Delaware Honors Middle and High School Digital Mapping Winners

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick today honored the Delaware winners of the Esri’s 2023 ArcGIS US School Competition.

 

The winners for high school

  • Natalie Lewis
    • Grade 11, Caesar Rodney High School
    • Supporting teacher: Kim Lewis
    • Entry – Dover AFB
  • Alicia Zhang
  • Abigail Sweet & Kaylee McDowell

 

The winner for middle school

 

Past winning entries from Delaware students along with more information is available online here.

 

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


Delaware Natural Resources Police Announce Winners of Youth Fishing Tournament

Delaware Natural Resources Police, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Cpl. William Adkins congratulates the overall Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament winner, Brody Spencer of Sussex County. /DNREC photo

 

More Than 200 Young Anglers Statewide Enjoy Casting a Line

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control today announced the winners of the 37th annual Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament. Hosted by the Delaware Natural Resources Police, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, the event was held Saturday, June 3, at three locations across the state, with more than 200 youth anglers casting their lines at Ingrams Pond in Sussex County, Akridge Scout Reservation in Kent County, and Lums Pond in New Castle County.

Tournament weighmasters on-site at each pond weighed catches for participants ages 4 through 15 as they competed for each county’s top catch and age group titles, as well as the title of overall state winner. The overall winner and Delaware Natural Resources Police Youth Fishing Tournament champion this year was Brody Spencer, age 11, of Dagsboro, who caught 8.52 pounds of fish in Ingrams Pond in Sussex County. The largest fish of the tournament was caught by Kent County winner Bristol Brown, age 10, of Lewes, who landed a 5.6 pound largemouth bass that added to her total of 6.87 pounds of fish at Akridge Scout Reservation near Dover.

This year’s overall statewide winner and county winners will be invited to a special trophy ceremony on Governor’s Day at the 2023 Delaware State Fair in Harrington. The Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation.

New Castle County Winners

At Lums Pond in New Castle County, Michael Hopkins was the day’s overall winner with a total of 3.47 pounds of fish. Other New Castle County winners were:

Ages 4 through 7:
First place – Miles Hopkins, 2.77 pounds
Second place – Fiona Awesome, 2.25 pounds
Third place – Mason Healey, 2.03 poundsPhoto of Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament participant holding a fish.

Ages 8 through 11:
First place – Mackenzie Healey, 1.53 pounds
Second place – Griffith Jordan, 1.28 pounds
Third place – Alexis Talley, 0.94 pounds

Ages 12 through 15:
First place – Theodore Perez, 2.21 pounds
Second place – Tyler Harvell, 1.81 pounds
Third place – Aiden Talley 1.19, pounds

Kent County Winners

Other Kent County winners at Akridge Scout Reservation, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were:

Ages 4 through 7:
First place – Arianna Chaves Torres, 5.47 pounds
Second place – Beau Lindale, 3.72 pounds
Third place – Kohen Marvel, 2.78 poundsPhoto of Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament Trophies./DNREC Photo

Ages 8 through 11:
First place – Dominic Webb, 6.36 pounds
Second place – Carter Mast, 3.37 pounds
Third place – Collin Mesinger, 3.19 pounds

Ages 12 through 15:
First place – Evan Knutsen, 3.92 pounds
Second place – Brennan Ring, 3.43 pounds
Third place – Gianna Velazquez, 2.02 pounds

Sussex County Winners

Other Sussex County winners were:

Ages 4 through 7:
First place – Tristen Wertz, 1.89 pounds
Second place – Ella Elliott, 0.55 pounds
Third place – Piper Vannicola,0.30 poundsPhoto of Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament participants holding fishing rods.

Ages 8 through 11:
First place – John Timmons V, 2.96 pounds
Second place – Caden Timmons, 1.39 pounds
Third place – Gary Shepherd, 0.86 pounds

Ages 12 through 15:
First place – Owen Laux, 5.80 pounds
Second place – Alayna Adkins, 0.47 pounds
Third place – Landon Elliott, 0.08 pounds

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. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Nominations Open for 2023 Young Environmentalist Awards

Environmental advocate Anna Spence, DNREC’s 2022 Middle School Young Environmentalist of the Year./ Submitted photo

 

Nominate a Student Making a Difference for the Environment Today

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is looking for Delaware students who are working to make a difference for the environment, and encouraging teachers, classmates, club or group leaders, family members and others to nominate these students for the 2023 DNREC Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards. Nominations must be based on actions or projects which have taken place between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

“These awards recognize the work of today’s young environmentalists in Delaware, encouraging them and their peers to continue on their chosen path to protect, restore and enhance our natural resources,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Past honorees have ranged from beekeepers and cleanup organizers to young lobbyists and recycling advocates. I look forward to meeting this year’s class and hearing about what they are doing for Delaware – and the Earth.”

