The annual partnership between Chastain and OHS raises awareness for the dangers of driving under the influence.

DOVER, Del. (April 18  2024) — NASCAR driver Ross Chastain and the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) continue their years of partnership to educate Delawareans on the dangers of driving under the influence and to raise awareness for the devastating outcomes that accompany DUI crashes. From April 25 through 27, OHS and Ross will host three community engagement events throughout Kent and Sussex counties, with the hopes that Delawareans join them for autographs, DUI trivia, and other safety activities and discussions. The now-annual partnership highlights Ross’ dedication to ensuring he’s reaching fans and fellow Delawareans, encouraging them to “Use Your Melon” and plan for a sober ride home after drinking.

The “Use Your Melon” campaign aligns with the OHS “Drive Sober, Arrive Alive” messaging, as both raise awareness for the impacts that driving under the influence have on the driver, passengers, loved ones, and Delaware community. By using your melon and considering the repercussions of your actions—in this instance, driving under the influence—you have the power to save a life and ensure that everyone on the road Arrives Alive.

As an eighth-generation watermelon farmer, Ross’ partnership with OHS is natural, creatively aligning OHS’ important safety messaging with his family history and passion for agriculture. OHS and Ross decided to host the first community engagement event at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, inviting Delawareans to discuss driving responsibly while also raising awareness for Delaware’s agricultural history. During the 2024 partnership, Ross and OHS will reach tens of thousands of Delawareans with DUI messaging, encouraging them to make smarter choices on Delaware roadways.

“A single individual’s decision to drive under the influence of alcohol can have a profound impact on multiple lives,” said Sharon Bryson, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “Therefore, we are committed to spreading awareness about road safety and preventing DUI crashes. We are pleased to collaborate with Ross Chastain once again and appreciate his support in making Delaware roads safer for everyone.”

Ross will join OHS for the three community events, where he’ll sign autographs. OHS will have a DUI trivia wheel available at each location, testing people’s knowledge on driving under the influence and providing statistics to help them grasp the impact that DUIs have on Delawareans. Additionally, the Delaware Department of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement’s driving simulator will join some events, showing people what it’s like to drive after having a few drinks. Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will also be present at certain events, joining the OHS crashed car which is used to show Delawareans the results of driving under the influence.

Statistics

Throughout the year, OHS implements the “Drive Sober, Arrive Alive” campaign to educate Delawareans on the dangers and devastating outcomes that accompany driving under the influence. In Delaware, from 2019 to 2023:

• There were 5,504 impaired-driving crashes, involving 246 fatalities and 442 serious injuries.
• 41% of traffic fatalities were related to impaired driving.
• Males ages 35 to 44 were involved in the most DUI crashes.
• 41% of impaired driving crashes occurred on Saturdays and Sundays.
• 47% of impaired driving crashes occurred between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Impaired drivers put everyone at risk. Impairment starts before 0.08 BAC, but you should never get behind the wheel if you’ve had a drink. If you plan to drink, make sure you have a safe way home.

Community Engagements

Beginning on April 25, Ross Chastain and OHS will appear at three Delaware locations. Delawareans will have the opportunity to meet the NASCAR driver and speak with OHS about the dangers of driving under the influence.

• Delaware Agricultural Museum, Dover. April 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Georgetown Speedway, Georgetown. April 26, beginning at 6 p.m.
• Grotto Pizza, Dover. April 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Media Contact:
Meghan Niddrie
Meghan.Niddrie@Delaware.gov
302-744-2517 (office)
302-535-1031 (cell)

Three Delaware schools have earned the Purple Star School designation, recognizing them for their commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

The 2024 recipients are Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School and Dover Air Force Base Middle School and First State Military Academy charter school. The three schools were honored today as Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The Month of the Military Child is a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“We owe military families a debt of gratitude we can never repay,” said Governor Carney. “I was proud to join Delaware’s three Purple Star schools to recognize their outstanding support of their military-connected students.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said, “Military members’ children often face unique challenges because of their family members’ service. Their parents or caregivers may deploy overseas and/or they may transition schools frequently as their families’ military stations change. I commend our schools for recognizing these unique needs and providing the extra supports these students need.”

For example, the designation requires schools to have an active peer transition program. Both Dover Air Force Base Middle School and Caesar Rodney High School meet this requirement by implementing the Anchored4Life program. While this program looks slightly different at the varying grade levels, its primary focus remains the same. The peer-to-peer club helps youth cope with transitions and changes, such as moving to a new school, dealing with family challenges, or overcoming academic barriers. The club aims to teach and reinforce life skills, provide growing opportunities, and build confident leaders who inspire others.

At First State Military Academy, a peer transition team reaches out to new military-connected youth when they arrive at the school. A student connects with the new cadet and matches the cadet with buddies who give the new student a tour of the campus and make sure the cadet has a connection in each class. One student who transferred mid-year said the student buddies helped him feel more comfortable: “It is easier to talk to kids your age or around your age.”

To be designated as a Purple Star School, the school must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or other support programs.

