The Constantia Chapter of the Daughter of the American Revolution has awarded four high school students with honors for hard work in school and extra-curricular activities.

The Constantia Chapter named Nansemond-Suffolk Academy senior Brooks Mears its citywide Good Citizen award, giving him a $500 scholarship.

The members look at two areas of criteria for the Good Citizen award — a submitted essay, worth 30 percent, and a resume of the student’s grades and involvement in extra-curricular activities, worth 70 percent.

To be considered, Mears first was nominated by the students, teachers and staff members at NSA. He also wrote an essay on what he considers the greatest challenge facing America. He chose education.

“I’ve always felt that we as a country talk about what all would be fixed if we fix education,” he said. “If we fix education, we can fix a lot of other problems.”

Mears was honored at the DAR meeting May 12, where he read his essay for some of the members.

“It’s definitely an honor,” he said. “I know there was a wide variety of others that could be selected.”

In the fall, Mears plans to attend the University of Virginia and study engineering.

Another Nansemond-Suffolk student also was the recipient of a DAR scholarship.

Senior Kelly Manno was awarded second place in the 2011 Virginia DAR American History Scholarship.

To apply, Manno wrote an essay on why she loves history and how she hopes to use that love in her career.

Originally, the award for second place was a $500 scholarship, but the state DAR decided to increase the prize to a $1,500 scholarship.

Manno will attend The College of William and Mary in the fall. She hopes to became a history teacher for either high school or college students.

Nansemond River High School junior Natalia Perez also entered a history essay to be considered by the DAR. The chapter selected Perez’s essay as the local winner.

The local DAR chapter also honored Lakeland High School senior Taylor Jones, whom the members named as Outstanding ROTC student.

The DAR will present Jones with a special medal that she will be able to wear on her ROTC uniform.

Jones was selected by her school to be honored by the DAR. The group invited Nansemond River and King’s Fork high schools to also select ROTC students, but they have not received their nominations yet.