Now celebrating its 30th year, the Young Environmentalists program honors Delaware students whose actions and projects have involved one or more of the following: environmental stewardship, initiating an innovative project, increasing public awareness or demonstrating environmental ethics.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, June 30, 2023. A winner will be chosen from each of the following categories: elementary (grades 1 to 4), middle school (grades 5 to 8), and high school (grades 9 to 12). Each category winner will receive a certificate, gift card and prize pack in recognition of his or her contribution to the community.

An awards ceremony is scheduled for Governor’s Day, Thursday, July 27, at the Delaware State Fair, with details to be announced in the summer.

More information and the nomination form can be found on the DNREC website at de.gov/youngenvironmentalists, or email joanna.wilson@delaware.gov.

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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Charter School of Wilmington Wins 2023 Delaware Envirothon Championship

Charter School of Wilmington Team A won the school’s 21st straight Delaware Envirothon championship today at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center on the Delaware Bayshore near Smyrna. Left to right are team members Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Zavior Brown, Dhriti Tattari and Amber Wong. DNREC photo

Charter’s Team A Claims School’s 21st Straight Victory
in Statewide High School Environmental Competition

Charter School of Wilmington Team A is the winner of the 2023 Delaware Envirothon competition held today at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Aquatic Resources Education Center on the Delaware Bayshore near Smyrna. The latest state Envirothon championship marks Charter School of Wilmington’s school’s 21st win in the event’s 28-year history, highlighted by an unbroken winning streak in the Envirothon competition since 2002. Newark Charter High School The Thneed for Speed came in second place, while Odessa High School FFA placed third in the Envirothon competition.

A program of the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts and sponsored by DNREC, the annual environmental education competition is open to high school students statewide.

“Our high school students are today’s environmental leaders. This is helping to show their knowledge and continue to learn,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Congratulations to all the competing team members who applied their environmental knowledge to planning and presenting their inventive solutions to present-day environmental situations.”

The 16 competing Envirothon teams representing nine high schools and one 4-H club statewide – Calvary Christian Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Middletown High School FFA, Newark Charter School, Odessa High School FFA, Polytech High School, Smyrna High School FFA, Sussex Central High School FFA, Sussex Tech High School FFA and Peach Blossom 4-H Club/Lake Forest FFA – worked hard all school year to prepare for the 2023 event held at the Aquatic Resources Education Center managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

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 “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Teams also had to give a 7-to-10-minute oral presentation of a scenario based on the current issue. After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2023 state champion. The first-place team will represent Delaware at the 2023 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon to be held at Mount Allison University in Tantramar (Sacksville), New Brunswick, Canada from July 23 to 29.

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.

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: Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Zavior Brown, Dhriti Tattari and Amber Wong
  • Second place – Newark Charter High School Thneed for Speed: Noah Ali, Samita Bomasamudram, Andre Gill, Anna Gliwa and Sidrisha Sarbajna
  • Third place – Odessa High School FFA: Zach Binnie, Joseph Delaney, Kalena Diaz, Marco Lucia, and Nate Sutton
  • Fourth place – Peach Blossom 4-H/Lake Forest FFA: Ava Gallo, Aidan Garey, Brenna Geidel, Mason Hay, and Justus Moritz
  • Fifth place – Polytech High School Dirt Diggers: Zoe Goodbred, Julianna Korup, Eve-Alexa Mobely, Chloe Smith, and Sadie Vaughn
  • Sixth place – Odessa High School The Under Ducks: Kaelin Desrosiers, Natalie Holdren, Bruce Macolley, Taylor Mahoney, and Ella Vandervort
  • Seventh place – Calvary Christian Academy Climate Heroes: Carolyn Laskey, Tiara Nichols, Dawson Shahan, John Thomas, and Michelle Thomas

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $64,000 in scholarships to 135 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.

In addition to DNREC, the Delaware Envirothon is also sponsored by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Delaware Department of Agriculture – Pesticide Management Section, FMC Corporation, and the New Castle Conservation District.

More information about the annual event can be found at 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, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Holodick Honors Top High School Seniors as 2023 Secretary Scholars

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has honored 92 public school students from the Class of 2023 as Secretary of Education Scholars.

 

The students, joined by their families and school leaders, were honored last night during a dinner in Dover.  See 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.

 

“This is such an impressive group of young leaders,” Holodick said. “The honorees have succeeded academically while also serving as leaders in their schools and communities. As the students themselves shared, their success is due not just to their own hard work but also thanks to the support of their families and educators. As they prepare for college, the workforce and military service, I hope that wherever their next steps take them, their paths lead them to careers in Delaware.  We need them as the future leaders of our state.”

 

The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984.

 

The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals select the students based on both their academic records and community service. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools.

