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NEWS RELEASE

May 6, 2008

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Howard County Celebrates Successes for Children

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Ken Ulman and the Office of Children’s Services honored individuals and programs who have made a difference in the lives of children at their annual “Celebrating Successes for Children” ceremony last week. The ceremony recognized the contributions and dedication of 84 honorees, including child care providers, speech therapists, Scout leaders, coaches, students and community education programs. Category winners included:

Infants and Toddlers Category: Ann Sweeney, Infants and Toddlers Program
Ann Sweeney, a special educator with the Howard County Public Schools’ Infants and Toddlers program, has helped numerous children develop new skills, while empowering their families to learn how to help their children participate and grow within their family environment and the community.

Preschool Category: Edvina Gill, Columbia Montessori School
Edvina Gill has been a teacher at Columbia Montessori for years, yet everyday she continues to bring a consistently warm, loving and unconditional acceptance of each child’s unique talents and needs.

Kindergarten – 5th Grade Category: Coach Kevin McDuffie, Howard High School
Coach Kevin McDuffie had his varsity basketball player’s volunteer in a reading partnership program at nearby Phelps Luck Elementary School to mentor fourth graders. In doing so, his player’s were able to earn community service hours and a sense of helping others, while making a positive impact on the lives of these young students.

6th – 12th Grade Category: Irene Bademosi, Guidance Counselor, Mt. Hebron High School
Irene Bademosi cares deeply about the work she does and takes pride in serving every student equally, fairly and with the belief in each student’s ability to succeed regardless of their circumstances. When students come to her with requests, she doesn’t consider the job done when they leave her office, instead she plans follow-up sessions and works to empower the student to do what has to be done to meet his or her goals.

Mixed Age Group: Alex Dunbar
Alex Dunbar has been actively involved with Howard County children for more than 15 years as a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday school teacher, a summer camp counselor and a school volunteer. He visits classrooms as a guest reader and is the guiding force behind the two Girl Scout Nature Centers that recently opened in Howard County.

Outstanding Youth: Brian Daugherty
Brian Daugherty, a junior in high school, is determined to “bust the stigma” associated with mental illness. He speaks bravely to local groups of adults and students about his experiences and the struggles faced by young people facing the challenges of mental illness. His Stigma Busters team participates annually in the NAMIWALK (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to raise funds for mental health awareness.

Family Friendly Business: AMC Columbia Theater
Together, Dan Harris, General Manager of the AMC Columbia Theater, and Marianne Ross, a parent advocate, created a Special Needs Movie Event in which a special showing of a family movie is held once a month at the theater. During the movie, the lights stay on and the volume remains low, while children are free to do whatever makes them feel comfortable – walk around, dance, sing and even talk during the show.

O’Donnell Family Award: Theodore A. Ferguson, Sr., Gator African American Parents (GAAP) Program
Under Theodore Ferguson’s leadership, the GAAP Program reaches out to Reservoir High School students and families who have not been actively engaged in supporting their children’s school and community. He rallies families to use every available resource to help their children to establish a solid foundation of mutual respect and trust. His efforts have led to better attendance, fewer suspensions, more positive parental modeling and a growing network of parent engagement throughout the community.