Contributed

The Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the 2018-19 Good Citizen Award to high school seniors Klara Ogg, Lauren Weisensel, Ellen Simons and Karen Nicole Bates.

These students were chosen by their schools for exemplifying the qualities of a good citizen: dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

Klara Ogg, the daughter of Tim and Jeannie Ogg, is a student at North Hills Christian School and plans to attend Southern Wesleyan University.

Klara is a student athlete with a number of academic and service recognitions including National Honor Society and all conference in basketball and soccer. She is involved in her church and community, working with Special Olympics, Rowan Helping Ministries and Operation Christmas Child. According to her nominators, Klara strives to lead by example and promotes and upholds the values on which this country was founded.

Karen Nicole Bates, the daughter of David and Angela Bates, is a student at North Rowan High School. She plans to attend Appalachian State University to become a social worker.

She has played sports for four years while at North Rowan, earning all-conference status in tennis. She is also academically gifted and earned membership in the National Honor Society and was a member of Crosby Scholars. Nicole spends time volunteering in her community including being a camp counselor at Happy’s Farm, a camp and after-school program that tutors children.

Lauren Weisensel, daughter of David and Rebecca Weisensel, was a December graduate of East Rowan High School. She is attending Pfeiffer University and hopes to earn a master’s degree in health care administration.

Lauren has excelled academically, earning membership in the National Honor Society and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Leadership Honor Society. She also competed at the North Carolina Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership conference, where she achieved “Top 10” in the state. She was a varsity athlete in soccer and tennis. She has been active in the school and community as a volunteer for Novant Health and Special Olympics. Lauren’s record has earned her a reputation as a dependable and helpful young woman, according to her nominators.

Ellen Simons, daughter of George and Georgia Simons, is a student at Salisbury High School. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and major in business.

Ellen was valedictorian of her graduating class. She was active in the community, including Junior Civitans, Junior Rotarians and the Salisbury Youth Council. She ran indoor track and cross country and played soccer. Ellen was named all-county and all-conference in soccer and cross country. She also received the Rotary Club Athletic Award.