Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Students Take Home Awards from the Big E

Delaware FFA members from across the state brought home national awards from The Big E in Springfield, MA, last month.

The Big E is an annual event that begins on the second Friday after Labor Day and runs for 17 days. Eastern States Exposition is not owned by any specific individual or group and is organized as a not-for-profit, educational institution under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its governing body is a volunteer Board of Trustees consisting of distinguished civic, business and agricultural leaders from each of the six New England states.

During The Big E, Delaware FFA members competed in 16 Career and Leadership Development Events as well as the Agriscience Fair. The following Delaware FFA Chapters were in attendance:

  • Appoquinimink FFA
  • Delmar FFA
  • Lake Forest FFA
  • Middletown FFA
  • Odessa FFA
  • Redding Middle FFA
    Smyrna FFA
  • Smyrna Middle FFA
  • Sussex Central FFA
  • William Penn FFA
  • Woodbridge FFA

Multiple teams and individuals earned top five placings. To see a full list of the Delaware FFA results, click here: Delaware FFA Big E Results.

In addition to competing in Career and Leadership Development Events, three Delaware FFA members participated in the Regional Stars selection process.

Cole Murphy, Lake Forest FFA, was selected as the Eastern Regional Star Farmer.

Faith Hewes, Smyrna FFA, was selected as the Eastern Regional Star in Agriscience.

Roarie Glen-Russum, Smyrna FFA, was selected as a finalist for the Eastern Regional Star in Agricultural Placement.

Members who conducted Agriscience Fair projects were also recognized for their efforts. Sanaa McDonald, William Penn FFA was awarded the top prize. For the complete list of the Delaware FFA Results, click here: Delaware FFA Big E Results.

Delaware FFA is a leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and other related career fields. For more information, please visit the FFA web site at www.ffa.org or contact Dr. Bart Gill, Delaware FFA state advisor, at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us.


DIAA Names 2022-2023 Dale Farmer State Champions in Sportsmanship Winners

Eleven schools are being honored for sportsmanship this week by the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA).  The Dale Farmer State Champions in Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to schools that have demonstrated a strong school community commitment to the educational nature of interscholastic athletics.

 

The 2022-23 Dale Farmer award is being awarded to the following schools:

 

Caesar Rodney High School (13)

Caravel Academy (14)

Charter School of Wilmington (10)

Concord High School (14)

Middletown High School (7)

Mt. Pleasant High School (7)

Newark Charter High School (8)

Sanford School (12)

Sussex Tech High School (17)

Talley Middle School (2)

William Penn High School (25)

 

*The number listed beside each school denotes the total number of times the school has won the award

 

“Sportsmanship is the cornerstone of athletics.   The DIAA lives by the moto of ‘Education through Athletics’ each and every day.  The Dale Farmer award recognizes those member schools who embrace the DIAA philosophy and incorporate ‘Education through Athletics’ throughout their athletic programs.  I am pleased to recognize those educational institutions that embrace and teach sportsmanship,” DIAA Executive Director David Baylor said.

 

Thirty-seven different member schools have won the award at least once in its 25-year history. For award consideration, schools must submit a portfolio to DIAA. The DIAA sportsmanship committee reviews the school submissions against a set of standards. The process is demanding and involves the total school community.

 

“Sportsmanship is essential to a positive interscholastic athletic experience for students, coaches, and fans.  Programs that cherish and value good sportsmanship pave the way for positive and productive adults,” said James Connor, DIAA Sportsmanship Committee chair.  “The life lessons learned on the athletic competition surfaces prepare our youth to make a powerful impact in our world.  Congratulations to all of our award winners!”

 

The Dale Farmer State Champions in Sportsmanship award is named in recognition and memory of Dale Farmer, the first executive director of the predecessor to DIAA and the 2016 recipient of the DIAA Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

For media inquiries contact Alison May at Alison.May@doe.k12.de.us. For more information, contact DIAA at 302-857-3365.

 


Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Students Take Home Awards from Delaware State Fair

Over 400 Delaware FFA members from across the state convened at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in July to participate in the Delaware State Fair. During the state fair, both high school and middle school members competed in career and leadership development events, exhibited livestock, assisted at various supporter food booths, in conjunction with the Delaware 4-H donated over 875 lbs. of produce to the Food Bank of Delaware, and were recognized for their efforts throughout the past year during the Annual Delaware FFA Fair Breakfast, sponsored by East Coast Seeds. High school members competed in 15 Career Development Events and middle school members competed in 12 Career Development events. See the top 10 individual results and top five team results.

