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News of the Lake Minnetonka Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and our scholarship recipient, Madison LaRoche, appeared in the August 22nd edition of Lakeshore Weekly News. LaRoche, a 2019 Minnetonka High School graduate, was awarded the $500 scholarship in recognition of her accomplishments as a student and a community leader.
Read the full story here, courtesy of newspaper editor Melissa Turtinen, used with permission:
“When I was little,” says 2019 Minnetonka High School graduate, Madison LaRoche, “I knew that I wanted to do something extraordinary.” The Lake Minnetonka Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution endeavors to support young women with extraordinary aspirations like Madison’s and is proud to award her a $500.00 college scholarship to help her achieve her goals.
Madison already has many “extraordinary things” to her credit as a high school student. Her accomplishments as a school and community leader are impressive. In addition to being on the A honor roll and an International Baccalaureate student, she is a decorated Model United Nations Club leader and DECA business organization member. She has been a member of the sailing team for the past three years where she enthusiastically mentored new teammates. In recognition of her leadership skills, she was chosen to be a representative on the Principal’s Advisory Council. Madison also found time to serve her community as a volunteer with the ICA Food Shelf, the Backpack Tutoring program, and Many Hands Many Meals organization. She earned back to back Presidential Service Awards for her body of volunteer work.
Having graduated from high school, this remarkable student now has even more extraordinary goals in mind. She will attend Virginia Tech this fall where she plans to study neuroscience and then hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps to become a United States Naval Officer. Madison has learned first-hand from her father that military service is reserved for those who are committed to selflessness and bravery. According to Madison, she wants “to devote her life to something bigger than myself and serve those who cannot serve themselves.” She adds, “I feel that serving my country in the United States Navy is one of the most noble ways I can achieve this.”
The Lake Minnetonka Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution congratulates Madison on this well-deserved scholarship and wishes her well as she pursues her collegiate career. We are confident this accomplished, patriotic leader’s future will be nothing short of extraordinary!
by Lorrie Ham, Westonka Public Schools; used with permission
Fifth-grade social studies students at Grandview Middle School were treated to a special presentation to wrap up their unit on the American Revolution last week.
Fifth-grader James Glassman’s grandpa, Craig Whiting, is a member of the Sons of the Revolution. Whiting organized a group of both Sons and Daughters of the Revolution to put together a 70-minute presentation for the students on May 16. The group shared the presentation three times so that all of the fifth-graders had an opportunity to see it.
“This wonderful group shared stories of what it was like to be involved in the Revolution,” said Heidi Knudsen, fifth-grade social studies and science teacher. “They were able to show us various flags, tools and uniforms, and students even learned the history of ‘Huzzah!’ a famous revolution chant.”
The Sons of the Revolution was organized on April 30, 1889, the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of the nation’s first president, George Washington. The Daughters of the Revolution was founded just one year later. The objectives of both groups are historical, educational and patriotic.
“We appreciated them taking their time to visit Grandview and share their knowledge and expertise,” added Knudsen.
See the full story here: https://www.westonka.k12.mn.us//site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=20&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=5498&PageID=1
When the residents at Lake Minnetonka Shores retirement community gathered to commemorate Memorial Day on the traditional May 30th date, Lake Minnetonka DAR chapter members were on hand to assist.
Early in the day they placed hundreds of American flags along the walkways to the outdoors program. Other members escorted residents in wheelchairs from their rooms to shady spots under tents. After the patriotic program of music and speeches, DAR members helped with serving picnic lunches to those unable to stand in line.
The volunteer coordinator praised them in her email message, “All went so smoothly because we had so many volunteers on deck. You have a great organization. Please let them know how thankful we were today for their help.”
The Lake Minnetonka Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution proudly announces the winners of its 2019 essay competition. This year’s competition invited middle school students to submit essays inspired by “The Women’s Suffrage Campaign” in honor of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution passed on June 4, 1919. This amendment granted all American women the right to vote and hold elective office.
Wayzata East Middle School student, Sadie Meisenheimer, won the 6th grade competition. In her essay, Sadie creatively wrote from the perspective of the daughter of Charlotte Woodward. Charlotte attended the pivotal 1848 Seneca Falls Convention organized to fight for women’s right to vote. Of the sixty-eight women who signed the convention’s “Declaration of Sentiments” outlining women’s rights, Charlotte was the only woman who lived to see the final ratification of the 19th Amendment.
Wayzata West Middle School student, Emmeline Wang, won the 7th grade competition. Emmeline’s innovative essay was written as though she was vocal women’s rights leader, Alice Paul, making entries in her diary. As Alice, Emmeline explained how she and Lucy Burns founded the National Women’s Party to fight for women’s rights at the national level in Congress, unlike the National American Women’s Suffrage Association, which concentrated on suffrage at the state level. Emmeline also described Alice’s courageous hunger strike which tragically resulted in her abusive forced feeding.
The Daughters of the American Revolution congratulate these students and commend them for their efforts to educate our community on the historical importance and impact of the women’s suffrage campaign.
I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I have been serving the Lake Minnetonka Chapter, NSDAR for the past 2 years. I have gotten to know many of you during our meetings and outings. I want to thank all the members who also serve the chapter and the community. I have had a wonderful executive board that has supported and pushed me to assure our chapter’s growth and success. I look forward to continuing service to the NSDAR in other capacities. Fondly, Terry Anderson, Past Regent
Congratulations to Lake Minnetonka Chapter NSDAR daughter Kathi Tunheim. It was reported in the December 27th, 2018 issue of the Lakeshore Weekly News that Kathi is the new inaugural Vice President for mission, strategy and innovation at Gustavus Adolphus College. She has been a member of the faculty since 2007. Kathi serves on our chapter’s scholarship committee and she helped with this past year’s Veterans Day event. Congratulations from all your friends at the Lake Minnetonka Chapter.
A Quilt of Valor was presented to William Bull, a Purple Heart recipient, by the Lake Minnetonka DAR at its annual Veterans Day event held November 11 at the Trinity Church in Long Lake. On December 5, members of the chapter surprised Ruth Rosen, a WWII army nurse, with a Quilt of Valor. Her family also surprised her by attending the ceremony at the senior living facility. The Lake Minnetonka Chapter takes great pride in honoring veterans.