Leading with Character: Kaylin Pickett Wins State DAR Good Citizens Essay Contest

Senior Kaylin Pickett is the state winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizens Essay Contest! The announcement was made at the One Hundred Twenty-Eighth Georgia State Society Conference, held at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia. State Chair Frances Cunningham Gipson presented Pickett with the award.

Director of College Counseling Dr. Brandy Corbett offered high praise for Pickett’s achievement. “She embodies the ideals of the DAR Good Citizens Award - truthfulness, loyalty, punctuality, trustworthiness, cooperation, courtesy, service, self-control, responsibility, the ability to inspire others, and sound decision making. She excels academically, leads with integrity, serves with compassion, and elevates every environment she enters,” said Corbett. “She is not merely an outstanding student; she is a young woman of vision, character, and purpose.”

Pickett’s journey began with her nomination by the TFS history department, which selects one senior each year to apply for the scholarship. After being chosen, she completed a rigorous essay-writing process. “All of my English classes at TFS helped prepare me. First, to use my voice and not let it be drowned out by superficial writing, and second, to present it in a professional manner and keep my voice in it through the process,” she said.

In her essay, Pickett connected key DAR values to her own experiences in community service, leadership, and dependability. She highlighted her work tutoring students, her commitment as a member of the TFS softball team, her leadership as president of the National Honor Society, and her involvement as a huddle leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Reflecting on the importance of leadership, she wrote, “It is important to have leaders in the world because leaders take the initiative to talk about and follow through with the things others would not. I have tried to exhibit leadership through accepting challenging opportunities and creating my own opportunities.”

The competition begins at the district level, where Pickett submitted her essay and resume to the Tomochichi Chapter. After winning at the district level, she advanced to the state competition. “After winning the district level, I was invited to attend a luncheon at the state conference. Lynne Ramsaur from the Tomochichi chapter, Pickett, and her parents, and Dr. Corbett attended the luncheon. “It is such an honor to receive this award,” she said. “It is the first time the chapter has had a winner. I am happy to make the Tomochichi chapter proud. I am proud to know that I got my voice out there.”