DELAWARE STATE FAIR NAMES 2006 ALL-STAR YOUTH...program sponsored by Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

HARRINGTON, DE - June 16, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMPORTANT: We invite members of the media to attend our Stockholder's/Board of Director's Meeting on Monday, June 19 at 5:15 pm at the Centre Ice Rink on the Delaware State Fairgrounds. A media reception will commence in the lobby area after each All-Star Youth winner has been introduced to the Board.

This year’s Delaware State Fair theme is “Blue Ribbon Days and Hot Country Nights”, focusing on the first-place ribbons adorning the thousands of exhibits. Each blue ribbon winner is considered the best in his/her class, and the same principal can be applied to the Fair’s “All-Star Youth” program, supported by Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

The All-Star Youth program was designed to showcase outstanding Delaware youth. Since its inception in 2001, the Fair has annually selected ten deserving adolescents to be named as “All-Star Youth”—one for each day of the Fair. Each child selected receives special recognition on one particular day of the Fair complete with a plaque, carnival ride tickets, a cash prize, and a ride at the head of the Fair’s nightly parade.

According to the Fair’s public relations and marketing director, Tricia Southard, “We congratulate all of the winners for their individual accomplishments as well as the quality of their character. Each child represents the very best of Delaware’s youth.”

This year’s 2006 All-Star Youth winners are (in order of each winner’s special recognition day):

July 20: Brenda Lomax, 7, Felton
Brenda Lomax loves animals. Her heart went out to the animals left stranded after Hurricane Katrina. With the help of several local businesses, friends, and family members, she spent a race weekend selling baked goods and bottles of water. The money raised was given to the local SPCA and was ultimately sent to the devastated area in the south to help take care of animals separated from their owners.

July 21: Ashley Duffy, 17, Rehoboth
Ashley Duffy is a graduate of Cape Henlopen High School and is the 2006 Milford Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year Award recipient. Ashley has spent the past seven years devoted to the club, has learned how to deal with and overcome numerous obstacles in her life—mainly growing up without a mother and living a great distance from her father, and has continually volunteered in her school, church, and community. Ashley excels in academics, band, and other school related groups. She loves to give back to whatever she is involved in. Ashley will be attending Hampton University in the fall.

July 22: Madison Dodge, 10, Milford
Madison Dodge was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of 5. From that time forward, Madison truly embraced the mission of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Madi (as she is known to everyone) can be found at any event educating others about the disease. Madi is energetic and is constantly coming up with ways to earn money to assist the ADA. She is working hard to make a difference.

July 23: Billy Miller, 11, Dover
Billy Miller is considered a non-verbal child yet recently made a speech to 150 people at a black-tie dinner in Washington, DC. Billy has cerebral palsy and speaks through a device known as a Dynavox Series 4. This device has opened up a whole new world for Billy and he doesn’t hesitate to let you know just that. He just finished his 5th grade year at William Henry Middle School where he was also a Student Council Representative.

July 24: Clifton Gordon, 13, Wilmington
Clifton Gordon is an awesome swimmer and is proud to be one of the few African-American swimmers in the state of Delaware. Clifton will be attending a program in Colorado Springs this summer in an effort to improve his swimming techniques and to learn how he can be an ambassador to help promote the sport of swimming to minorities.

July 25: Ashley Cannon, 14, Georgetown
Ashley Cannon has overcome learning disabilities, emotional and family related obstacles and other various challenges in her young life through perseverance, faith in God, strong family discipline, and her love for volunteering. Ashley is an active participant at the Wesley United Methodist Church, at school, and in her community. Ashley is a member of the Sussex Community Swim Team where she received the Dolly Fisher Spirit Award.

July 26: Everett Roberts, 17, Seaford
Everett Roberts is a recent graduate of Seaford High School. A few years ago, Everett became engrossed in the Chinese culture and spent an entire year in Beijing. Everett, who stayed with a host family during his travels, learned all he could about the culture and now appreciates some of the things he has at home—like his siblings since China only allows one child per family. Everett will be attending college in the fall and already has plans for returning to China.

July 27: Matt Starkey, 18, Milford
Matt Starkey is a recent graduate of Milford High School. Matt excels in both the classroom and in the sports arena—soccer, baseball, and swimming. Matt received All-State and All-Henlopen Conference honors in soccer, All-Henlopen Conference honors as a kicker in the same fall sport, and honorable mention in All-Henlopen Conference in swimming. Outside of school, Matt is also involved in community activities and always thinks of others first. He will be attending Clemson University in the fall and will undoubtedly be an outstanding member of the student body.

July 28: Diana Hart, 14, Milford
Diana Hart comes from a family who supports deployed family personnel. Diana was involved in raising funds through a 5K Walk/Run held earlier this year, and she received a plaque from the Delaware National Guard for her contribution. Diana also provides support through Operation Circle of Love and has “adopted” soldiers from various states throughout the country.

July 29: Lance Hickman, 18, Harbeson
Lance Hickman is a recent graduate of Sussex Central High School. Lance is an exceptional young man who, through a soft spoken demeanor, demonstrates extraordinary leadership skills. He excels in academics, in volunteering in his church as a peer tutor, and as a youth representative on the church administrative board. Lance has served as a bugler for Veteran’s Day Services, participated in hundreds of hours of service projects through Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle. His involvement in extracurricular school activities, including band, Gold Senior Ambassador for the 2005 Blue/Gold game, and sports is impressive. He is very committed to church, school, family, scouts, and his community and does not hesitate to volunteer whenever the need arises.

Fair officials and representatives from Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children invite the public to congratulate the winners and salute each child during the Fair’s nightly parade.###