Avery Wilson, of Langley, was presented with the Good Citizen Award on Saturday, March 15. The award, given to Wilson by the Daughters of the American Revolution South Whidbey Chapter, rewards and encourages good citizenship in the community.

Wilson said she was in shock after learning of the honor.

“I was not expecting that at all,” she said. “I’ve never won anything so incredible and important in life.”

Wilson, 19, is a freshman at Edmonds Community College studying business information technology, and plans to complete a bachelor’s degree in either veterinary medicine or forensic science at Brigham Young University Idaho.

Wilson said winning the award helps her know she is on the right track.

“It means I do have a purpose in life and I’m doing the right things,” she explained.

The South Whidbey Chapter has given the award each year since its inception in 1994.

Sally Buckingham said Wilson has done remarkable work training a service dog and wrote an exceptional essay for the application.

“It was amazing,” Buckingham said of the essay. “She connected her ancestors who were farmers to what she’s trying to accomplish today — promoting patriotism in this country.”

“And making it possible for someone to have a normal life with a service dog is very commendable,” Buckingham added.

The Daughters of the American Revolution meet every third Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Puget South Energy payment center, 1794 Main St., Freeland.

For details, email sally.buckingham2@gmx.com