Mya MacRae feels that a person can truly be a good citizen based on the way they live their everyday life. No dramatic accomplishments are necessary, “just a general desire to be compassionate and tolerant indiscriminately.”
The recent Redmond High graduate was named the 2017 Washington State Good Citizen Winner by the Washington State National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
The David Douglas Chapter of Redmond selected MacRae as its DAR Good Citizen scholarship recipient, and she took the state title after competing with 38 other state DAR chapter winners.
Judges gave MacRae the nod based on academic achievement, extra-curricular activity and community participation, as well as an essay answering the question, “Our American heritage and our responsibility for preserving it: how do the combined actions of many good citizens keep our nation moving forward?”
“It was definitely a surprise to win at the state level, but I was very excited and honored,” said MacRae, who tallied a final high school grade-point average of 3.82.
“The main thing I’ve learned is how rewarding it is to serve others. A lot of the things I did for leadership were behind the scenes, but I have found I genuinely enjoy being a part of something that benefits a lot of people,” she added.
In the school-leadership realm, she was Redmond High’s Associated Student Body public relations officer, managing all the school’s social media and other forms of communication. She also participated in National Honor Society, and the figure skater coaches Learn to Skate classes.
MacRae, who will attend Chapman University in the fall and major in public relations and advertising, received scholarships from the Washington State Society, the David Douglas Chapter of Redmond, as well as a commemorative pin and certificate.
“After college, I hope to work for either a nonprofit or political campaign, since I think I can use my communication abilities to benefit a bigger cause,” she said.
The Bear Creek School’s Timothy Chong was also named a 2017 DAR Good Citizen.
