MENDOTA – Mendota High School has announced the winners of the 2022-23 DAR and SAR Good Citizens program, sponsored by the Illini Chapter of NSDAR. Isabelle Escatel was chosen to receive the DAR award and Abigail Kunz was the recipient of the SAR award. 

These awards are open to all seniors. The recipients are nominated by fellow senior classmates and the faculty at MHS. Criteria for the DAR and SAR awards include dependability, cooperation, leadership and patriotism. 

Escatel is the daughter of Isidro and Carrie Escatel. While in high school, her extra-curricular activities and achievements have included volleyball, tennis, bowling, Spanish Club, student council, class officer, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Yearbook Club, Prom committee, Homecoming committee, math team, Scholastic Bowl, principal’s office worker, Academic Challenge, Interact Club (Rotary), student handbook committee, beautification committee and Girls State.

She has also been involved as an active member of Mendota Area Senior Services, science lab tech, election judge, Red Cross blood drive volunteer and other services through Interact Club and MASS.

After high school, Escatel plans to attend IVCC for two years with a double major in business management and accounting, and then she plans to transfer to a four-year college. Afterwards, she would like to open her own small business.

In her free time, Escatel enjoys being with friends and family, listening to music, attending concerts, expressing her creativity through art, fashion, painting and ceramics. She also loves spending time outdoors.

Kunz is the daughter of Matt and Stephanie Kunz. Among her extra-curricular activities and achievements in high school are cheerleading, track, marching band, concert band, Madrigal dinner, jazz band, musicals, choir, Drama Club, Scholastic Bowl, math team, Academic Challenge, Interact Club (Rotary), ESSA curriculum committee, lab tech worker, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Illinois State Scholar.

She has also been involved in tutoring, church volunteer, working at her dad’s company and working at Woodhaven.

After high school, Kunz plans to attend IVCC or Augustana College, but is undecided on her career path. She has interest in the medical and engineering fields, and she trusts that God will direct her in the ways He wants her to go.

In her spare time, Kunz enjoys doing Bible studies with friends, going to Starbucks, snowmobiling, organizing, scrapbooking and knitting.