DFRC Newsletter - 2012 Edition Justin and His Buddies by Ann & Bill Haggerty Five years ago our son Dr. Oz is the 2012 Justin was introduced to DFRC Blue-Gold the Hand-in-Hand AllStar Football Program and the DFRC Game Honorary Blue-Gold AllStar Chairperson Football Game. At the time, Justin was attend- Dr. Mehmet Oz, 1978 DFRC Blue-Gold All ing the Morris Early Star Football Player, is Childhood Center and excited to serve as this the school nurse sent year’s Honorary Chairperson for the 57th DFRC Blue-Gold AllStar Football Game. Last year, home sign-up informa- Justin Haggerty with 2011 Gold tion in his book bag. Dr. Oz contacted DFRC about reconnecting with Player, Adam Gonzalez his buddy, John Madanat, from whom he had lost Unsure about what the touch during the 33 year interim. With some program entailed, we made a call to our good friend Linda assistance from DFRC, Dr. Oz, John and the Webb. Linda was super excited about this wonderful op- Madanat family celebrated with a nostalgic portunity we were considering for Justin. Linda and her reunion that rekindled fond memories of how very daughter Ashley were already involved with Hand-in-Hand meaningful their link to each other and absolutely loved it! Still, being the overprotective par- had proven to ents we are, we had our concerns. Would this be the right be. The DFRC path for Justin? After much reassurance and support on family looks Linda’s end, we decided to give it a try. Well, she was forward to continuing an more than right! ongoing The Hand-in-Hand Program has not only been life-changing relationship with Dr. Oz. for Justin but also for our family and friends. Through our eyes, we have been able to watch our son continued on page 2 2012 DFRC NEWSLETTER ALUMNI, FAMILY & FRIENDS continued from page 1 change the way people think about people with disABILITIES. Justin seems to have a way to introduce and showcase what his 640 Plaza Drive abilities truly are! He has melted the Newark, DE 19702 hearts of some of the biggest football Phone: 302.454.2730 Fax: 302.454.2755 players in Milford, like Ryan Deeny, and Jason Kollock. He has worn down Sussex www.dfrcfoundation.org Tech player Dylan Fox and beat down EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Milford’s Adam Gonzolez in boxing on X- Anthony T. Glenn, Ed.D. Box Kinect! This year, Justin is matched DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS with Atticus Hall who has already been put c Justin waving to the stands on Game Day 2009 Caitlin Gamel-M Cormick with his dad, Bill Haggerty, and player Dylan Fox to the test, making mud pies in Justin’s backyard. All of these fine young men are OFFICE MANAGER still very much a part of our lives. Even hundreds of miles away at college, Guy VanderLek they find the time to Facebook Justin or put up old pictures of themselves DFRC BLUE-GOLD GAME with Justin from game day. Just another reminder of how the program has LEADERSHIP allowed Justin to sprinkle his magic on them. It is definitely a family affair! 2012 Game Chair: Missy Brady Now five years in to the program my husband Billy and I both serve on the 1st Vice Chair: Shannon Latulippe Sussex County Auction Committee and I also serve DFRC on the Board of 2nd Vice Chair: Vicki Testa Beneficiaries and the Board of Trustees. When you surround yourself with the DFRC family it’s easy to understand why it’s so successful, its many people BOARD OF TRUSTEES Frank A. Albero working together for the same common goal. Those many DFRC people are Ruth W. Banta good people, people that care and sacrifice for others. There is a saying that L. Stephen Cleary Bruce A. DiNardo “you are only as good as the man standing right next to you.” We think that Micki L. Edelsohn says it all when it comes down to what the DFRC family and supporters are all Michael Gamel-McCormick Ann Marie Haggerty about. We are so blessed to be a part of this organization and we feel it helps Kyle L. Hodges us push forward even through tough times. I only wish all families that have Jodi R. Keller children with special needs could get involved and allow DFRC to help guide William B. Kelly Daniel D. Kimmel them into a very positive future. Rita M. Landgraf Martha L. McDonough Getting to the Game early is the best way to see this great program in Gerard M. McNesby Martha R. Mitchell action. We’ll be there! We hope to see you all at Delaware Stadium, Coleen E. Popp Saturday, June 23rd! M. Jane Richter Robert A. Russel Lynne G. Sklar Karyn D. Weaver This year the kids games have expanded into a DFRC Family Fun Zone! Get to the COUNSEL TO THE TRUSTEES Robert K. Pearce Game early for face painting, balloon crea- FOUNDERS tions, games, bouncy houses, and a train! R.R.M. Carpenter, Jr. James Williams The DFRC Family Fun