ABOUT THE 2007 COMPETITION
On December 1, 2007, Delaware Secretary of State Dr. Harriet Smith Windsor greeted an enthusiastic audience of 300 at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover where she acknowledged the hard work of 679 students and 31 teachers who participated in the Department of State's sixth annual Delaware Day Fourth Grade Competition.
Secretary Windsor developed the competition in 2002 to encourage students to study the Constitution and to understand Delaware's role in its writing and ratification. This year marks the 220th anniversary of the writing of the Constitution and Delaware's ratification of it on December 7, 1787 at Battells Tavern in Dover.
Students from Wilmington to Laurel created four-panel displays in response to tough questions about the Constitution. Students explained why the Constitution was important, sang original Preamble raps, explained the Preamble in kid-friendly terms, and justified why Delawareans should and should not celebrate Delaware Day today. Parents, teachers, and the general public smiled as students shared their innovative responses.
"I am so pleased that these students and teachers accepted my challenge to bring history to life," said Secretary Windsor. "The results of their work are very impressive." In appreciation of their comprehensive study of the Constitution, Secretary Windsor presented each classroom with a copy of the original Constitution which Delaware delegate George Read delivered to the Delaware General Assembly in 1787.
Signers' Awards, named in honor of Delaware's signers - Richard Bassett, Gunning Bedford, Jr., Jacob Broom, John Dickinson, and George Read - were presented to top projects representing five geographic categories: Wilmington, New Castle County, Kent County, Sussex County, and a private school/home school category.
George Read Award
Brandywine Springs Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Martha Duffy
Gunning Bedford, Jr. Award
Cedar Lane Elementary School
Teachers: Mrs. Mimi Corcoran and Mrs. Georgiana Fennemore
John Dickinson Award
Lake Forest North Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Pamela Hobbs
Richard Bassett Award
Shields Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Sydnye Andrews
Jacob Broom Award
Epworth Christian School
Teacher: Mrs. Beverly Bynes
In addition, eighteen schools received Honorable Mention Awards. Names of all of the participating students and teachers are entered onto the Department of State's Annual Delaware Day Competition Honor Roll which now contains the names of 4,202 students and 222 teachers.
