More than 500 guests filled Drexelbrook Events Center on May 2nd to celebrate student achievement and excellence in teaching in grand style during the 2019 Partners in Education Celebration. The region’s premier academic recognition event was presented by Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation and Delaware County Intermediate Unit.
Among those honored were all 210 students who participated in Delco Hi-Q this year, including the 21-member All-Delco Hi-Q Team comprised of one student from each team.
Katherine Scott, 6ABC Action News reporter, served as Master of Ceremonies for the seventh year. Cash awards went to the three top-scoring teams of the nation’s oldest continuous academic quiz competition’s 71st season. Local and National Hi-Q Champions Garnet Valley, second-place Radnor, and third-place Delaware County Christian School received engraved plaques and $3,000, $2,500 and $2,000, respectively, for their school. Garnet Valley also won the right to hold the Donna Zerby Trophy for a year and recieved the Henderson Trophy in recognition of their National Championship.
Valley Forge Military Academy received the Tom McCarthy Most Improved Award in recognition of their progress this past Hi-Q season.
Nineteen outstanding teachers serving Delaware County students were honored with the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award. FMFCU Foundation established the award in partnership with DCIU to recognize exceptional teachers for their dedication and positive impact on students. For this first time, a teacher from West Chester Area School District was honored. Each honoree received $500 grant, a commemorative keepsake and $1,000 to benefit his or her school. Teacher’s photos and a feature story appeared in the Delaware County Daily Times.
Selected from nearly 400 applicants to receive a $3,000 John D. Unangst Memorial Scholarship, were: Kristin Ciampitti, Cardinal O’Hara, Chase Crane, Coatesville Area, Kimberly Heng, Interboro, Jadan Law, Garnet Valley, and Reeti Patnaik, Penncrest. The Award is named for the late FMFCU President and CEO who was instrumental in creating the Partners in Education Celebration.
Participants in FMFCU’s in school Financial Resource Center were commended as well. Upper Darby was recognized as Financial Resource Center of the Year for the second consecutive year. Sarah Ibrahim, also from Upper Darby, was named Outstanding Student Leader. Bernadette Reiley, Interboro Superintendent, was recognized as the 2019 Financial Literacy Advocate. Mrs. Reiley has been a strong advocate of financial education for many years.
Upper Providence resident Theresa Flanagan Murtagh, a member of Cardinal O’Hara’s 1982-1984, was inducted into the Delco Hi-Q Hall of Honor. DCIU and FMFCU established the Hall of Honor in 2005 as a tribute to past Hi-Q participants and supporters who can serve as role models for current Hi-Q students.
The Celebration sponsors included (Valedictorian) Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation; (Salutatorian) CCRES and Kimberly Clark – Chester Operations; (Distinguished) Delaware County Daily Times; and (Honor Roll) Neumann University and Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Click here to view photos from the event.
