DHSS Press Release |
Date: May 28, 2003 DHSS-46-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Allison Taylor Levine Phone: (302) 255-9037 Pager: (302) 247-8523 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2003 GOVERNOR'S YOUTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS CEREMONY
15 Individuals and 7 Groups of Young People to Be Recognized Tomorrow Evening
Tomorrow evening, Thursday, May 29, 2003, Governor Ruth Ann Minner will honor 15 individuals and 7 groups of young people from around the state for their outstanding volunteer and community service to Delaware. Governor Minner will present the 2003 Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards at a dinner ceremony at the Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Avenue, Dover, 6-8:30 p.m.
Approximately 425 students, parents, teachers, administrators and friends are expected. Members of the media are invited to attend.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of young people who are improving the lives of Delawareans," said Jane Rattenni, event coordinator for the Division of State Service Centers' State Office of Volunteerism. "These youth are really making a difference through volunteerism and community service."
These outstanding young people participate in such diverse activities as counseling their peers on the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse; building houses for the homeless; serving as mentors and friends to younger students; visiting the elderly, sick and disabled; organizing and collecting items for the needy (food, clothing, toys, shoes and household items); and leading environmental and public safety programs. These award recipients are representatives of Delaware's youth who are making a positive contribution to society and inspiring others to do the same.
Joining Gov. Minner will be Valerie A. Woodruff, Secretary of Education. The Dover High School Chorus, directed by Thomas Dean, will provide entertainment. For more information on the Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards or about the dinner ceremony, please contact Jane Rattenni at 302-255-9687.
Below is a list of the young people being honored, including some from your community.
2003 GOVERNOR'S YOUTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
| Name/Group Name | Service Area | School | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Aaron | Education to decrease teen smoking and alcohol abuse | Brandywine High School | Loretta Weisberg, Brandywine High School 302-479-1602 |
| Christine Evans | 4-H beautification and agriculture, visit the elderly, mentor to younger students | St. Ann's School | Gloria Hahn, St. Ann's School 302-652-6567 |
| Timothy Evans | Kids Who Care Club at H.B. Middle School, various community service activities. | H.B. DuPont Middle School | Ruth Evans, Advisor to Kids Who Care Club 302-239-3420 |
| Matt Halterman | Volunteer service at Brandywine Zoo and Brandywine Creek State Park. Nicknamed the "Zoo Guy." | Home Schooled | Jill Karlson or Barbara Woodford, DNREC 302-571-7850 |
| Diana Kim | Mentors Korean students to overcome language barrier and acclimate to new surroundings. | John Dickinson High School | Patricia Fullmer, John Dickinson High School 302-992-5500 |
| Meghan Pasricha | Dedicated to anti-tobacco initiative in Delaware involving youth in her school, state, and Indo-American Youth Group. | Sanford Upper School | Sheri Towner-Gabrelckik, American Lung Association of Delaware 302-655-7258 Or State Senator Liane Sorenson 302-577-8714 |
| Carl Wright, Jr. | Organized group of high school students to address hunger and homelessness after he befriended a homeless woman named Darlene. | Christiana High School | Virginia Carr 302-652-3621 |
| Howard High School Community Mural Project | Beautification partnership with 150 HS students, local arts & garden organizations, Eastside Wilmington citizens and City of Wilmington. | Howard High School | Stanley Levine, Howard High School 302-571-5424 |
| Kids Who Care of H.B. DuPont Middle School | Various community service projects selected by Middle School students | H.B. DuPont Middle School | Ruth Evans, Kids Who Care Club 302-239-3420 |
| Students of Mrs. Mamberg's Community Service Class | Three young ladies volunteer with severely disabled adults at Mary Campbell Center. | Gratz Hebrew High School and Brandywine High School | Vivian Mamberg 302-428-0337 |
| Skyline Middle School Bookbuddies | Middle School students are reading buddies and mentors to younger students at Heritage Elementary School; 10-year relationship | Skyline Middle School | Linda Lonergan, Heritage Elementary School 302-454-5807 |
| Name/Group Name | Service Area | School | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Elliott | 4-H, Special Olympics, other Human Service activities. | Lake Forest High School | Linda Sullivan, Harrington Sunshine 4-H Leader 302-422-9626 |
| Daniel Larson | Honor Roll student who volunteers daily at local elementary school working with 4th grade students; lost his father at young age, works part time and is an Eagle Scout. | Dover High School | Tammy Augustus, North Dover Elementary School 302-672-1980 |
| Jennifer Melvin | Volunteers with Delaware Teen Court, Special Olympics and raised funds for 9-11 victims. | Caesar Rodney High School | Cheryl Schmidt, RN 302-697-8112 |
| Jessica Stubbolo | Volunteer leader and role model volunteers with Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). | Caesar Rodney High School | Glen Stubbolo, Holy Cross CYO Track & Field 302-739-3197 |
| Kent County 4-H Habitat for Humanity Group | Group raised funds to travel to Florida to finish Habitat House. | Various Kent County schools | Heather Gooden, 4-H Advisor 302-730-4000 |
| PolyTech Air Force JROTC | Collected & donated items which were assembled into Emergency Preparedness Kits and distributed to Kent County senior citizens | PolyTech High School | MSgt Dan Lettieri, PolyTech AF JROTC 302-697-3255 |
| Name/Group Name | Service Area | School | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonide Blanchard | Mentor to Haitian Students. Volunteers to teach English as a Second Language at Seaford High School. | Seaford High School | Dr. Michael Smith, Seaford High School 302-629-4587 |
| Angela Jankowski | Honor Society student volunteers with seniors, domestic violence efforts, walk-a-thons. | Cape Henlopen High School | Cheryl Jankowski 302-266-8750 |
| William Leonard | Physically disabled, he volunteers at school, church and Beebe Adult Day Care. | Cape Henlopen High School | Kathy Schlitter, Beebe Medical Center Adult Day Care 302-226-2160 |
| Kayla Martell | Peer educator, teaching drug prevention to at-risk youth, tobacco prevention & education, and meeting the needs of the hungry. | Dover High School | Rhonda Martell, Kent County Cooperative Extension 302-730-4000 |
| YELL Club at North Georgetown Elementary School | Group of students advocating for highway safety and educating peers about dangers of substance abuse. | North Georgetown Elementary School | Cathy Showell and Meg Booth, North Georgetown Elementary School 302-855-2430 |
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