Members and chapters were recognized for their great work on the construction of various types of displays: Ag Products Display, Landscape Display, Horticulture Display, and Educational Display. See a complete list of the display winners.

During the annual Delaware FFA Fair Breakfast on Friday, July 28, 2023, members were recognized for their accomplishments in their respective Career Development Events, the FFA Fair-tastic award was presented to the Milford FFA Chapter, and the prestigious Abbott Award was presented to Mason Foxwell from the Milford FFA Chapter. Senator Chris Coons was in attendance and provided special greetings. Following Senator Coons greetings, the Delaware FFA presented the coveted Honorary State Degree to Governor John Carney, Secretary of Education Dr. Mark Holodick, Indian River Custodial Staff member Mr. Chris Blackburn, and Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association’s Ms. Valann Budishack. The honorary state degree to presented to individuals who have continuously supported the Delaware FFA Association and its members. Coastal Equine and Livestock Supply was recognized with a State Appreciation Award for their continued support of the Delaware FFA Members.

A highlight of the annual fair breakfast is the recognition of the State Star Greenhand and the State Star Chapter recipients. This year’s recipient of the State Star Greenhand was Ava Gallo from the Lake Forest FFA Chapter. This year’s State Star Chapter was Taylor Wallace from the Smyrna FFA Chapter.

Members who conducted Agriscience Fair projects were also recognized for their efforts. The following Agriscience Fair projects have been selected as a National Finalist (top ten) and will represent Delaware FFA at the National FFA Convention and Expo:

 

FPPS Systems – Div 6 – Team – 11-12 Grade Briana Spradlin and Sean Dixon Laurel
Plant Systems – Div 5 – Indiv – 11-12 Grade Faith Hewes Smyrna
Social Systems – Div 4 – Team – 9-10 Grade Kayla Parks and Pablo Serey Christiana

 

For a complete list of Agriscience Fair participants, see the top 10 individuals and top five team results.

National Chapter Awards were also presented the following chapters were named Three Star chapters by National FFA:

Lake Forest FFA Smyrna FFA Milford FFA

Milford FFA was also selected as a Premier Chapter: Building Communities Finalist.

Delaware FFA is a leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and other related career fields. For more information, please visit the FFA Web site at www.ffa.org or contact Dr. Bart Gill, Delaware FFA state advisor, at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us.

 

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


Future Educators Win Big at National Conference

Future educators from Smyrna High School were named national champions at the Educators Rising National Conference.

 

In total, 18 individual or teams from Delaware were recognized with Top 10 honors.  Smyrna High School had 11 individuals or teams place in the Top 10 and was crowned 2023 National Champion.

 

Delaware Teacher Academy students and advisors from across the state attended the 2023 Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando.  Delaware was represented by students from Appoquinimink School District’s Appoquinimink High School, Brandywine School District’s Concord High School, Cape Henlopen School District’s Cape Henlopen High School, Indian River School District’s Sussex Central High School, Laurel School District’s Laurel High School, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District’s Howard High School of Technology, Red Clay Consolidated School District’s McKean High School, Seaford School District’s Seaford High School, Smyrna School District’s Smyrna High School and Delaware Technical Community College.

 

Throughout the conference students were able to engage in professional and personal development opportunities, networking and competitive events.  Educators Rising competitions are performance-based competitive events in which aspiring educators demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and leadership in education.

 

Seaford High School’s Taylor Jenkins was elected as the national vice president of service.  Jenkins is only the third student in Delaware to be elected as a national officer with Educators Rising.

 

To learn more about the Delaware Educators Rising visit www.delawareedrising.org  or contact Michael Hill-Shaner at michael.hill-shaner@doe.k12.de.us.

