USDA-NRCS State Conservationist Kasey Taylor, with Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Meghna Raj Annasagaram, Erica Hong, Claire Andreasen, and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. DNREC photo.

Charter School of Wilmington Team A is the winner of the 2022 Delaware Envirothon competition held today at the St. Jones Estuarine Research Reserve in Dover, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts announced today. Today’s win marks the school’s 20th win in the event’s 27-year history, including an unbroken winning streak since 2002. Peach Blossom 4-H Club came in second place and Odessa High School FFA placed third in the Envirothon competition.

“Today, 10 teams of Delaware students were challenged to apply their environmental knowledge to plan and present inventive solutions to present-day environmental situations – and I would like congratulate all of them for stepping up to the challenge,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “These students are today’s young environmental stewards, and I look forward to seeing them taking leadership roles to help ensure the future.”

This year, the 10 competing Envirothon teams representing six high schools and one 4-H club statewide – Calvary Christian Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Newark Charter School, Odessa High School FFA, Smyrna High School FFA, Sussex Tech High School FFA and Peach Blossom 4-H Club – worked hard all school year to prepare for the event.

Each team answered questions, reviewed specimens, and took measurements in topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land use, wildlife, forestry, air quality and the current environmental issue of “Waste to Resources.” Teams also had to give a seven to 10 minute oral presentation of a scenario based on the special topic. After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2022 state champion. The first place team will represent Delaware at the 2022 North American National Conservation Foundation Envirothon held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in late July.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon and other prizes. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school. The second through seventh place teams received more than $1,300 in special team awards and cash prizes. Special cash awards for the top three teams in air quality, forestry, and soils were provided by the DNREC Division of Air Quality, the Delaware Forestry Association, and the Pocomoke Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official results are as follows:

• First place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Claire Andreasen, Meghna Raj Annasagaram, Erica Hong, Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ and alternate Rujula Brokar
• Second place – Peach Blossom 4-H Club: Brielle Carter, Aidan Garey, Brenna Geidel, Bethany Knutsen and Leighton Webb
• Third place – Odessa High School FFA: Kaelin Desrosiers, Natalie Holdren, Bruce Macolley, Taylor Mahoney and Ella Vandervort
• Fourth place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team C: Rakshetha Balaji, Mikul Duggal, Arjan Kahlon, Khai McCaskill and Dharshini Senthilnathan
• Fifth place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team B: Amogh Baradwaj, Siddhi Dinavahi, Pargya Singh and Michaela Somers and Joanna Tan
• Sixth place – Newark Charter High School CliMates: Samita Bomasamudram, Anna Gliwa, Amber Gray, Jared Murray and Benjamin Schultz
• Seventh place – Calvary Christian Academy: Dawson Shahan, John Thomas, Michelle Thomas, Elijah Washington, Kayleigh Young

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $62,500 in scholarships to 125 students. The event is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local districts. A program of the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts, the Delaware Envirothon is also sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

More information can be found at www.delawareenvirothon.org.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Law allows Delaware State University students to apply for four years of Inspire Scholarships

DOVER, Del. – Joined by members of the General Assembly, educators from Delaware State University, and Delaware State University (DSU) students, Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 90 into law on Saturday. The new law strengthens the Inspire Scholarship program, which offers scholarship assistance for qualifying Delaware high school students to attend Delaware State University.

Senator Brian Bushweller, Representative Stephanie Bolden, and Representative Sean Lynn sponsored the legislation.

The Inspire Scholarship aims to attract achieved Delaware high school graduates to DSU. The new law extends the scholarship program to eight continuous semesters – from six – allowing eligible students to benefit from the program throughout their college career. Some 1,700 students have already benefitted from this program, and returned over 100,000 hours in community service to Delaware.

“The goal of the Inspire Scholarship is to keep Delaware’s best and brightest here learning and growing in our state,” said Governor Carney. “By extending the length of the Inspire Scholarship, we will attract more talented Delawareans to apply for this scholarship, to learn from the incredible faculty at Delaware State University, and to be compelled to stay and succeed in Delaware after graduation.”

