Betsy Dowdy NSDAR annual Good Citizens Award

Gates County High School Student Wins Award

March 14, 2010

GATES COUNTY NEWS -- On Thursday, March 11, 2010, The Betsy Dowdy Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) held their annual Good Citizens Awards at Knobbs Creek Recreation Center, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The Good Citizen Award is available to a senior from each high school as selected by each school, and a certificate and pin was awarded to each participant.

In addition to the selection of the nominee for this outstanding Good Citizen Award, the winner also receives a small gift as a token of appreciation. This year's outstanding senior was Cameron Hill of Gates County High School. Cameron is the daughter of DeAnna Dorsey and resides on Rooks Road in Gates, North Carolina.

The Betsy Dowdy Chapter of NSDAR is organized with 56 members living in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Every year the chapter has a Constitution Week Celebration at Waterfront Park in Elizabeth City along the Albmarle Sound. Activities include a salute by Veterans of Foreign Wars, a flyover by United States Coast Guard helicopters and a reenactment of Betsy Dowdy's ride.

On April 17, 1937, the name, "Betsy Dowdy," was selected for the NSDAR chapter to commemorate the patriotic deed of a 16-year-old North Carolina girl who rode her "Banker pony' from the coast to warn the Colonial army's headquarters of British troop movement.

In December 1775, British troops were planning to attack Great Bridge, Virginia, just north of Currituck County, North Carolina. Betsy Dowdy volunteered to ride 51 miles through the night to alert General William Skinner in Perquimans County to rendezvous for the battle of Great Bridge. After winning the battle, Norfolk was soon captured. However, British forces bombarded the city causing the complete destruction of Norfolk on January 1, 1776, marking the end of the British Crown in Virginia.

Lastly, Betsy Dowdy NSDAR is a volunteer women's service organization dedicated to keeping America strong by promoting patriotism, preserving U.S. history and supporting education programs. Regular chapter meetings of the Betsy Dowdy NSDAR are held on the second Thursday of the months of September, November, February, and May. Chapter Meetings are open to the public and this May 13, 2010, Chapter Meeting will be held at Gates County Courthouse, Gatesville, NC. The topic for this meeting will be presented by Wayne Brown on "Indian History" at 10:00 A.M. in the morning.

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