Press Contact:

Christina M. Hardin-Dirksen

Chief of Community Relations, DSHA

Phone: (302) 739-4263

Email: Christina@destatehousing.com

Additional photos available at: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/destatehousing/sets/72157645635016177/

DELAWARE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY AWARDS DSHA COMMUNITY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

August 7, 2014 – (Woodside, DE) – On July 30, 2014, Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) honored students in the DSHA housing community for achieving academic excellence by making the honor roll and having perfect attendance, with a luncheon and awards ceremony at Polytech High School in Woodside, Delaware.

First Lady Carla Markell made remarks, praising the hard work and achievement of the students. This year saw our largest class in the history of the program, with 73 students receiving awards, including one Special Recognition for a President’s Award winner and a student continuing his job skills training.

Mrs. Markell congratulated the children and families, “Today is a celebration and we are recognizing your efforts to stay in school and get good grades.  Education is the key to success, so work hard and always do your best.  Remember – there are people in your lives who will always be here to support and encourage you.”

The annual luncheon has been a tradition at DSHA for more than 20 years and serves as a way to recognize the children’s successes and highlight the importance of a support system. While children may still be in the summer vacation state of mind, DSHA rewarded their hard work by giving them a head start on back-to-school shopping with necessary, age-appropriate school supplies as well as some other high-quality items including brand new L.L. Bean backpacks.

First Lady Carla Markell and DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi
with a few of the students recognized at the award ceremony.

“We wanted to honor hard work, responsibility, education and family support by providing a gift for everyone in the family,” said Anas Ben Addi, DSHA Director. “Family support helps students succeed, and we felt that this was an excellent way to help support parents and recognize the children for all that they do together.”

Brooke Giordano, going into 8^th grade, received an award from President Obama for Outstanding Academic Achievement. She is a student at Central Middle School and she is a repeat winner of the Honor Roll award.

Founded in 1983, the President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) honors graduating elementary, middle and high school students for their achievement and hard work. The program has provided individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education to those students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challenging standards of excellence. Each year, thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools participate by recognizing deserving students.
Another special recognition went to Ronnie Woodus, Jr., who graduated from the Charleton School this year.  Ronnie will be going on to continue his education in job skills until age 21.

Left to right: Brooke Giordano, First Lady Carla Markell,
Ronnie Woodus, Jr., and DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi

As part of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Official’s (NAHRO) Housing America Campaign, a poster contest is held each year for children residing in affordable housing sites.  This year’s theme was “What Home Means to Me.”  Delaware’s 1st place winner was Quneek Monay-Yvette Wilson, a 5^th grade student from Dover.

  
Governor Markell and Quneek in the Governor’s Office

The poster was framed and presented to Mrs. Markell at the luncheon. Governor Jack Markell was on hand Wednesday for the official ceremony to hang the poster in the Governor’s Office.
The Governor said, “We are honored that Quneek chose to gift the poster to the people of Delaware. It looks beautiful on the wall, and serves as an important reminder to all of us that safe, stable housing is an integral part of our efforts to strengthen and improve the opportunities for our future generation.”

About the Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it is also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call: (302) 739-4263 or visit our website at: www.destatehousing.com

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