The Committee for Integrity Enhancement 23rd Awards Ceremony was held April 20, 2015, at Northside Middle School Auditorium. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was The Honorable Brian M. Pierce, Master Commissioner over Delaware County’s Juvenile Court. The Magistrate is appointed by the five elected judges in Delaware County. He has served in this capacity for seven years.
Magistrate Pierce stressed to the audience that it is very important that children learn integrity and respect at an early age, to avoid negative consequences in their lives. Most children appearing in his Court have not learned the importance of respecting authority, in any form. He suggested that teaching young children respect in the way they address adults would be by the use of: Mr., Mrs., Yes, Sir, or No, Sir, etc… (This custom was absolute in years past, but is not widely used today). Many parents and teachers do not insist on this practice at the current time; if there is a show of respect for authority, it is like stepping stones to a positive impact on the paths of our children. Children must learn there will always be someone in authority they must show respect for in order to succeed in life. Behavior is learned from our environment. Respect is a two-way street; there must be integrity, and trust to receive and show respect.
The topic for the 2015 essay contest was “How does my response to authority (parents, teachers, police, etc.), reflect my integrity?” Essays were received from 26 Delaware County Elementary, Middle, High and Home Schools, with 55 teachers participating. Essays are coded prior to being given to the judges and all student information is omitted. After the judges select the winning essays, the Committee then selects the overall winners for First, Second and Third in each division, from the two finalist from each school. Then, only after all selections have been made, are the codes matched and the names of the students are revealed. Each participating school has two winners in each division. All participants receive a certificate of participation, and in addition to the certificate, the finalists from each school receive a plaque and a monetary gift.
We also have the Committee for Integrity Enhancement Facebook page. We encourage you to “Like” us!
Names of Elementary Essay Winners: First Place: Benjamin Stanley, St. Mary’s Elemetary, teacher Carrie Craig – Grade 5; Second Place: Rachel Zimmers, Daleville Elementary, teacher Mr. Middleton – Grade 5; Third Place: Haley Blanchard, Storer Elementary, teacher Amanda Seal – Grade 5.
Middle School Essay Winners: First Place: Douglas McDaniel, Delta Middle School, teacher Mrs. Decker’s – 8th Grade; Second place: Hannah Smith, Heritage Hall, teacher Roy Callan – 8th Grade; Third Place: Kayla Hicks, Delta Middle School, teacher Mrs. Decker – 8th Grade.
High School Essay Winners: First Place: Ben Martin, Woodward Academy, teacher Dee Martin – 9th Grade; Second Place: Jessica Munson, Yorktown High School, teacher Wendy Jones – 10th Grade; Third Place: Drew Bond, Heritage Hall, teacher Mr. Winebarger – 12th grade.
In addition to the essay contest the Committee awards Personal Integrity and Teacher Appreciation Awards. Sue Dalton, Bobbi Leaird, Barbara Stedman and Jeff Tingler were this year’s Personal Integrity Award recipients.
This year’s winners of the Teachers Appreciation Awards were John Kelly, 5th grade teacher at Royerton Elementary and Jeremy Middleton, 5th grade teacher at Daleville Elementary. (Photos not available)
The Committee for Integrity Enhancement consists 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 2015 Committee is Mary Ann Stroeh. The committee is supported through private community donations. For more information, or to nominate someone for the teacher or personal integrity award, please send your request or suggestions to Committee for Integrity Enhancement, P. O. Box 764, Muncie IN 47308.