The Committee for Integrity Enhancement 21st Awards’ Ceremony was held April 22, 2013, at Northside Middle School Auditorium.  The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Kelsey Timmerman, local author and world traveler, who has presented his message that we should all aware of our environment and what we are eating and wearing to schools and colleges around the globe.  His books include: Where Am I Wearing and Where Am I Eating.

His interest began when he noticed that his underwear was made in Nicaragua. He traveled there and learned the manufacturer’s employees made only $1.00 (one dollar) per day for working in the clothing factories.  He then traveled to other countries and learned the same thing was going on there and the countries were all in poverty.  He met many interesting people and began writing his books to make others aware of these conditions.

The theme for the essay contest this year was “How Can I Demonstrate Integrity through My Responsible Use of the World’s Resources?”  Twelve Hundred and thirty-five (1,235), essays were received from Delaware County Elementary, Middle, High, and Home Schools.  When essays are received they are coded and names and schools are omitted from the essays when they are given to the preliminary judges.  After these judges have finished reading the essays and have chosen two school winners, the Committee for Community Enhancement selects the final division winners.   The codes are then matched to the essays to reveal the names of the students and their respective schools.  Each participating school had two winners in each division.  The overall winners were then selected from the two finalists in each division. All participants receive a certificate of participation.  The top two students in their respective division receive $20.  The overall winners in each division receive a plaque and a 1^st Place prize of$150, 2^nd place prize of $100 and a 3^rd place prize of $75.

The winners of this year’s contest are:

The Committee for Integrity Enhancement is made of local citizens working together to promote and recognize “integrity” in the lives of area residents of all ages in the Muncie/Delaware County area.  The Chairman of the Committee this year is Joe Schmaltz.  The committee is supported through private community donations.  For more information on the Committee for Integrity Enhancement, please send your request or suggestions to   P. O. Box 764, Muncie IN.  47308.

Jeff Shore, Daleville, Indiana is the photographer, and the committee wishes to thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the committee.