Hussein named Delaware’s finalist for second consecutive year

Wilmington, Del. (March 7, 2024) – Following a spirited competition featuring eleven talented high school students from Delaware, Maiss Hussein, a senior from Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School, emerged as the 2024 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion. The exhilarating state finals took place on February 29th, 2024, at the Smyrna Opera House. Joelle Caternor from Smyrna High School secured the first runner-up position, while Jono McGarvey from Delaware Valley Classical School claimed the second runner-up title.

This victory marks Maiss as only the third participant in Delaware’s 18-year involvement with the program to secure consecutive wins. Reflecting on her achievement, Hussein remarked, “My first win was unforgettable, but the second time around has left me in awe. It feels like I’m still in shock!”

Hussein’s captivating recitation of “If They Should Come For Us” by Fatimah Asghar earned high praise from the adjudicators. The profound poem can be explored on the Poetry Foundation’s website.

In an ode to Maiss’s exceptional achievement, Jessica Ball, Director of the Division of the Arts, remarked, “Maiss Hussein’s victory is not just a triumph for her, but a testament to the power of poetry to transcend and inspire. We are immensely proud of her accomplishment and look forward to witnessing her shine on the national stage.”

As the 2024 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion, Maiss will be awarded $200 and the esteemed opportunity to compete at the National Finals in Washington, D.C., scheduled from April 30th to May 2nd, 2024. Furthermore, Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School will receive a $500 stipend for the acquisition of poetry materials. Joelle Caternor, the first runner-up, will be granted $100, and Smyrna High School will receive $200 for its school library.

The Poetry Out Loud state competition, presented by the Delaware Division of the Arts in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, serves as a pivotal platform encouraging high school students to delve into great poetry through memorization, performance, and spirited competition. A recording of this year’s Competition can be found on the Division’s YouTube page.

For further details regarding the competition and a comprehensive list of state finalists, kindly visit our website.

Photo Credit: Sam Wilson, Moonloop Photography

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

The Division will provide up to $200,000 in matching funds to its FY2024 arts organization grantees in conjunction with the event

Wilmington, Del. (February 29, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to support the arts sector through Delaware’s largest day of giving, Do More 24 Delaware, on March 7-8, 2024. Now participating for the fourth year, the Division will provide up to $200,000 in matching funds to its FY2024 arts organization grantees in conjunction with the statewide giving day event. The Division’s “stretch pool” funds will be awarded to grantees who fundraise through the domore24delaware.org website over the 24-hour fundraising period starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 7 and ending at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 8. Do More 24 Delaware is organized by United Way of Delaware and Spur Impact Association.

Thanks in part to the Division’s support in 2023, Do More 24 Delaware raised more than $2.3 million in 24 hours from 17,000 unique donors supporting 500+ Delaware nonprofits and it is hoping to be just as successful this year, if not more. Division funds will again be allocated to its participating grantees through this year’s Do More 24 Delaware campaign.

Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts states, “I encourage the public to invest in the arts and support the cultural vitality of Delaware during DoMore24. Your donation to arts organizations will help the arts thrive and your gift unlocks additional funding for the organizations through a special grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Your gifts can shape the future of the cultural sector in our state.”

Charlie Vincent, Executive Director of Spur Impact states, “Having a robust arts and culture sector remains paramount to communities and families throughout Delaware. We are appreciative that the Delaware Division of the Arts supports Delaware’s largest giving day event and the larger effort to raise more awareness and money for these arts organizations and grow the creative economy. Every donation made to one of these arts organizations gets stretched a little further thanks to the Division, and we are excited to see how the larger community rallies in support of their favorite nonprofits again this year.”

To see which Delaware arts organizations are participating in Do More 24 Delaware, or to see the full list of 600+ Delaware nonprofits participating in the fundraising event, people can visit Do More 24 Delaware’s Find a Cause to Support page.

The Delaware Division of the Arts remains committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. This partnership with Spur Impact, United Way of Delaware, and the Do More 24 Delaware planning team continues to provide a great opportunity to work together in fostering philanthropy in support of the arts.

