Sussex Consortium class wins state award
Sarah Donald's Sussex Consortium class moved mountains in more than one way, winning the statewide Read Across America student contest.
The consortium's entry was the best by far, said Shelley Meadowcraft, spokeswoman for the Delaware State Education Association, which organized the contest.
Participants read the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, the Places You'll Go” and then based an essay or video on the theme of making a difference in the lives of others.
“It was a totally different idea for the theme than any other school,” she said. "They not only explained why we need to save the environment, but they showed viewers how they can do it. Their video was creative and fun while still getting a serious point across."
The consortium class won best overall out of 150 classes from across the state that submitted entries for the ninth annual contest.
Consortium teacher Donald and her five students were thrilled to win, especially since it was the first time they entered.
“We were really just looking to get recognized,” she said.
Donald said the class read the Dr. Seuss book and then talked about ways they could make positive change in their communities – in other words, move mountains.
“We brainstormed and came up with the ideas in the video,” she said. “It was a great way to show functional skills such as community safety and following directions.”
Five students – Tyra Eskridge, Nicholas Medina, Jennifer Ornelas, Brandon Oliver and Jeremiah Sturge – came up with the ideas featured in the video. With colorful posters, they highlighted ways to improve their communities: recycle, save energy and save water.
Then, they demonstrated different things they can do to conserve energy and water and keep their communites clean.
“They went out and developed the theme with very little prompting,” Donald said.
One shot showed students walking the beach and collecting trash, another showed someone turning off lights in an empty room and another scene showed someone turning off tap water while brushing his teeth.
As the grand winners, the Sussex Consortium will be treated to an assembly of their choice. Donald said sports and dinosaurs are a possibility, but a magic show is a frontrunner for now.