“Senate Bill 90 brings to full fruition the Inspire Scholarship at Delaware State University, which was originally sponsored by former State Representative Darryl Scott and myself,” said Senator Bushweller. “The Inspire Scholarship invests in our future by keeping some of our brightest students in Delaware, helping them enter the workforce with low debt or no debt, and making it likelier that they make up the backbone of our economy over the long run. This sort of investment doesn’t just help kids go to college — it’s key to growth in our local economy and the middle class.”

“The Inspire Scholarship Program has helped hundreds of Delaware students – many of whom are first-generation college students – attain a strong, quality education. I am so proud to see this program expand so that students will continue to have the tuition help as they complete their degrees. It is an investment that will prepare them for a bright, successful future,” said Representative Bolden. “It was so energizing to be present with Governor Carney as he signed this legislation at Delaware State University’s 132nd Commencement, and I am excited to see the new opportunities this program will give students. These students are Delaware’s future.”

“By fully investing in the Inspire Scholarship Program we are empowering Delaware students and supporting them as they pursue their dreams,” said Representative Lynn. “This tuition help is a vital pathway to many students, and will help them post-graduation and beyond.”

“If a Delaware student wants equitable access to a comprehensive degree granting University and the greatest diversity of fellow students, faculty and staff in the region, then Delaware State University is already the best value for them,” said Dr. Tony Allen, Executive Vice President and Provost, Delaware State University. “Adding the fourth year of Inspire makes that value a game changer, ensuring their financial stability during their critical senior year and further promoting our commitment to scholarship and service throughout Delaware communities.”

Read an op-ed from Dr. Wilma Mishoe, Acting President of Delaware State University, on the importance of the Inspire Scholarship.

View more details about Legislative Advisory #26, and all legislation signed by the Governor on his Legislative Advisories page.

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New measures will help libraries coordinate technology resources and offer additional educational opportunities

NEWARK, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed into law House Bill 94 and House Bill 34, legislation that will allow Delaware libraries to further their efforts to coordinate technology resources statewide and offer more educational opportunities to library and archives professionals.

“Delaware libraries have become centers for exploration and innovation – places where people from all walks of life can ignite their passions and unleash their potential. Technology is the lynchpin of the modern library, and I’m proud that libraries across our state are working in such close collaboration to bring those resources to the public,” said Governor Carney. “I’m also proud to continue to honor the legacy of a true champion for our libraries, Ada Leigh Soles, by extending the scholarship that bears her name to more eligible professionals in the library and archives fields.”

The two measures signed into law Wednesday at the Newark Free Library include House Bill 94, which codifies the state Division of Libraries’ responsibility to administer the Delaware Library Consortium. Launched in 2010, this statewide network of libraries has partnered together to improve the quality and accessibility of technological resources available at libraries. The consortium’s efforts include the development of a statewide digital library catalog and the expansion of high-speed broadband internet access to all public libraries, as well as coordinated purchasing of computer hardware and a centralized tech help desk.

House Bill 34, also signed Wednesday, expands the availability of the Ada Leigh Soles Memorial Professional Librarian and Archivist Incentive Scholarship Program to include employees of non-public libraries in Delaware that join the consortium. Established in 2010 as a tribute to the late Newark legislator and tireless advocate for libraries, the Ada Leigh Soles award provides financial assistance to students who work for Delaware libraries and the Delaware Public Archives.

Both measures were approved earlier this year by the General Assembly with unanimous support. Newark-area legislators Representative Paul Baumbach and Senator David Sokola led the effort to pass the bills.

“It is my honor to have sponsored House Bill 34, which enhances the Ada Leigh Soles scholarship, given that Ada Leigh was my state representative when I moved back to Newark in 1990,” said Representative Baumbach. “Just as Ada Leigh was a cornerstone of our community during her tenure, libraries are cornerstones of our communities throughout our state and nation.”

