, originally from Saginaw, who graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1985 and Alma College in 1989 recommends for young writers to never stop writing, keep a journal of ideas and never give up. After moving to Montrose 14 years ago, she met with established Montrose author, award-winning Doug Allyn.

"I was scared to talk to a "real" writer," Quast remembers, "I was intimidated. But Doug Allyn was so sincere and kind; he gave me advice and the confidence that I could make it. We've spoken several times since; I have a lot of respect for him."

Quast is a member of the Romance Writers of America. She enjoys painting and drawing and sharing all her creative talents with her church, First Presbyterian Church in Saginaw. In her spare time, Mary loves being with her three children especially reading and doing crafts. Finding treasures at rummage sales is a favorite pastime with her husband.

To learn more about Mary Quast and her Soul Series, visit www.maryquast.com. She is also on MySpace at www.myspace.com/maryquast.

A professionally produced book trailer for Painted Soul will be available on Vanilla Heart Publishing's website at www.vanillaheartpublishing.com, where you can find special discounted publisher prices on this and other books, as well as author blogs, event announcements, media kits and reader contests and prizes.