--Sixty-Eight seniors recognized for exemplary academic achievement--

(Dover, De.)  Top students from Delaware’s 33 public high schools were honored this evening as exemplary scholars of the graduating Class of 2007 by government and education officials at 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 the honor based on a record of academic excellence and community service.  Many students recognized this evening have received awards of state, regional or national significance.  Tonight’s dinner is meant to give recognition to the students for their many achievements and to encourage them to continue to strive for excellence.

“These very talented young men and women are our future leaders,” said Governor Ruth Ann Minner.  “In addition to the academic success they have demonstrated, they have dedicated themselves to their schools and communities, setting a stellar example for their peers.”

Secretary Valerie A. Woodruff agreed.  “This evening we praise 68 very talented young men and women who have demonstrated outstanding academic success as well as dedicated support to their schools and communities.  I know their future will be bright.”

In addition to Governor Minner and Secretary Woodruff, invited guests included Lieutenant Governor Carney Jean Allen, President, State Board of Education; Caridad Alonzo, Delaware’s Teacher of the Year for 2007; Senator David P. Sokola, Representative Vincent Lofink; members of the House and Senate; representatives from the business community and higher education.

• AppoquiniminkSchool District: Caitlyn Delcollo, Shin-Ying Lin, Aaron Schultz and Michael Williams, Jr., Middletown High School.

• Brandywine School District:  Amanda Chau and Alana Coppol, Brandywine High School; Joshua Blechman and Michael Tait, Concord High School; and Lisa Thomanek and Rebekah Weagraff, Mount Pleasant High School
• CaesarRodney School District:  Richard Burcat, Jaclyn Nutt and Khushbu Patel, Caesar Rodney High School
• CapeHenlopen School District: Dierdre Kelly and Michelle Munyikwa, Cape Henlopen High School

• CapitalSchool District:  Courtney Keitel, Ali-Reza Mirsajadi and Katie Yost, Dover High School
• Christina School District:  Tomilade Adepoju, Jackson Moore and Neil Patel, Christiana High School; Rabi Choudhury, Adrienne Miller and Karen Rhea, Glasgow High School; Alexandra Donovan, Claire Kubizne and Jennifer Sabatino, Newark High School
• ColonialSchool District:  Theresa Brock, Sarah Cintora, Michelle DePutron and Crystal Shaw, William Penn High School
• DelmarSchool District: Amanda Lee Gonzalez, Delmar Middle & Senior High School
• Indian RiverSchool District: Erica Evans, Indian River High School; Allison Erskine and Sara McCabe, Sussex Central Senior High School
• Lake ForestSchool District:  Michelle Johnson and Taylor King, Lake Forest High School
• LaurelSchool District:  Kate Downes, Laurel High School
• MilfordSchool District:  Emily Gorrin and Stephanie Swadley, Milford High School
• New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District: Amber Gladney, Meghan Hormanski and Rucha Patel, Delcastle Technical High School; Sarah Erskine and Kimberly Pickett, Hodgson Vocational Technical High School; Andrew Saulsbery and Arielle Baine, Howard High School of Technology
• POLYTECHSchool District:  Jeremy Byler and Samantha Penta, POLYTECH High School
• Red Clay Consolidated School District:  Michael Bechard and Brittany Ryzkiewicz, Cab Calloway School of the Arts;, Lauren Monarski and Michael Vincent, John Dickinson High School;  Rohit Sarda and Catherine Collison, Alexis I. duPont High School; Alissa Werzen and Wuming Xie, Thomas McKean High School 
• SeafordSchool District:  John Blakeney and Michele Fascelli, Seaford High School
• SmyrnaSchool District:  David Blume and Michael Natrin, Smyrna High School
• SussexTechnical School District:  Amber Drummond and James Sekcienski, Sussex Technical High School
• WoodbridgeSchool District: Stacey Bickling, Woodbridge High School
• CampusCommunity Charter School: Ashley DeCarlo
• CharterSchool of Wilmington: Mary Barrosse-Antle and William Scott
• DelawareMilitary Academy: Katelyn Ogburn