 

JV Division
Student School Competition Place
Brianna Kalb Smyrna High School Exploring Student Support Services 4th
Malika Opelogo Concord High School Creative Lecture (TEDTalk) 4th
Alexandra Passero Smyrna High School Exploring Non-Core Teaching Careers 1st
Mekenzie Square-Ward Smyrna High School Job Interview 1st

 

Varsity Division
Student School Competition Place
Faith Givens, Caroline Ricketts, & Jessica Marie Price Laurel High School Ethical Dilemma 8th
Madison Williams, Elizabeth Nix, & Madison Retzlaff Smyrna High School Inside Our Schools 6th
Leah Bonsignore Smyrna High School Public Speaking 6th
Abigail Long Smyrna High School Impromptu Speaking 6th
Marlayna Pennington Smyrna High School Job Interview 5th
Olivia Marzullo Sussex Central High School Job Interview 4th
Zachary Naar Cape Henlopen High School Exploring Non-Core Teaching Careers 4th
Taylor Colman Smyrna High School Educators Rising Moment 3rd
Allexi Steele Smyrna High School Creative Lecture (TEDTalk) 3rd
Emma Kate Reist Cape Henlopen High School Exploring Student Support Service Careers 3rd
Hailey Ennis Smyrna High School Exploring Student Support Service Careers 2nd
Madison Retzlaff Smyrna High School Exploring Education Administration Careers 2nd
Gala Meseguer-Molina Laurel High School Children’s Literature – Spanish 1st

 

Collegiate Division
Student School Competition Place
Victoria Henry & Celina Lombardi Delaware Technical Community College Children’s Literature 1st

 

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


First State Students Earn Innovative Honors at National STEM Conference

Students and advisors from across the State of Delaware joined more than 8,000 national members at the 45th Annual Technology Student Association (TSA) conference that was hosted in Louisville, Kentucky last week. The First State delegation represented 130 of Delaware’s finest student leaders from Caesar Rodney High School, Cab Calloway School of The Arts, Fred Fifer Middle School, H.B. duPont Middle School, Indian River High School, Magnolia Middle School, MOT Charter High School, Newark Charter School, Newark High School, Odyssey Charter School Postlethwait Middle School and Sussex Central High School.

 

Students competed in individual and team events such as: Architecture; Podcasting; Biotechnology; Board Game Design; Career Prep; Coding; Cybersecurity; Data Science and Analytics; Video Production; Dragster Design; Extemporaneous Speech; Fashion Design and Technology; Flight Endurance; Foundations of Information Technology; Future Teacher; Manufacturing Prototype; Microcontroller Design; Photographic Technology; Solar Sprint; Software Development; STEM Animation; Structural Engineering; System Control Technology; Technology Problem Solving; VEX Robotics; Video Game Design; Virtual Reality Visualization (VR); and Website Design and more.  Honors for the Delaware delegation include:

 

Achievement Awards

  • Samhitha Vallury of MOT Charter School recognized for service as secretary of Technology Student Association inc.
  • Samra Iqbal of Caesar Rodney High School recognized for service as reporter of Technology Student Association inc.
  • Roger Seedorf of MOT Charter School recognized as High School Teacher of the Year
  • Laura Barnas of Postlethwait Middle recognized as Middle School Teacher of the Year
  • Mike Fitzgerald from the Delaware Department of Education recognized as the National State Advisor of the Year

 

National Top 10 Finalists

  • Desen Basara of Caesar Rodney High School earned 1st place in Essays on Technology
  • Shiven Reddy and Youg Patel of Newark Charter High School earned 3rd place in Technology Problem Solving
  • Nathan Hryniewicz of Newark Charter High School earned 5th place in CAD Engineering
  • Arnav Angra of H.B. duPont Middle School earned 7th place in Foundations of Information Technology
  • John Barnas, Zachary Barnas, and Mason Lenoir of Postlethwait Middle School earned 7th place in Video Game Design
  • James Carroll and Audrey Houghton of Newark Charter High School earned 10th place in Forensic Science
  • Ethan Ho, Chase Polk and Noah Veron of Newark Charter High School earned 10th place in System Control Technology

 

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) dedicated to students interested in advancing the future of technology, invention, innovation, design, and engineering. Through TSA, members gain the opportunity to participate in STEM focused competitive events, take part in community service work, and become leaders for the organization at the school, state, and national level. TSA incorporates co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork. To learn more about the Delaware Technology Student Association visit: www.detsa.org or contact Mike Fitzgerald by phone at (302) 735-4015 or via email at mike.fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us. A list of all international finalists can be found online at TSA Competitive Event Finalists.

 

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