Sussex Tech honored for leadership in service
The Jefferson Awards-Deloitte Students in Action program announced that Sussex Technical High School has been selected as the Delaware recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School and will represent the State of Delaware at the Jefferson Awards National Ceremony and Gala Event in Washington, D.C., June 27-29.
Sussex Tech was selected at the 2018 regional competition held April 14. It was chosen by a panel of local judges for leadership, engagement and impact around service in the school, and philanthropic contribution to the community. Participants have helped pave the way for greater volunteerism throughout Delaware.
Participating high schools this year were: Caesar Rodney, Cape Henlopen, Charter School of Wilmington, Delmar, Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School, St. Elizabeth, Sussex Tech, Thomas McKean and Tower Hill School.
During the 2017-18 school year, Sussex Technical High School Students In Action Committee members aspired to act as catalysts to engage clubs and organizations to make positive changes in their school and community. They consider themselves Ravens for a Cause who spread their wings throughout the school and community to make a difference.
Realizing their passion was helping children, they planned their entire school year focusing their efforts on monthly service projects dedicated to improving the lives of children. Projects included a food drive, American Lung Association awareness walk, collection drive for disaster victims in Puerto Rico, clothing drives for an Indian reservation in Montana and in-need students at Sussex Tech, March of Dimes campaign, Jump Rope for Heart, and Down Syndrome awareness.
Students collected over 5,000 items, raised over $1,500, and logged more than 3,000 community service hours. The student team made the statement, “Participating in Jefferson Awards Students In Action has challenged our members to not only investigate the needs of our community, but to take action and fulfill those needs.”
The Jefferson Awards high schools throughout Delaware documented over 82,500 hours of community service which represents over $1.9 million of financial impact to the community.
The Jefferson Awards Students in Action program is currently operating in 400 high schools in 13 regions nationwide. Each regional high school, along with the national honoree, will be showcased in June as part of the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
