REVIVE THE VILLAGE: BACK TO THE BASICS HONORS SIX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION)
2012-03-06
Wilmington University’s New Castle Campus was filled to overflowing on Saturday, March 3, but not for any day-long class or training session. That was “event day” for Revive the Village: Back to the Basics, the African-American Initiative at United Way of Delaware (UWD).
At the event, called “Give me the Ballot: My Voice Matters,” Revive the Village honored six high school seniors for their essays promoting the importance of voting.
The first place winner was Jalisha Braxton, from Caesar Rodney High School. Braxton will be continuing her education at Princeton University and wants to study psychology. Her career goal is be a leading force in education reform. Click the PDF link at the top of the page to read her essay!
The other awardees were:
- Second Place: Douglas Jones, Dover High School
- Third Place: Elizabeth Thorpe, Appoquinimink High School
- Honorable Mention: Kourtne’ Reardon, Howard High School of Technology
- Honorable Mention: Sarah Rocco, Howard High School of Technology
- Honorable Mention: Hannah Bakey, Cab Calloway School of the Arts
The purpose of the event was to emphasize the importance of education and civic participation. The program featured the life story of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights leader and voting rights activist, performed by Mzuri Moyo and Healing Through Sound Music, Inc. The agenda also included Dr. Teri Quinn Gray, President of the Delaware State Board of Education, and Dr. Kim Allen, who both spoke about the importance of education. The Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church Children’s Choir also performed two pieces.
Event partners included Wilmington University and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW 100). Representatives from NCBW 100 registered people to vote on the spot, during the event. And members of Wilmington University’s Student United Way chapter served among the event volunteers.
Revive the Village launched more than one year ago, and has been supporting the work of UWD in the areas of Education, Income and Health. For more information, call (302) 573-3724 or email redwards@uwde.org.