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

A team from Wilmington’s Cab Calloway School of the Arts won the annual Junior Solar Sprint competition held at Delaware State University. Left to right above, three members of the Cab Calloway team celebrate the school’s second straight Junior Solar Sprint Championship: Ashvin Sharma, Chetan Kasukurthi and Viraj Mehta. /DNREC photo

Middle School Students Build, Race Solar Vehicles

Cab Calloway School of the Arts from Wilmington accumulated the most points in combined design, portfolio and race competitions to earn first place in the 2024 Junior Solar Sprint held today on the campus of Delaware State University. Holy Cross School of Dover came second in the competitions, while Sussex Montessori School of Seaford was third.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) teams up with the Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA) for the event each year. Students in grades 5 through 8 work with classmates and teacher advisors over several months to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels.

“We are proud to partner with the TSA to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through the annual Junior Solar Sprint,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Expectations are high for the competitors each year, and students once again rose to the occasion in their creativity, teamwork and head-to-head race competition.”

Dayna Cobb, Director of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, said the annual Junior Solar Sprint is an event the Division looks forward to hosting each year. “Climate change is pushing the state, nation and world to find solutions by developing clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere,” she said. “The Junior Solar Sprint demonstrates how, by working together, we can achieve positive results in tackling the environmental challenges we face today, and which we will continue to face in the future.”

Students received points for project portfolios, overall design and fastest speed in a timed competition. The team accumulating the most points wins. TSA-affiliated teams also can earn the opportunity to represent Delaware against other students from around the country in the national TSA conference, which is being held in Orlando, Florida in June.

Teams from five Delaware schools participated in the 2024 competition, including Las Americas ASPIRA Academy, Newark; Cab Calloway School of the Arts; Holy Cross School; May B. Leasure Elementary School, Newark; and Sussex Montessori School.

Competition results:

The all-around winners for combined speed, design and portfolio presentations were:

• 1^st place: Team #2, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee, Viraj Mehta and Ashvin Sharma from Cab Calloway School of the Arts;
• 2^nd place: Team #10, Kehllan Thomas, Luke Curley, Gavin Reed and Sam Shevok from Holy Cross School
• 3^rd place: Team #7, Brayden Nichols, Joellen Reinke and Liam Cannon from Sussex Montessori School

Top results from the double elimination races were:

• 1^st place: Team #7, Brayden Nichols, Joellen Reinke and Liam Cannon from Sussex Montessori School
• 2^nd place: Team #2, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee, Viraj Mehta and Ashvin Sharma from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• 3^rd place: Team #10, Kehllan Thomas, Luke Curley, Gavin Reed and Sam Shevok from Holy Cross School

Top results from the design competition were:

• 1^st place, Team #8, Cadence Wahl and Keira Clarke from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy;
• 2^nd place, Team #10, Kehllan Thomas, Luke Curley, Gavin Reed and Sam Shevok from Holy Cross School;
• 3^rd place, Team #6, Rhys Scott, Portia Jalloh, Nypha Gatimu and Sakari Watson from May B. Leasure Elementary School.

Top results from the portfolio competition were:

• 1^st place: Team #2, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee, Viraj Mehta and Ashvin Sharma from Cab Calloway School of the Arts;
• 2^nd place: Team #6, Rhys Scott, Portia Jalloh, Nypha Gatimu and Sakari Watson from May B. Leasure Elementary School;
• 3^rd. place: Team #8, Cadence Wahl and Keira Clarke from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy.

Visit de.gov/solarsprint for more information on the Junior Solar Sprint.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has recognized 93 public school students from the Class of 2024 as Secretary of Education Scholars.

Governor John Carney and other state leaders joined Holodick last night to celebrate the students during a dinner in Dover.

“This represents one of the highest academic achievements a student can earn in a Delaware public school,” Holodick told the students, who were joined by their families and school and district leaders. “Every scholar here has achieved incredible success in and out of the classroom – ranging from extraordinary accomplishments on school athletic teams to community service and school leadership positions. These students balance all of these demands of their time and still are able to study and excel academically.”

Check out this video showcasing the students and their self-reflections on what inspired their success.

The scholars also are being recognized on a website to showcase their outstanding achievements. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools.

The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984. The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals nominate the students based on their academic records, school leadership and community service.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Health Fund Advisory Committee (HFAC) announced applications are now available for Fiscal Year 2026 and are due July 15.

This is a change from previous years when Delaware Health Fund applications went live in June and closed in August.

The application went live on Monday, April 15, which will still allow applicants to have three months to complete applications. Committee members will have about five weeks to complete a thorough review before public hearings begin.

Applications should be submitted electronically to Juliann.Villecco@delaware.gov and cc: Susan.Bailey@delaware.gov. The application should be sent as a PDF with the organization’s name at the beginning of the file name.

The Delaware Health Fund is a special fund comprising all annual payments received pursuant to the Master Settlement Agreement entered into by the State of Delaware and the Participating Tobacco Manufacturers.

For more information, and to view the application online, visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/healthfund.

Any questions should be directed to Jules Villecco at Juliann.Villecco@delaware.gov.