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About the Delaware Division of the Arts

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

About Do More 24 Delaware

Founded by United Way of Delaware in 2016, Do More 24 Delaware is a one-day event during which nonprofits across the state participate in an around-the-clock friendly competition to raise incremental funds that go directly to participating agencies. In 2019, Spur Impact joined the effort in hosting Delaware’s largest giving day. Nonprofits create their own outreach activities to engage supporters and compete for additional cash incentives funded by corporate and foundation donors. 

 About United Way of Delaware

Founded in 1946, United Way of Delaware (UWDE) works to advance the common good by focusing on three key areas: Grade Level Reading, College and Career Success and Financial Empowerment. UWDE is engaged in a long-term strategy to eliminate the root causes of the most pressing social problems in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. UWDE is also responsible for the United Way brand in Salem County, New Jersey. For more information or to support UWDE, visit www.uwde.org, follow us on Twitter @UnitedWayDE, or on Facebook at UnitedWayofDelaware or call (302) 573-3717.

About Spur Impact Association

Spur Impact Association is a Delaware-based nonprofit whose mission is to be the premier hub developing, engaging, and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders by fostering connections with people, nonprofits, and businesses to promote growth personally, professionally, and philanthropically. Spur Impact also hosts #MILLSUMMIT, one of the nation’s fastest growing and largest young professional hybrid conferences held annually. Delaware Gives (DEGives.org), a free online donation platform, is another channel that Spur Impact supports Delaware’s nonprofits. 

Wilmington, Del. (February 26, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents Aaron Keith Hoffer’s exhibition, “Unspoken Trajectories,” on view from March 1-28, 2024. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, March 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Hoffer’s show will include dozens of abstract paintings ranging in size from large canvases to small works and sketchbooks. The paintings in the show will invite viewers’ imaginations to wander and discover meaning, similar to how one might study clouds and find shapes.

Hoffer starts his paintings with an abstract layer made by adding shapes and lines with no result in mind. The artist then spends time studying the first phase and responds with a new layer after the work reveals a direction. He deliberately uses materials that are not intended to go together to achieve unusual visual effects.

“I work backwards from cacophonous overstimulation, allowing subjects to emerge. I then cross from spontaneous to exacting, carefully cultivating concrete imagery. Emerging subjects are tinged with my reverence for the absurd and contradictory nature of consciousness and reality,” Hoffer said.

Hoffer started mixing different materials out of necessity by using what he had and what was free when he started this practice a decade ago. Today, he continues the practice of combining incompatible materials to surprise himself and create novelty.

Hoffer received a 2024 Emerging Fellowship in Painting from the Delaware Division of the Arts. He works and teaches painting and drawing at the Dover Art League.

The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.

Images in the banner: Pink Skull, 2022, mixed media on polystyrene, 10” x 10”; The Panel, 2021, mixed media on board, 6” x 9”; Cobra Spell, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 16” x 20”.

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

Twelve students to compete to advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC

Wilmington, Del. (February 27, 2024) – Delaware’s Poetry Out Loud State Finals returns to the Smyrna Opera House on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 6:00pm. Twelve student finalists will compete for the opportunity to represent Delaware and advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC from April 30-May 3, 2024, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed. The event is FREE to the public and seating is limited.

At their school, students selected and recited works from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems. Their teachers or facilitators ran their school’s local Poetry Out Loud competition that then selected a winner to be moved on to the state finals.

 “Congratulations to the twelve talented and creative high school students who have been selected as finalists in the 2024 Delaware Poetry Out Loud competition,” says Division Director Jessica Ball. “Your hard work and passion for the arts is truly inspiring. The arts play a critical role in creating well-rounded individuals, fostering imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills that are essential to success in all aspects of life. Keep up the great work and we can’t wait to see where your passion for the arts takes you in the future.”

The twelve finalists are:

2024 Delaware State Semi-Finalists

Jono McGarvey, Delaware Valley Classical School

Grace Sullivan, MOT Charter High School

Olivia Stevens, Mount Sophia Academy 

Maiss Hussein, Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School

Hunter Brown, Red Lion Christian Academy

Abigail Ehemann, Saint Mark’s High School

Perrin Brown, Sanford School

Joelle Caternor, Smyrna High School

Harrison Dabbs, Sussex Academy of Arts & Sciences

Nife Anawo, Sussex Central High School

Caliana Velasquez, Sussex Technical High School

Jamie Feldman, Wilmington Friends School

Those wishing to watch the event from the comfort of their own home can do so via the link below.

