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(Newark, Del.) May 24, 2019 - New Castle County Head Start, Inc. (NCCHS) marked the end of a successful 2018-2019 school year at its Annual Awards Luncheon at the Chase Center on May 22, 2019. Each year NCCHS presents awards to staff members and community individuals that have gone above and beyond in their dedication to early childhood education. The annual award recipients are as follows:
- 2018-2019 Ethel May Cooper Award: Since 1995, the prestigious Ethel May Cooper Outstanding Service Award has been awarded by the NCCHS Board of Directors to individuals who make outstanding contributions in early childhood education. This award embodies the spirit of Ethel M. Cooper, former NCCHS board member, who dedicated her life to the betterment of children in the community. The 2018-2019 Ethel M. Cooper award was presented to Tracey Quillen Carney, First Lady of the State of Delaware. A proud Delawarean, Ms. Carney attended Head Start in the city of New Castle, where her mother worked as an assistant teacher, in 1965 during the federal program’s first year of service. In her remarks, Ms. Carney spoke fondly of her memories at Head Start. In her role as First Lady, Ms. Carney is a strong advocate to help children succeed. With funding and operational support from Casey Family Programs, she coordinates her child advocacy efforts under the umbrella of the First Chance Delaware initiative. First Chance has three pillars – ending childhood hunger in Delaware, promoting early literacy and language skills, and advancing effective recognition of, and response to, childhood trauma. Ms. Carney seeks to use the convening and outreach powers of the First Lady’s office to bring organizations together to work collaboratively toward those goals.
- 2018-2019 Lucy H. Borda Award: Since 2004, the Lucy H. Borda Award has been bestowed on the staff member who best represents the character of deceased staff member Lucy H. Borda. Borda held a strong belief in continued professional growth, regardless of personal challenges, and an ongoing determination to accomplish professional goals. The 2018-2019 Borda award was presented to Yuri Santizo Carrizosa, NCCHS Family Advocate. In 2008, Ms. Santizo Carrizosa enrolled her child in NCCHS and during the first year she was recognized as the top volunteer for the agency. She enrolled in Training for Early Care Education I and II courses, free training programs offered to parents by NCCHS, and started working at NCCHS as a substitute teacher and classroom aide. Currently, Ms. Santizo Carrizosa is continuing her education at Delaware Technical Community College where she will graduate with an associate’s degree in early childhood education.
- 2018-2019 Eunice A. Thomas Employee of the Year Awards: Each year NCCHS recognizes those staff members whose individual efforts contributed to the program’s success throughout the year. Staff members from each of the seven Head Start centers and the administrative office voted for the person who best demonstrates a professional and positive attitude and willingness to go out of his/her way to help others. The 2018-2019 recipients are Andrea Balback, Marshallton; Julena Brown, Lambson; Kim Hylenski, Bear; Christine Potter, Manor Park; Marie Potter, Absalom Jones; Carmen Reyes, Claymont; Sarah Roberts, Early Head Start; and Mabel Roberts-Cole, Administrative Office.
Todd Veale, board member, (left) and Jeff Benatti, executive director, (right) present First Lady Tracy Quillen Carney with the 2018-2019 Ethel May Cooper Outstanding Service Award.
Wendi Marsilii, program coordinator, presents the 2018-2019 Lucy H. Borda Award to Yuri Santizo Carrizosa.
Note: additional and high-resolution images available upon request.
Now Enrolling! Families interested in Head Start center-based program, serving children ages 3 to 5, and Early Head Start home-based program, serving pregnant women and children ages birth to 3 years, should contact the NCCHS Administrative Office by calling (302) 452-1500 or apply online at www.ncchs.org.
About New Castle County Head Start
NCCHS is a private, non-profit organization devoted to promoting the school readiness of children ages birth to 5 years from income-eligible families in New Castle County, Delaware. The agency provides excellence in early childhood education and supportive services to help families achieve self-sufficiency. Head Start embraces diversity and welcomes children and families of all backgrounds and abilities including those with special needs.
Since 1977, nearly 20,000 at-risk children have benefited from the comprehensive early childhood program at no cost to families. The program is funded through grants from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Delaware Department of Education, community partners and private donors.