SENIOR EARNS DAR GOOD CITIZEN AWARD

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January 22, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Piety Hill Chapter honors student and her essay on citizenship and American ideals.

Edith Byrd NDP'26 has been named the 2026 recipient of the Good Citizen Award from the Piety Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, based in Birmingham, Mich.

The DAR Good Citizen Award recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. Students are selected by their schools and invited to participate in a scholarship competition that includes a personal essay reflecting on civic responsibility.

Upon receiving the award, Byrd said it was confirmation that everyone can be a force for good.

"I found it to be an amazing opportunity that proves we all have the ability to make a difference in the world," said the senior, who plans to major in biochemistry on a pre-med track in college.

Byrd received the honor last week from the Piety Hill Chapter.

Essay reflects on citizenship and the nation’s founding ideals

In her essay, Byrd examined how the characteristics of a good citizen can renew and strengthen American democracy as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.

“A good citizen remains an essential aspect of a nation, helping to fortify a stronger sense of national pride and community,” Byrd wrote. She identified “dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism” as qualities that “help build a human of strong character whom all can look up to as American history progresses.”

Drawing on the sacrifices of the American Revolution, Byrd contrasted the challenges faced by the nation’s founders with those of modern society.

“During the revolution, American soldiers witnessed their comrades fall to the ground — never seeing their families again,” she wrote. “These soldiers had every right to give up … however, they did just the opposite. They put their heart and soul into every battle … ultimately forming their own nation.”

Defining good citizenship in everyday life

Byrd’s essay emphasized that civic responsibility is expressed through everyday actions, not only historic moments.

“Dependability is as simple as sticking to your word,” she wrote, adding that service can take many forms, from volunteering in the community to “taking time out of your day to visit and spend time with grandparents or pay a visit to healthcare workers in hospitals — giving thanks.”

She described leadership as “guiding others down the road to morality,” whether through encouragement or ethical decision-making, and defined patriotism as “support and dedication to your country,” including civic participation and public-service professions.

“When a person emits these qualities, it makes others want to do ‘the good’ in society as well, creating an army of good citizens,” Byrd wrote.

DAR chapter recognizes character and civic values

Jeanette Keatts, regent of the Piety Hill Chapter, said the award reflects the organization’s mission to encourage civic responsibility among young people.

“We are honored to recognize Edith Byrd for her exceptional character and service,” Keatts said. “The DAR Good Citizen Award celebrates young people who are leaders in both word and deed, and Edith is a wonderful example of these qualities.”

In addition to the recognition, award recipients receive a Good Citizen pin and certificate and are eligible to advance in the DAR Good Citizen scholarship competition.

More about the DAR
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.