Poetry Out Loud—presented in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and Poetry Foundation—is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.1 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud.

At their school, students recite works selected from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems. Judges will evaluate student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy. The National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation have created free, standards-based curriculum materials to support Poetry Out Loud including a teacher’s guide, lesson plans, an online anthology, posters, and video and audio on the art of recitation. These resources are available for free at PoetryOutLoud.org.

The Delaware state champion will receive $200 and will advance to the national finals next spring where $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends will be distributed. The representing school or organization of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for their school or organization. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

Tariah Hyland selected as the 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recipient

Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Monday announced that Tariah Hyland, a resident of Wilmington, has been selected for the prestigious 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. The award, in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis, recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean who has demonstrated leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community.

“Tariah’s commitment to bettering her community and empowering other young leaders along the way exemplifies the late Congressman’s values and mission,” said Secretary of State Bullock. “Young folks are rising to the challenge to make a difference every day. This was evident by the number of outstanding nominations we received for this nominating period. I am proud that my office can recognize changemakers each year for their passion and hard work in making long-lasting impacts.”

The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of the late Congressman John Lewis. His courageous achievements during the Civil Rights Movement and his long tenure of public service have inspired and will continue to inspire Americans for generations to come.

Hyland has been recognized for her instrumental role in legislative change. She actively participated in the passage of House Bill 198, which required the inclusion of Black history and culture in Delaware’s K-12 school curriculum. Collaborating with legislators and other young students during her time at St. Georges Technical High School, Hyland’s efforts helped push the state to take steps towards addressing historical inaccuracies and promoting diversity in education. Championed by State Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker, House Bill 198 was signed into law by Governor John Carney in 2021.

“It’s such an honor to not only be a part of this work but recognized for it as well, especially in the name of such a legend—Congressman John Lewis,” said Tariah Hyland, 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Recipient. “This is only the beginning of the journey ahead. I’m especially grateful to my village for their countless support for me throughout this journey.”

During her time at St. Georges Technical High School, Hyland co-founded the Delaware Black Student Coalition, which aimed to empower underrepresented voices. Despite initial resistance from her school to start a Black student club, Hyland’s persistence led her to co-create a platform for Black students across Delaware to advocate for change, push back against systemic oppression, and push for a more equitable educational experience. In addition, Hyland has remained committed to empowering youth leaders through her work. As a mentor and teaching assistant for TeenSHARP and co-facilitator of the Proximity Project, Hyland teaches advocacy skills to young students, building a foundation for future leaders to authentically address civil rights issues.

Hyland was nominated for the 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award by Atnre Alleyne, Founder of the Proximity Project, a diversity and inclusion firm that helps organizations build deeper and more authentic connections with marginalized communities.

“Tariah has been making ‘good trouble’ since I first met her in high school. She has helped get a law passed requiring Delaware schools to teach Black history. She helped create a statewide coalition of Black students, co-facilitates diversity trainings, and she rallies her college peers to become engaged voters. She is the perfect young leader to receive the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award and I’m immensely proud of her,” said Atnre Alleyne, Founder of the Proximity Project.

Hyland is a junior at Howard University majoring in political science with a minor in legal communications. She serves as the vice president of the University’s College of Arts and Sciences, the institution’s largest college. She is also the President of the Howard University Chapter of Black Girls Vote, an organization focusing on empowering Black women to participate in the democratic process. Hyland has previously interned with renowned organizations and elected officials, including Results for America, the office of U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Emerson Collective, TeenSHARP, and the Proximity Project. Her achievements include recognition as an AT&T Rising Future Maker and a Target Scholar.

Nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award are open in the fall of each year.

Eligibility requirements for the Award include:

• The nominee must be a resident of the State of Delaware.
• The nominee must be 25 years or younger by the close of the application submission window.
• The nominee is recognized in their community for being civic-minded and improving the quality of life in their community.
• The nominee has shown a meaningful commitment to address civil rights issues, including but not limited to voting rights, and to authentically bring about positive change in his or her community.

Submissions for nominations for the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award will open later in the year. To learn more about the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, visit de.gov/johnlewisaward