New Castle County Head Start, Inc. Presents Annual Awards

(Newark, Del.) New Castle County Head Start, Inc. (NCCHS) held its Annual Award Luncheon on May 19, 2015 at the Chase Center. Each year NCCHS presents awards to individuals that have gone above and beyond in support of early childhood education. The annual award recipients are as follows:

• 2014-2015 Ethel M. Cooper Award: Since 1995, the prestigious Ethel M. 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 2014-2015 Ethel M. Cooper award was presented to Nick Marsini, Regional President for PNC Bank Delaware. Marsini has played an integral role in a grant partnership with NCCHS and Delaware Museum of Natural History, funded by the PNC Grow Up Great with Science initiative. Over the last five years, NCCHS has received $123,815 in grant dollars from PNC Grow Up Great for science enrichment programs. Nationally, PNC Grow Up Great has distributed more than $90 million in grants to help prepare America's youngest children for great things in school and life.
• 2014-2015 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. This year’s Borda award was presented to Jackie Williams. Williams has been a dedicated staff member of NCCHS for 17 years. During this time, she held teacher assistant and teacher positions while also receiving her Training for Early Care & Education (TECE) and Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials. Williams is pursuing her associate degree as part of NCCHS and Delaware Technical Community College's cohort program. She has been a mentor to her classmates and has hosted study sessions in her home.
• 2014-2015 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 eight 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 2014-2015 winners are Cassie Brown of Manor Park; Debbie Drueding of the Administrative Office; Wanda DiGuglielmo of Lambson; Maria Gonzalez of Newark; Chesteen Nutter of Rose Hill; Sheileen Ortiz Torres of Claymont; Christine Potter of Bear; Evelyn Romero of Absalom Jones; and Jose Vazquez of Marshallton.
• Retirement Recognition: NCCHS recognized Otila Butler on her retirement after nearly 37 years of service to the agency. Butler started with the program as a Head Start parent and held roles of assistant teacher, head teacher and center coordinator. 

New Castle County Head Start, Inc. Board of Directors Chairperson J.D. Lee (left) and Executive Director Jeff Benatti (right) present the prestigious Ethel M. Cooper Outstanding Service Award to Nick Marsini, Regional President for PNC Bank Delaware (center).