In his weekly message, Governor Jack Markell talks about Delawareans who have been working hard to help our state compete in the global economy…and on reality television.

“So many people around the country have had a chance to see some inspiring Delawareans, who used their time in the spotlight to bring attention to some of the talent, creativity and drive that helps define our state,” said Markell.

The University of Delaware’s Deltones a cappella group recently finished in the Top 10 on The Sing Off, and other Delawareans have represented the state on a national stage: Master Chef winner Jennifer Behm, Cake Boss winner Dana Herbert, Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione, thousands of volunteer Delawareans on Extreme Home Makeover and the creative volunteers behind the upcoming Punkin Chunkin.

Highlights of the 2010 Punkin Chunkin will air on the Science Channel this Saturday for “Chunk-O-Ween,” and the 2011 special will be simulcast on the Discovery and Science Channels on Thanksgiving.  Governor Markell recently changed his Twitter and Facebook profiles photos to a pumpkin head to highlight this unique event.

“But more importantly, when the lights are off and the camera crews have moved on – these Delawareans stay committed to giving back to the place they call home,” continued Markell.  “Because, while life may look glamorous in prime time (unless you’re on Survivor) the truth is, these have been tough times for our nation.”

The Governor thanked fellow Delawareans for the hard work they do every day in their jobs, their homes, their schools and their communities, including the hundreds of thousands of hours given to help our neighbors through efforts like https://volunteer.delaware.gov.

“The hard work most people put in, day in and day out – the commitment they make each morning to making their families and their communities stronger – may not make for exciting television but makes for a much brighter future for all of us, and helps keep our great state moving forward.”

About the Governor’s Weekly Message:
At noon every Friday, a new video message is posted to the Governor’s website and YouTube channel and is distributed to Delaware media outlets.   Transcripts of the messages are posted and the audio version of the Governor’s message is available on iTunes as a podcast for distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.   The Governor’s weekly message is currently being carried on the air and posted on websites by various media outlets, and the direct link is:   http://youtu.be/TLVM20NvTBY

Constituents, media outlets and others are free to link to the Governor’s video message on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/user/GovernorMarkell – or on his Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/governormarkell – or on the Delaware State website at http://governor.delaware.gov/information/podcast_video.shtml.  All are also invited to follow him on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/governormarkell – and submit ideas through http://ideas.delaware.gov.

Transcript of Governor Markell’s Weekly Message

Somebody told me years ago that if you’re watching yourself on a reality television show, something in your life may have gone terribly wrong. And, if it hasn’t, it very well may before the episode is over.

Recently, a great group of Delawareans have been proving that advice wrong.  They have taken a format that can bring out the worst in people – and used it to bring attention to some of our state’s best.

How about the University of Delaware’s own Deltones and their Top 10 finish on “The Sing Off ”   …they clearly have bright futures ahead of them.   We’ve also seen this season’s “Master Chef” winner Jennifer Behm and Cake Boss winner Dana Herbert – who are steadily building their own businesses.

And great downstaters like Dogfish Head Beer genius Sam Calagione on his season of “Brew Masters” – and thousands of Delawareans who donated their time or resources to a good cause during Extreme Home Makeover.

So many people around the country have had a chance to see some inspiring Delawareans, who used their time in the spotlight to bring attention to some of the talent, creativity and drive that helps define our state.

But more importantly, when the lights are off and the camera crews have moved on – these Delawareans stay committed to giving back to the place they call home.   Because, while life may look glamorous in prime time – (unless you’re on Survivor) – the truth is, these have been tough times for our nation.

Times we’ve had to pull together, to look past our differences and focus on what we can do, together, to get people working, to strengthen our schools, and our resolve – to donate our time and our talents to make stronger this great state of neighbors.

There’s the hundreds of thousands of hours people have given to help through efforts like https://volunteer.delaware.gov.   Parents volunteering time in schools.  Or kids committing themselves to mastering critical subjects like math, science and reading so they can compete – not to be the next American Idol — but to be the next great American entrepreneur or employer.

The hard work most people put in, day in and day out – the commitment they make each morning to making their families and their communities stronger – may not make for exciting television but makes for a much brighter future for all of us, and helps keep our great state – moving forward.