Release Date: May 7, 2003 1:00 AM  

Sixty-Three Seniors Recognized for Outstanding Academic Prowess

Dover, Del.–May 7, 2003Top students from Delaware’s 31 public high schools were honored this evening by government and education officialsat the annual Secretary of Education’s Scholars Dinner held at the Sheraton Inn and Conference Center in Dover.

The scholars were nominated by their principals and selected for being the exemplary scholars of the graduating Class of 2003.Many students recognized this evening have received awards of state, regional or national significance.

Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff said the dinner is meant to give recognition to the students for their many achievementsand to encourage them to continue to strive for excellence. “All of the students honored tonight has shown a strong commitmentto learn and be successful, and to become actively involved in their schools and their communities.” Added Secretary Woodruff,“Through hard work and discipline, each of these young men and women have performed brilliantly. I applaud their outstanding efforts.”

Governor Ruth Ann Minner agreed. “The 63 seniors we honor this evening truly recognize the importance of setting high standardsin order to achieve their goals. It is these qualities of mind and character that will prepare each of them to succeedin whatever endeavors they choose.” Added Governor Minner, “Each scholar’s academic success also reinforces the years of help and supportthey have received from families, friends, and neighbors, as well as the high-level instruction given by their teachers.I am very proud of these fine young men and women and wish them continued success.”

In addition to Governor Minner and Secretary Woodruff, invited guests included Mrs. Jean Allen, Vice-President, State Board of Education;Sharon Crossen, Delaware’s Teacher of the Year for 2003; Senator David P. Sokola, Representative Bruce C. Reynolds,members of the House and Senate; and representatives from the business community and higher education.

Listed alphabetically by school district, the scholars are:

• Appoquinimink School District:
  Laura Billings, Meredith Isaacs and Elizabeth Miller, Middletown High School.
• Brandywine School District:
  Gregory Derevianko and Daniel Weinberg, Brandywine High School; Caitlyn Johnson and Bryan Youse, Concord High School; and Lynn Clouser and Catherine Kirk, Mount Pleasant High School.
• Caesar Rodney School District:
  Livia Montone, Erin Schonewolf and Kathryn Sweeney, Caesar Rodney High School.
• Cape Henlopen School District:
  Neeraja Peri and Erin Williams, Cape Henlopen High School.
• Capital School District:
  Patrick Boyle, Hetal Choxi and Daniel Silverio, Dover High School.
• Christina School District:
  Dina Femia and Timothy Maguire, Christiana High School; Jared Graves and Sarah Groome, Glasgow High School; Deena Anderson, Sonrisa Lewis and James Nelson, Newark High School.
• Colonial School District:
  Kelly Arbogast, Cynthia Clifton, Stephanie Swain and Nicholas Vitalo, William Penn High School.
• Delmar School District:
  Jason Hearn, Delmar Middle and Senior High School.
• Indian River School District:
  Justin Cohee, Indian River High School; Alexis Leyh and Bina Patel, Sussex Central High School.
• Lake Forest School District:
  Jamie Messick and Sara Riccobono, Lake Forest High School.
• Laurel School District:
  Summer Spicer, Laurel High School.
• Milford School District:
  Jesse Retzlaff, Shannon Sargent and Andrew Seagraves, Milford High School.
• New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District:
  Patricia Hurst, Amanda McGrady and Yaritza Rodriguez, Delcastle Technical High School; John Foraker and Stephanie Mague, Hodgson Vocational-Technical High School; Matthew Carre and Lloyd Nunes, Howard High School of Technology.
• POLYTECH School District:
  Erica Freeman and Sarah Zimmerman, POLYTECH High School.
• Red Clay Consolidated School District:
  Jefferson Snow, Cab Calloway School of the Arts; Tiffany Kung and Joseph Nam, John Dickinson High School; Stephen Bauer and Rachel Crowe, Alexis I. duPont High School; Mutka Khasnis and Jamie Orensky, Thomas McKean High School.
• Seaford School District:
  Dana Kimpton and Kathryn LaPrad, Seaford Senior High School.
• Smyrna School District:
  Reid Doughton and Samantha Snow, Smryna High School.
• Sussex Technical School District:
  Thomas Shortridge and Rebecca Singh, Sussex Technical High School.
• Woodbridge School District:
  Dusti Vanderwende, Woodbridge Senior High School.
• Charter School of Wilmington:
  Oludamini Ogunnaike and Pelli Wang.

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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.	Contact Info. Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us
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