It is important to recognize those in the community who are an essential piece , because when their piece is missing , things do not come together . I have been inspired by those who quietly live their lives , and what this award tries to do is to thank them , ” said Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Jennie May Rehnberg , at an awards ceremony on Jan . 5 .

Rehnberg was present at the Captain Noah Grant Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Vernon to award the “ Essential Piece Community Award” to Connecticut History Teacher of the Year Maureen Festi , and to William McGurk , the president and CEO of Rockville Bank . In addition , the DAR chapter awarded Good Citizen Awards to four local high school seniors .

The Essential Piece Award recipients were introduced by April Staley , regent of the Captain Noah Grant Chapter , who also serves in a position as national vice chairman for New England in the Division of Public Relations and Media .

Maureen Festi , a fifth-grade teacher at Stafford Elementary School in Stafford Springs , was awarded the 2007 Preserve America National History Teacher of the Year award by First Lady Laura Bush , according to a press release provided by DAR .

“ Thank youfor inspiring our students . It is nice to have a teacher who inspires , ” said Rehnberg . “ History has always been Maureen’s favorite subject , even though she remembers her own history classes as dry exercises in memorization . She worked with archivists and museum directors [ at the American History Project at EASTCONN ] and was determined to share her interest in history with her students . Ms . Festi taught her kids to look for the history around them . They explored Stafford’s historical sites , and they searched the town for relics of Stafford’s early iron industry , ” Staley said . Festi is the first elementary school teacher to be named a Preserve America Teacher of the Year .

According to the inscription , the Essential Piece Award “ honors those within the community who exemplify extraordinary courage , strength in character , admirable qualities or achievements for the betterment of our community . ”

William J . McGurk , president and CEO of Rockville Bank since 1980 , was the second recipient of the award . Mc-Gurk’s community service highlights were read : “ He has been an active member of the Manchester Community College Foundation for over 15 years, 10 as treasurer ; he has been an Eastern Connecticut Health Network Trustee since 1995 , and he is past president and an ambassador of the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce , ” Staley said .

Although McGurk said in an interview that it is always nice to be recognized , he highlighted the other award recipients , especially the high school students honored for being good citizens . “ Those who don’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it , and it is so important to recognize the youngpeople , to give them encouragement , ” McGurk said .

“ Each student selected as their school’s ‘ good citizen’ demonstrated outstanding qualities of dependability , service , leadership and patriotism . We are very pleased to present the prestigious NSDAR Good Citizen Awards to these four exceptional students , ” said Carol Nelson , chapter chairman of the DAR Good Citizens and Scholarship Committee .

Rehnberg said that the Good Citizens Award is the equivalent of an Eagle Scouts Award in Boy Scouts . “ The award that youreceive is one of the most recognized awards , and it is the most beloved award of DAR Chapters around the country , ” she said .

The recipients recognized were Mara Dauphin from Rockville High School , Christine Vareed from Tolland High School , David Heavener from Stafford High School and Erica Patrice Begin from Ellington High School .

Heavener said , “ This award is an honor to receive , and it is an honor to be recognized by this group . ”