History enthusiasts of all ages packed the School Administration Building Feb. 21 for the Daughters of the American (DAR) annual awards ceremony.

“This is such a wonderful event each year because we not only get to honor some of our leading history teachers in the city, we also get to highlight and celebrate our students who are excelling in those classrooms and pursuing their own passions in history,” said Dr. Aaron Spence, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS). “And, that passion for understanding more of our history and digging deep into the foundation of this nation is vital in today’s culture.”

During the hourlong ceremony, the four local DAR chapters (Lynnhaven Parish, Adam Thoroughgood, Princess Anne County and Francis Land) honored staff members and students for the instruction and study of American history.

Each local chapter selects an American history teacher in grades five-12 who demonstrates a strong knowledge of our nation’s past, fosters a spirit of patriotism and maintains high academic standards. The following teachers were honored:

Mathew Scott – Bayside High School

Amanda Gillespie – Cox High School

Gabriel Wetmore – Kempsville High School

James Freeman – Landstown High School

Thomas Clouser – Salem High School

Kathleen LaRoue – Tallwood High School

Marieke Jones – Bayside Middle School

Lisa Baiger – First Colonial High School

In addition, each VBCPS high school nominates a junior enrolled in Virginia and U.S. history or Advanced Placement American history who demonstrates academic excellence in those subjects and participates in relevant extracurricular activities as well as community projects. The following students were recognized as Outstanding American History Students:

Mariah Love Thomas – Bayside High School

Maura Nacey – Cox High School

Kai Thomas Cubine – First Colonial High School

Kayla Dean – Green Run Collegiate

Nia McMillan – Green Run High School

Luke Anglin – Kellam High School

Sydney Kirkpatrick – Kempsville High School

Joshua Petitma – Landstown High School

Marykate Kerrigan – Ocean Lakes High School

Carley Bede – Princess Anne High School

Danielle Miller – Salem High School

Rachel McGraw – Tallwood High School

Also at the event, two fifth-grade students were honored for their participation in the DAR’s Junior American Citizens Contest, where they could submit artwork, creative design or perform community service to the theme: The 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing – America’s Great Move Forward in Exploration and Technology. This year’s winners were:

Jonathan Daniels – White Oaks Elementary School

Sophia Hale – White Oaks Elementary

For more information about the DAR and its award programs, visit DAR.org.