 

2023 Secretary Scholars

District/Charter School Student
Appoquinimink Appoquinimink High School Ansh Desai
Appoquinimink Appoquinimink High School Shivi Royal
Appoquinimink Appoquinimink High School Alexis Skinner
Appoquinimink Middletown High School Allison Aquino
Appoquinimink Middletown High School Allison Kish
Appoquinimink Middletown High School Ella Trembanis
Brandywine Brandywine High School Anand John
Brandywine Brandywine High School Jonathan Pei
Brandywine Concord High School Miles Bliey
Brandywine Concord High School Meera Ratnagiri
Brandywine Mount Pleasant High School Eleanor Frank
Brandywine Mount Pleasant High School Zakia Zara
Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney High School Abigail Cholewa
Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney High School Puiyee Kong
Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney High School Alyssa McCleary
Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney High School Rachel Smith
Cape Henlopen Cape Henlopen High School Abigail Betts
Cape Henlopen Cape Henlopen High School Camryn Cunningham
Cape Henlopen Cape Henlopen High School Colleen Flynn
Capital Dover High School Ellisyn Arthur
Capital Dover High School Kylee Countryman
Capital Dover High School Khushdeep Kaur
Charter School of Wilmington Charter School of Wilmington Mia Lu
Charter School of Wilmington Charter School of Wilmington Nathan Zhao
Christina Christiana High School Olivia Agu
Christina Christiana High School Jayden Murphy
Christina Delaware School for the Deaf Dante Dill-Smith
Christina Glasgow High School Asia N. Mitchell
Christina Glasgow High School Ngoc Khanh Tran
Christina Newark High School Cheyenne Brown
Christina Newark High School Seth Fuhr
Christina Pyle (Sarah) Academy Ketsia Lumiere Donfack-Ouwe
Colonial Penn (William) High School Andrae Amponsah
Colonial Penn (William) High School Evelyn Arnoth
Colonial Penn (William) High School Carson Brown
Colonial Penn (William) High School Lun Kong
Delaware Military Academy Delaware Military Academy Isaac DiMaio
Delaware Military Academy Delaware Military Academy Giada MacNamara
Delmar Delmar High School Sarah Lopatofsky
Delmar Delmar High School Dhara Nakrani
ECHS at Del State Early College School at Del State Mariana Kebaso
First State Military First State Military Natalie Hougentogler
Freire Charter School Freire Charter School Shi-anne Reams-Bennett
Indian River Indian River High School Vicky Chan
Indian River Indian River High School Carley Topper
Indian River Sussex Central High School Eva Cullen
Indian River Sussex Central High School Michael Fagundes-Rocha
Indian River Sussex Central High School Olivia Fox
Indian River Sussex Central High School Sherly Zhu
Lake Forest Lake Forest High School Mary Moller
Lake Forest Lake Forest High School Emilee Rau
Laurel Laurel Senior High School Mirta Angel-Gabriel
Laurel Laurel Senior High School Caroline Ricketts
Milford Milford Senior High School Layna Reynolds
Milford Milford Senior High School Brendan Slonacher
MOT MOT Charter School Maanvi Sarwadi
MOT MOT Charter School Samhitha Vallury
NCCVT Delcastle Technical High School Dariana Fuentes-Ortiz
NCCVT Delcastle Technical High School Rosevanny Ibarra-Sosa
NCCVT Delcastle Technical High School Sa’Niya Watson
NCCVT Hodgson (Paul M.) Vocational Technical High School Cora Hawkins
NCCVT Hodgson (Paul M.) Vocational Technical High School Chloe Ramirez
NCCVT Howard High School of Technology Naomi Mejia
NCCVT Howard High School of Technology Brazil Munroe
NCCVT St. Georges Technical High School Sierra Hammett
NCCVT St. Georges Technical High School Jamal Stewart
Newark Charter Newark Charter School Alexander Barry
Newark Charter Newark Charter School Lila Seiler
Odyssey Charter Odyssey Charter School Charlotte Walder
POLYTECH POLYTECH High School Quinn Sabanayagam
POLYTECH POLYTECH High School Armaan Zahid
Positive Outcomes Positive Outcomes Charter School Jeremiah Waid
Red Clay Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts Genevieve Breen
Red Clay Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts Isabelle Bruening
Red Clay Conrad Schools of Science Nathan Cho
Red Clay Conrad Schools of Science Valentina Feldmann
Red Clay Dickinson (John) School Zoe Cox
Red Clay Dickinson (John) School Aevyn Koczera
Red Clay duPont (Alexis I.) High School Charlotte Pollock
Red Clay duPont (Alexis I.) High School Alexandra Principe
Red Clay McKean (Thomas) High School Alexandria Joiner
Red Clay McKean (Thomas) High School Ivaneli Portuguez-Valle
Seaford Seaford Senior High School Natalie Carter
Seaford Seaford Senior High School Salma Oropeza- Alcantara
Smyrna Smyrna High School Abigail Pierre- Louis
Smyrna Smyrna High School Delaney Porter
Smyrna Smyrna High School Eric Ray Jr
Sussex Academy Sussex Academy Brady Thompson
Sussex Tech Sussex Technical High School Macy Sapna
Sussex Tech Sussex Technical High School Zoe Zellhart
Woodbridge Woodbridge High School Payton Keeler
Woodbridge Woodbridge High School Karla Saldana-Hernandez

 

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