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

Aspiring Delaware health care workers will represent the First State at a national leadership conference this summer after winning state awards last week.

More than 1,000 middle and high school students participated last week in the 13th annual HOSA State Leadership Conference at Wilmington University. HOSA members earning a medallion qualify for the International Leadership Conference June 26-29, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Delaware HOSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) dedicated to students who are interested in pursuing their future in a career in healthcare. Through HOSA-Future Health Professionals, more than 1,300 Delaware members have the opportunity to participate in career focused competitive events, take part in community service, and become leaders for the organization in their school, state, and at the international level. HOSA-Future Health Professionals incorporates curricular and co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork.

A list of all state award winners and events is located at delawarehosa.org. To learn more about Delaware HOSA, please contact Peg Enslen by email at: peggy.enslen@doe.k12.de.us.

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

Two students will represent Delaware at the 61^st National Youth Science Camp.

Arya Gupta, a junior at Red Clay Consolidated School District’s Charter School of Wilmington, and Kati Li, a senior at Newark Charter School, will attend the camp from June 29 to July 20 in the mountains of West Virgina.

Gupta is the co-founder of International Genetically Engineered Machine Team, which will be competing at the 2024 Grand Jamboree in Paris.  Gupta is the co-founder of Women’s Empowerment Club and a student leader in the Youth Environmental. She also is a member of the Charter School of Wilmington Swim team and YMCA junior nationals swim team. She has 230 community service hours at many different organizations including the Brandywine Zoo, Multiplying Good, Sojourners’ Place, Spanish National Honor Society, CAB SMArt Summer Camp.

Li, a National Merit Scholarship finalist, has volunteered since 2020 for Delaware Diagnostics Lab. She was a paid summer chemical engineering intern at the University of Delaware.  She has held several leadership positions such as vice president and outreach director of Apollo: Youth in Medicine, state secretary and state treasurer of Delaware Technology Student Association, and Multicultural Club president. She participated in the First Tech Challenge Team 18739-ITNH. She also is a member of Business Professionals of America, Science Olympiad and HOSA. She also is an accomplished violinist.

Hosted in Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia since 1963, the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a residential science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising leaders and provide them with opportunities to engage with STEAM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities. Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state and the District of Columbia.

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

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin toured the YES! event to talk with students, including Newark Charter School sophomores Zahra Ali and Zimo (Alina) Wang. /DNREC photo.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) once again joined Delaware’s Youth Environmental Summit (YES!), with Secretary Shawn M. Garvin delivering the opening plenary to kick off the 2024 event. The student-led conference, sponsored by DNREC, was held on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall Conference Center in Newark.

“Today I was able to interact with young people engaged in activities that will improve and ensure our Earth’s health into the future,” said Secretary Garvin. ‘DNREC has been pleased to support the Youth Environmental Summit since its inception in 2020. It is a great opportunity for students to learn how to make an even more significant impact.”

He also encouraged the students at the summit to apply what they have learned about critical issues such as climate change, clean water, and environmental justice, as well as considering environmental careers in STEM fields.

YES! not only provided a forum to learn from guest speakers, like Secretary Garvin, but also encouraged students to network with peers, exchange ideas, and collaborate on action plans for their schools and communities. About 35 colleges and universities, nonprofits, and agencies, including DNREC, exhibited at the conference, providing information and resources to students.

“Our student leaders are dedicated to action. Talk is great, but action is better. YES! is learning, educating, advocating, and progressing towards a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future,” said Runyi Liu, the 2024 YES! student leader chair. “It’s time to take a LEAP for environmental advocacy!”

YES! was created by a coalition of educators from Delaware high schools, non-profit environmental organizations and public agencies. The inaugural conference in February 2020 was attended by more than 270 students from 20 Delaware schools representing all three counties. In 2023, more than 500 students from 33 schools from across the state attended the summit. DNREC is a fifth-year sponsor of the event.

YES! was entirely free of charge and included lunch. It was open to Delaware high school students and educators who advise school teams.

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, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

YES! Media Contact: Dee Durham, CEO, Plastic Free Delaware, deedurham@dca.net, 302-981-1950

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PHOTO: Lyla Jones of Brandywine Springs Elementary (at right) was the State winner for the 2023 poster contest.

Contact:
Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service

(302) 698-4551  ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

DOVER, Del. (February 1, 2024) – The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest is designed to increase an appreciation and awareness of the important role that trees play in our quality of life, communities, ecosystems, and our state. The Arbor Day Poster Contest is a fun way to celebrate Arbor Day with your students.

This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific…for Outdoor Adventures!” is intended to highlight the importance of getting outside. Ample data exists to document that when children and adults spend more time outdoors, they become healthier, less stressed, more connected to nature, and better stewards of the environment. There are many activities that can be enjoyed outdoors, and trees and forests can enhance the experience. At a Delaware State Forest, for instance, you can explore, camp, hike, fish, birdwatch, ride bikes, read a book, or just take time away from your busy lifestyle. Even if you don’t have access to a forest, trees can be found in so many parts of our daily lives. Trees exist in parks, schoolyards, and backyards and can serve as the central focus of many outdoor adventures!

Delaware’s Official Arbor Day is Friday, April 26.

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school. Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes will receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school.

The 12 winners will be invited to the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney. A tree-planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day. This year, the teacher of each of the 12 poster winners will receive a “Tree Trunk” of outdoor learning resources.

The deadline to register is March 9, with entries submitted by March 22.

Register to Participate and Receive Seedlings:

2024 Arbor Day Poster Contest – Google Form

Contest Guidelines and Teacher Resources:

Guidelines and Resources – Shared Google Drive

SEEDLING ANNOUNCEMENT: We have been notified by the tree nurseries in the tri-state area of a projected shortage of tree seedlings this year. Some species have already sold out due to the increase in reforestation projects happening in our area. Participation in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest has also increased to the point that giving seedlings away may not remain sustainable (what a problem to have!). We will do our best to fill the orders until we run out of seedlings. If you do not think the majority of your students will be able to plant their seedlings, consider declining the offer to receive them.

This year the Delaware Forest Service is also celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday. Smokey wants everyone to enjoy their Outdoor Adventures wherever they may take you. As families are encouraged to spend time outdoors, Smokey’s timeless message reinforces the need for civic responsibility while enjoying Delaware’s precious natural resources. You can share the story of Smokey Bear with your students by participating in the National Smokey Bear Reading Challenge at a local library near you!

Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Trees planted today will benefit our communities tomorrow by improving air quality, serving as sound barriers, moderating air temperatures, reducing energy consumption, and filtering run-off into streams and rivers.

For more information, contact: ashley.melvin@delaware.gov