At the April meeting of Tallassee Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, local students were honored for outstanding achievements. From left, Vice Regent Bobbie Fresh, Treasurer Jane Sheridan, Madeline Albritton, Jacob Del Toro, JakeRott, Erin Fowler and Mary Guill, chaplain.

TIFTON – The Tallassee Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution honored three local students, Madeline Albritton, Jacob Del Toro, Erin Fowler and Jacob Rott at the April meeting at the Coastal Plain Regional Library recently.

Vice Regent Bobby Fresh awarded certificates and pins to Madeline Albritton of Tiftarea Academy and Jacob Del Toro of Tift County High School, winners of the chapter’s DAR Good Citizen Award.

The students each wrote an essay on “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility to Preserve It,” and Albritton and Del Toro each read their essays to the audience.

Fresh told the audience that the rim of the pin has 13 stars which represent the 13 original colonies. Within the rim is a band of blue enamel that identifies the pin with the local group. The qualities of good character which are emphasized by this award – dependability, service, leadership and patriotism – are titles of the four books found in the center. Circling the books is the Laurel of Honor and behind them is the Torch of Understanding

Albritton is the daughter of Jim and Karen Albritton. Albritton has been on the Headmaster’s List, having a 95 or above average grade in all of her classes for her entire high school career. Albritton received a high recommendation from the volunteer coordinator, Lynn McDonald, at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village. McDonald said that “spending summer days in the South Georgia heat and humidity dressed in a long sleeve and floor length costume of the 1880s does not appeal to many high school students, but Madeline was eager to serve with a positive attitude and a great smile.”

Albritton has been a member of Key Club, Beta Club, Y-Club and the cheerleading squad. In her church, she is a member of Acteens and also worked in missions by providing free day care to working parents in Kentucky. She also helped in an orphanage in Jamaica. She spends time with elderly shut-ins and is a certified volunteer with Tiftarea Hospice.

Albritton’s leadership abilities have been recognized and awarded at her school. She received the Team Leadership Award on her debate team, she is a nominee for the Trent Lott Leadership Award and she is an officer in the Key Club. McDonald also said that as an interpreter, Albritton demonstrated her leadership skills when working with the younger apprentices.

Albritton has served as a page in the Georgia state Senate for the Honorable John D. Crosby. Based on her leadership and patriotism, she was selected by the Georgia EMCs to participate in the Washington Youth Tour where she spent a week in Washington, D.C., touring and listening to inspirational speakers.

Albritton plans to attend Mercer University this fall where she will major in business on a pre-med track. She hopes to become a dermatologist.

Del Toro is the son of Juan and Amy Del Toro and is one of the top two academic students at the high school. He has received academic honors in the areas of chemistry, physics, statistics and U.S. History; he has been awarded a University of Georgia Certificate of Merit; he has been selected as a Senior Superlative; and he is Tift County High’s Star Student. While in high school, he has been involved in a wide range of activities including cross country, band and chorus, and the Academic Bowl.

Del Toro has worked in his father’s tire store and, in his own words, has seen the rewards for his service in the faces of their customers as a farmer’s tractor is made ready for harvest or an owner of a small lawn service has his mowers ready for work. Del Toro understands the value of his service. He knows that his service provides a way for these customers to support their families.

Del Toro has been an officer in the Beta Club and the Chess Club and won the Spirit of the Brigade Award. He is dedicated to learning for learning’s sake and, according to his teachers who recommended him, his attitude is infectious to those around him. He inspires his classmates through a combination of thought provoking conversations sprinkled with wit. His positive attitude and ability to work well with others makes him a natural leader.

Del Toro showed in his essay that he understands the value of hard work. He considers that the very act of working and contributing to our nation’s economy is an act of patriotism. He is driven by a desire to always do his very best…and inspires those around him to do likewise.

Del Toro will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology this fall. His goal is to receive a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. He hopes someday to work for NASA or for private industry.

Jacob “Jake” Rott, recipient of the DAR Youth Citizenship Award, is a junior at Tift County High School and the son of  Jeffrey and Delaine Rott.  His favorite subject in school is history. He earned one of the highest averages in U.S. history and made one of the best score this year on the state U.S. History end of course test.  Rott is a member of the Eighth Street Singing Company and is involved in the show choir band.  He also enjoys Florida State football and Texas Rangers baseball.  

Receiving the JROTC award is Cadet Erin Fowler, one of six Flight Commanders, the Drill and Ceremonies Commander, and the Wing Personnel Officer. She is in command of the GA – 51st Air Force Junior ROTC Mustangs Drill Team which is made up of 38 drill team members. During the school year, the team won a number of trophies and competed in four drill meets, including state meet. As the E Flight Commander, Fowler leads 12 cadets and helps the members of her flight in drill promotions. She is also on staff as the Wing Personnel Office and has numerous responsibilities such as maintaining attendance records for Wing staff meeting, leadership training, extracurricular activities and special functions.

Fowler is a senior and plans to attend ABAC in the fall and pursue a degree in nursing.

Major Peter Candelario pinned the NSDAR pin on Fowler.

The DAR Youth Citizenship Award was presented by Mary Guill. Sheridan presented the Good Citizenship Award, and Fresh presented the JROTC award.