Exceptional student achievement and extraordinary classroom teaching will be acknowledged in A-plus style when Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit present the 2016 Partners in Learning Celebration on April 28 at the Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill. The 11th annual dinner salutes and promotes academic accomplishment in a way similar to recognizing athletic ability.
“The Partners in Education Celebration is the Academy Awards of education, without the red carpet,” said Delco Hi-Q Director Rick Durante, FMFCU Vice President of Education.
The event will honor all students who took part in the 2015-2016 season of the Delco Hi-Q academic quiz competition for high school scholars and their faculty advisors. Among honorees will be the elite 20- member All Delco Hi-Q Team. Photographs of each representative of the 20 participating schools will appear in an edition of the Delaware County Daily Times.
This season’s three winning teams will receive an engraved plaque and a cash award for their school: $3,000 for the Garnet Valley champions, $2,500 for second place Penncrest and $2,000 for third place Sun Valley.
In addition, 18 outstanding teachers will receive the prestigious 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award. Included will be one educator from each of Delaware County’s 15 public school districts, one from the Intermediate Unit and three non-public educators—one each from an elementary, middle and high school. They were nominated by present or former students, parents, administrators, co-workers, school employees or community members. Each will receive a $500 cash award, a commemorative keepsake and $1,000 to benefit his or her school
FMFCU Foundation, in partnership with the I.U., established the Excellence in Teaching Award to give special distinction to incomparable, innovative teachers in Delaware County who have had a positive impact and lasting influence on their students.
Also commended for their accomplishments will be ten student winners of the 2016 John D. Unangst Scholarship, established in the name of FMFCU’s president/CEO.
Honored as FMFCU’s Financial Literacy Advocate for 2016 will be Mike Berenstain, author of the popular “Berenstain Bears” children’s book series and president of Berenstain Enterprises. Ridley’s Hi-Q team will be recognized for being Most Improved.
2016 Delco Hi-Q Hall of Honor
Additionally, Ken Mobley, who served as faculty advisor to Interboro’s Delco Hi-Q team for 36 years, will be inducted into the Delco Hi-Q Hall of Honor. A Ridley Township resident, Mobley taught Social Studies at Interboro and, upon his retirement, was the longest-serving Hi-Q advisor. He was chosen for his dedication and commitment to the nation’s oldest continuous academic quiz competition for high school students.
The Hall of Honor is located in the lobby of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit’s conference center in Morton. It includes plaques with the pictures and names of all current honorees, along with space devoted to future recipients.
All honorees at the Partners in Learning Celebration, including Delco Hi-Q team members and advisors, will attend the event at no cost, thanks to the generosity of supporters. Major sponsors are Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, CCRES, the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation, Kimberly Clark – Chester Operations and the Delaware County Daily Times.
Other supporters include Neumann University, Drexel University School of Education, Wahoo Taco and Merves, Amon, &Barsz, LLC.
Tickets are $49 per person, $450 for a table of 10, and may be reserved here.
