MENDOTA - Mendota High School has announced the winners of the 2018-19 DAR and SAR Good Citizens program, sponsored locally by the Illini Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Katie Beetz was chosen to receive the DAR award and Breyden Lindenmeyer received the SAR.

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

Beetz is the daughter of Zachary and Michelle Beetz of Mendota. While in high school, she has participated in National Honor Society (president 2018-19), Band (secretary 2017-18), Band (president 2018-19), Lion’s Club 4.0 Award Recipient (2016-18), Treble Choir (2015-16), ILMEA District 2 Junior Chorus (2015), Concert Choir (2016-19), ILMEA District 2 Senior Chorus (2017-18), Marching Band Leadership Team (2017-18), Marching Band (2015-19), Concert Band (2015-19) and Jazz Band (2016-19).

Outside of school, her activities include Sunday school, tutoring after school twice weekly, working as a YMCA Day Camp counselor (summer 2018) and spending any extra time with friends and family.

Community Service

As a member of the National Honor Society, Beetz has been given the opportunity to tutor students in Mendota public schools and found working with kindergarteners to be a very rewarding experience. She has especially enjoyed seeing the students grow and learn each week and looks forward to continuing her work with them.

She will also assist with the National Honor Society’s upcoming Dodgeball Tournament, which will benefit the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry. All proceeds from the event will go to the food pantry to help those in need within the community.

As a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beetz has been able to observe and take part in events that have made a difference. One example was her participation in the annual Kids Against Hunger food packing event, in which prepared meals were packed and sent to kids and families in need around the world.

Future Plans

Next fall, Beetz plans to go away to college, although the specific school is undecided. While at college, she plans to spend the first two years earning prerequisite credits before being accepted into a nursing program and earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She then hopes to work in a hospital for about two years before returning to school to become a nurse practitioner. As a practitioner, Beetz wants to specialize in pediatrics and eventually open her own practice.

In addition to her career and education, Beetz hopes to travel and “engage in all the world has to offer.” She is interested in studying abroad during her college years to gain an understanding of the world. Once her schooling is done and her career in place, she would like to get married and have a family.

In her essay on the four qualities of a DAR Good Citizen (dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism), Beetz said these traits are important to her. “I believe these are some of the key qualities of someone who is truly dedicated to making a difference within a community. These are all qualities I have strived to possess for as long as I can remember. Being a dependable person means that the people in your life can rely on you. They trust you because you have proven that you are worthy. Service is a very large part of my life as well. Having the privilege to help people and give all that you are able is both rewarding and fulfilling. Another important aspect of my life is leadership. People who are leaders lift up those around them and help them succeed. Leaders don’t let their own needs get in the way of what is best for everyone involved. Leaders listen to what others have to say.”

Breyden Lindenmeyer is the son of Rusty and Amy Lindenmeyer of Mendota. During high school, he has participated in football (4 years), basketball (2 years), baseball (4 years), honor roll, Scholastic Bowl, FFA and was a homecoming attendant sophomore and senior years.

Lindenmeyer’s community service activities have included volunteering with the Mendota Optimist Club, Peer Ministry Group and helping to raise money for the infusion room at the hospital to benefit cancer patients. He also worked at the Mendota Golf Course.

Looking to the future, Lindenmeyer plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.

In his essay on the four qualities of SAR (dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism), Lindenmeyer said all four qualities are very important in his life, but one is more important to him than the others. “That quality is leadership. I try to show leadership not just in the sports I play, but also in everyday life and normal activities. I also pride myself on dependability and showing up to work hard every day, even if I’m tired or just not feeling it that day. I also believe that patriotism for your country is important, because it shows that you love your country and everything in it including your peers. Service towards your community is very important to me as well. I believe that service for your community and country go hand in hand with patriotism and the love you have for your country and community. These four qualities show that love and commitment to benefit others and not just yourself.”