Best in the nation

A simply written, yet eloquent, poem written by a 12-year-old Du Quoin girl has won first place in the national Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) writing competition.

Winner Rachel Gomes is the daughter of Jesse and Jackie Gomes of 755 North Lake Drive in Du Quoin. Equally gifted children include Grace, 17, a pharmacy student, Caleb, 15, David, 10, and Jonathan, 10.

The competition is part of the DAR's national American heritage writing program. The local competition was sponsored by the Beaucoup Chapter of the DAR.

Rachel's writing, a poem entitled "Investing in America's Future" says that how we live our lives personally is how we live our lives as a nation.

And, to adhere to America's core values of a strong work ethic, personal integrity and doing more than what is asked of us makes us better as a person and better as a nation.

The poem won first place in regional judging, won first place in state judging, won first place in multi-state divisional judging and ultimately won the first place national award.

The Gomes family is one of the most academically gifted and community-minded families in Du Quoin. At every turn, this family excels.

The award was personally presented by Judy Cook and Lois Cravens of the DAR to Rachel at the Gomes home on Thursday.