“My mother was passionate about education, libraries and serving her community. A scholarship that helps educate librarians and archivists so that they can serve their communities is the perfect tribute to her,” said Catherine Soles Pomeroy, daughter of Ada Leigh Soles. “Of course, she always said that this type of recognition was just the whipped cream on top of what was a very fulfilling career. But who doesn’t enjoy some whipped cream every now and then?”

New Castle County administers the largest network of public libraries in the state and serves as a key partner in the Delaware Library Consortium. The Division of Libraries, which oversees the consortium, is an agency of the Delaware Department of State.

“Our library system enables countless residents to study, learn, and find work. We are extremely appreciative of the Department of State’s support for technology in libraries across Delaware, including the many libraries in New Castle County,” said County Executive Matt Meyer. “The statewide library consortium formalized through this legislation will provide residents with equal access to the information they need to conduct their daily lives.”

“The Delaware Library Consortium now enables libraries to ‘crowdsource’ community services through a growing network of partner agencies and nonprofits,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian and Director of the Division of Libraries. “Under the leadership of Gov. Carney, we look forward to maximizing these services on behalf of library patrons across the state.”

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The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2016 Delaware Seashore Poetry and Prose Writers’ Retreat. The retreat will be held from November 3 – 6, 2016 at the Cottages at Indian River Marina, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and is open to Delaware residents over the age of 18, not enrolled in a degree or certificate granting educational program. The 2016 participation fee is $300, which includes room and board.

The retreat will allow writers the opportunity to write during the day, attend workshops in the evening, and have all meals provided. The workshops will be led by novelist, H.G. Carrillo, and poet, Diana Goetsch and are designed for participants to generate new work, explore craft, and learn from each other in a safe and supportive environment.

The application process is competitive, and participants will be selected based on the merit of their writing submissions. Work samples will be juried in an anonymous review process to select up to 22 attendees from the pool of applicants, split evenly between poetry and prose.

Delaware residents interested in applying for scholarships, grants and professional incentive loans to pursue a postsecondary education during next academic year school year should visit the Delaware Goes to College website at http://delawaregoestocollege.org/ for the 2016-17 application. This past year Delaware awarded $3.1 million in merit scholarships and incentive loans and more than $6 million in SEED and Inspire scholarships to Delaware students.

New this year, the 2015-2016 Delaware Scholarship Compendium: A Guide for College-Bound Students is available online at http://scholarships.delawaregoestocollege.org/. The online Scholarship Compendium provides students a free, mobile way to find scholarships by category and deadline. Students and parents can search scholarships by eligibility requirements, such as county of residency, ethnicity or race, and profession – about 15 categories in all – as well as alphabetically or by deadline. Users then can drill down for more details, including links to applications.

Instructional videos for navigating the Scholarship Compendium are available in English and Spanish.

• English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1TH5mc0bT8
• Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4U3WDzgYdc&rel=0

Delaware Goes to College also has translated college application forms and materials in Spanish and Haitian-Creole. These documents are available online at:

• Spanish: http://delawaregoestocollege.org/espanol/
• Haitian-Creole: http://delawaregoestocollege.org/haitian-creole/

Graduating high school seniors who plan to attend Delaware State University or the University of Delaware are encouraged to visit http://delawaregoestocollege.org/ for applicable full scholarships (B. Bradford Barnes, Charles L. Hebner and Herman M. Holloway, Sr.) before March 5. Full scholarship offers pay tuition, fees, room and board, and books for full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester).

High school seniors also may apply for the Diamond State Scholarship. The scholarship is portable and may be used for full-time (12 or more credit hours each semester) enrollment at any non-profit, regionally accredited institution. The deadline for Diamond State also is March 5.

SEED and Inspire provide education to eligible Delaware students – from both public and non-public high schools – who earn a grade point average above 2.5 (SEED) or 2.75 (Inspire) on a 4.0 scale. SEED covers full tuition; Inspire covers up to $3,000 per year.

Alison May
alison.may@doe.k12.de.us
(302) 735-4006