2026 DAR Good Citizen contest winners

Michael William Ballinger, who will graduate next month from Morristown Jr.-Sr. High School, is this year’s winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Contest for Shelby County.

Mary Mott Greene chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) sponsors the Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest annually, which is open to all high school seniors enrolled in state accredited public or private schools. Guidance department staff or teachers select one student as their school’s Good Citizen based on the following qualities: Dependability (truthfulness, honesty, punctuality and so on); Service (cooperation, helpfulness, responsibility); Leadership, and Patriotism.

Ballinger, son of Bill and Allison Ballinger of Shelbyville, was one of four contest participants from Shelby County high schools. He was selected as the county winner after judges reviewed each of the students’ required submissions for the contest that included a written essay on a topic provided by the NSDAR. That topic was “Our nation will celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. Describe how the characteristics of a good citizen help to renew and strengthen the democracy achieved by the Patriots of the American Revolution.”

The Good Citizens also submit a resume of personal accomplishments in school and in the community during their academic careers, letters of reference, and future plans.

Judges evaluate each of the student’s materials and select one Good Citizen to represent Shelby County at the state competition level. The winner at that level continues to the national competition with a winner being announced later this summer.

For the local level of the contest, Mary Mott Greene chapter awards each Good Citizen a DAR Good Citizens pin, a certificate and a graduation cord at their school’s senior awards program.

Ballinger, who plans to attend Purdue University to study Biology and pre-med, will also receive a monetary award having been selected as the county’s overall Good Citizen. His career goal is to become a surgeon.

Additional DAR Good Citizens:

Eli Wrigley Smith, Southwestern Jr.-Sr. High School, son of Liz Ashley Archer of Edinburgh, plans to attend college to study in the field of business to someday work in a company “where I can not only make some good money but also help the world in some way whether that’s through the selling of products that help people or charity.”

Ashlin Darlene Day, Waldron Jr.-Sr. High School, daughter of Tammy Ruth Day of Waldron, plans to attend college and major in elementary education to become a teacher.

Brynne Reece Aukerman, Triton Central High School, daughter of Karla Faith Aukerman of Indianapolis, hopes to someday become an occupational therapist to work in a hospital setting to help patients of all kinds and ages.