Freedoms Foundation Annouces Leavey Awards Class of 2000

VALLEY FORGE, PA -- Thirty-one educators whose 16 programs were deemed "innovative" by an independent jury panel will receive the prestigious Leavey Awards 2000 for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, presented by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

"The recipients of our Leavey Awards represent a cross section of the creative thinking in our nation's classrooms and offer a sound testament to the quality of education available in our schools," said Robert E. Kelley, president of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, in announcing the winners.

Endowed by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation, Los Angeles, the Leavey Awards recognize educators for innovative techniques in teaching about the free enterprise system. Each winning program will receive a $7,500 cash award. Annually, up to 20 programs can be recognized with one award of $15,000 if the jury panel deems a particular entry meritorious. This year marks the 23rd year the awards have been presented by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

The Leavey Awards Class of 2000 includes:
 Alfred Konuwa, Butte College, Oroville, Calif.
 Dan McGeorge, Emerald Middle School, El Cajon, Calif.
 Deanna Brown, Dundee Elementary School, Dundee, Fla.
 Rosemary Becker, Tildenville Elementary School, Winter Garden, Fla.
 Judy Vowels and Betty Maloy (Hazelwood Elementary School, Louisville, Kentucky), Jan Mester (Kentucky Council on Economic Education), Gary Clayton (Northern Kentucky University), Kimberly Code and Jack Morgan (University of Louisville), Patricia Bland (Northside Elementary School, Shelbyville, KY), Elaine Littler (Woodland Middle School, Florence, KY).
 Diane McCutcheon, Stoneleigh Elementary School, Baltimore, Md.   

 Meghan Lattin Glikin, Mary O'Hara, and Marguerite Forte, Timonium Elementary School, Timonium, Md.
 Ellen Gray, Elaine Bridges, and Barbara Benton, Brandon Elementary School, Brandon, Miss.
 Robert Wyatt and Charles Taylor, Drury College, Springfield, Missouri
 Roy Cordato, Cambell University, Buies Creek, N.C.
 Lynda Bushong and Carol Bright of H.C. Burgard Elementary School, Manheim, PA
 Robert Scherrer, Baldwin High School, Pittsburgh, PA
 Richard Herman, Methacton High School, Fairview Village, PA
 Gwyn Franson and Shauna Rasmussen, Highland Elementary School, Highland, Utah
 Dawn Hunter, Barrie Elementary School, Fort Atkinson, Wisc.
 Jim Homan and Matthew Wasmer, Brookfield Academy, Brookfield, Wis.

The winning programs range from a mobile student store administered by third graders at Burgard Elementary School to a multi-tiered program at Drury College that provides educational resources to students and teachers around the world.

Judged by an independent panel of educational administrators, entrepreneurs and business leaders, the Leavey Awards will be presented during a 300-guest, black-tie affair at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego, CA, March 31, 2000.

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, with 29 chapters in 17 states, is among the nation's premier organizations devoted to citizenship-based education and the promotion of responsible citizenship.

For information visit the Freedom Foundation's web site at www.ffvf.org, or call 1-800-896-5488.
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