Toni Bolling Lutter

Again this winter, scholarships have taken front and center as Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) prepares for annual awards. In keeping with its objective of securing our nation’s future through support for education, Gila Butte Chapter in Sun Lakes works locally, statewide, and nationally to select scholars in search of financial support for higher education.

For the past 10 years, Gila Butte Chapter has offered $1,000 scholarships to graduating senior women in local high schools through the chapter’s permanent endowment fund. The recipient must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, plan to enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours in a Maricopa County Community College, and show a history of civic responsibility and an understanding of America’s founding principles. The scholarship(s) is called Gila Butte Patriots Scholarship in honor of all the chapter’s Patriots of the American Revolution.

The Arizona State DAR also offers scholarships. For information, go to arizonadar.org. At the national level, DAR awards multiple scholarships annually in a wide variety of fields from education, to history and political science, to medicene and nursing. Applicants must be U.S. citizens planning to attend accredited colleges and universities. Application is online. For information, go to dar.academicworks.com.

DAR has three objectives: historic preservation, education, and patriotism. DAR scholarships work toward fulfilling George Washington’s Farewell Address appeal for “the general diffusion of knowledge.”

Gila Butte Chapter meets in Sun Lakes and actively seeks members who are women over the age of 18 and can prove direct bloodline lineage to a patriot of the American Revolution. Expert genealogical assistance is available. For membership information, please call 706-255-4847 or go to the website gilabutte.arizonadar.org.