FRANKFORT, Ky., July 28, 2004 -- Thirteen Perry and Letcher county teachers and their students have been recognized for their efforts to promote citizenship among their students. The 2004 We the People … Project Citizen Award of Achievement is presented annually to the classes with the best portfolios on display at the "We the People … Project Citizen Showcase."

(See list of winners below.)

"We the People ... Project Citizen encourages students to become involved in their state and local governments," said Rachel Bingham, Law Related Education program supervisor for the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort, which administers the program for the Commonwealth. "We appreciate the teachers who take time to promote the prevention of school violence."

Bingham said that students work together on a class project to identify a public policy issue and develop an action plan to implement their policy. The final product is a portfolio displaying each group’s work. Students from Perry County schools gathered at Hazard Community College May 13 to display their work in the “We the People … Project Citizen Showcase.” The annual event attracted students, local educators and community leaders, and the Award of Achievement was presented to the classes with the top portfolios.

The Project Citizen School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program is administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The program was developed by the Center for Civic Education in Calabasas, Calif., and uses civic education as a tool to combat school violence. The AOC's Department of Juvenile Services has worked in partnership with the Center since the late 1980s to offer training in Center materials to teachers throughout the state. This collaboration has benefited thousands of Kentucky students.

The AOC is the administrative arm of the Kentucky Court of Justice and supports the activities of more than 3,400 court system employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks. The AOC also executes the Judicial Branch budget.

LIST OF AWARD RECIPIENTS

Letcher County
Tommy Pace
Middle School Teacher
Whitesburg Middle School, Whitesburg
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Perry County
Linda Baker
High School Teacher
Perry County Central High School, Hazard
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Darla K. Combs
Elementary School Teacher
Lost Creek Elementary, Dice
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Debra Combs
Elementary School Teacher
Lost Creek Elementary, Dice
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Diane Combs
Elementary School Teacher
Viper Elementary, Viper
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Michelle Gambill
Elementary School Teacher
AB Combs Elementary, Combs
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Dee Hurley
RW Combs, Happy
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Linda Longworth
High School Teacher
Hazard High School, Hazard
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Janet Maggard
RW Combs, Happy
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Malinda Ann Meehan
Elementary School Teacher
AB Combs Elementary, Combs
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Stella Roark
Elementary School Teacher
AB Combs Elementary, Combs
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

Tammy Weddington
Elementary School Teacher
Robinson Elementary, Ary
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program
 
Lisa West
RW Combs, Happy
School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program