Zone starts at rd NEWSLETTER EDITOR 3:30 pm on Game Day, June 23 ! Cary Ballas 2 www.dfrcfoundation.org 2012 DFRC NEWSLETTER ALUMNI, FAMILY & FRIENDS Saint Mark’s Celebrates 30 years of Blue-Gold The Beginning leaders. Saint In 1982, the DFRC Blue-Gold AllStar Football Committee Mark’s students rise was searching for ways to expand the DFRC Blue-Gold to the occasion and Program and allow the participating high schools to become lead the way to more involved. At the time, DFRC Blue-Gold Committee spread awareness Member, Tony Glenn, testified to the welcoming about people who environment of Saint Mark’s High School and believed he are intellectually would be able to lead this process within the school in his challenged year role there as an educator. after year. Allyson Kett Wagner, class The nine Saint Mark’s students who had been chosen to of 1996, shares participate in the 1983 DFRC Blue-Gold AllStar Football Members of the 1996 Saint Mark’s that this Game accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm and Blue-Gold Club philosophy had a worked diligently with Dr. Glenn to find ways to incorporate great impact on the Blue-Gold mission and spirit into their school. The first her. She explains that her experience in Blue-Gold at Saint Blue-Gold Week at Saint Mark’s High School was established Mark’s “required a lot of motivation, hard work, time that very first year, and it is a tradition that continues today. commitment, and teamwork” and says that she is “very In 1985, as the Blue-Gold Fever at Saint Mark’s spread, grateful that these skills were fostered by this early more and more students wanted to become involved. experience.” Through the years, the Blue-Gold Club has grown to include The Fashion Show not only the football players, cheerleaders, band members In 1988, Saint Mark’s and queen candidates/ambassadors who were chosen to hosted the first Blue- participate directly in the Game, but also other students in Gold Fashion Show. grades 9 - 12, faculty, staff, and alumni. Each of these Now, with two members has been part of the planning process and served performances each year, on the various internal Blue-Gold committees at Saint this event is the kick-off Mark’s. Blue-Gold Week at Saint Mark’s includes sports to their Blue-Gold Week tournaments - from ping-pong to flag football, raffles, senior and has grown to be the escorts, bake sales, phone-a-thons, and Blue-Gold dress 2011 Fashion Show Participants signature Blue-Gold down days. These activities are surrounded by a student- event at Saint Mark’s. In driven committee as they plan and execute each event. One 2011, the 25th Annual Saint Mark’s Blue-Gold Fashion Show of the very early values instilled in the members of the Blue- was a huge success. Heather Palmer, class of 1998, and Gold Program by Dr. Glenn was that high school students Megan Lewandowski, class of 1999, both describe the are not just the leaders of the Blue-Gold Program at Saint planning process for the Fashion Show as giving them their Mark’s, nor are they the leaders of tomorrow, but truly their first chance at planning something really big that required a talent and enthusiasm have proven them to be today’s great deal of preparation and coordination. continued on page 9 Many high schools have conducted fundraising and awareness activities benefiting DFRC since the first Blue-Gold week in 1983. Over the years, high school students have utilized their creativity to host events such as restaurant nights, car shows, merchandise sales, sports tournaments, fashion shows, powder-puff games, run/walks, and pasta dinners. DFRC thanks all of these schools for their ongoing commitment. Appoquinimink High School Glasgow High School Caesar Rodney High School Archmere Academy Paul M. Hodgson Vo-Tech High School Saint Andrew’s School Brandywine High School Howard High School of Technology Saint Elizabeth High School Cab Calloway School of the Arts Indian River High School Saint Thomas More Preparatory Cape Henlopen High School Lake Forest High School Sanford School Caravel Academy Laurel Senior High School Salesianum School Charter School of Wilmington Thomas McKean High School Seaford High School Christiana High School Middletown High School Smyrna High School Concord High School Milford High School Sussex Central High School Conrad Schools of Science Mount Pleasant High School Sussex Technical High School Delaware Military Academy Newark High School The Tatnall School Delcastle Technical High School Padua Academy Tower Hill School Delmar Senior High School Pencader Charter High School Ursuline Academy Delmarva Christian High School Polytech High School Wilmington Christian School John Dickinson High School William Penn High School Wilmington Friends School Alexis I.