Personnel Cabinet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet
Office of the Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Crystal Pryor
502-517-6046

Personnel Cabinet takes 12th Annual Governor’s
Diversity Day to the schools
Diversity Day Video Contest Winners Announced by Gov. Beshear and Sec. Jackson

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 26, 2009) – Today schools from across the
commonwealth hosted celebrations in honor of the 12th Annual Governor’s Diversity Day.  Students received a special video message from Gov. Beshear and Sec. Jackson announcing the winners for the first ever Governor’s Diversity Day Video Contest.

“During these tough economic times we are increasingly mindful of any financial cost school districts would absorb to participate,” said Gov. Beshear.  “This year each school was empowered to tell their own stories about how diversity fosters a greater knowledge             and appreciation for one another.”

Traditionally students traveled to Frankfort for a day of cultural learning experiences and presentations.  Today schools were encouraged to celebrate at home by using ideas from the Diversity Day toolkit provided by the Personnel Cabinet. The kit encouraged teachers and students to host events such as: a school-wide assembly, essay contest or multicultural feast. 

Students were also asked to submit videos tailored around the theme “The Importance of Diversity.”  The winners were selected by a panel of judges, composed of representatives from various state government agencies. The three winning videos selected from each category are:

Elementary School
Clark County’s Strode Station Elementary with their entry “We Are Not Robots…Diversity in Clark County.” The faculty adviser for this video was Amy Shoemaker.

Middle School
JT Alton Middle School from Hardin County with their entry “The Bully.” The faculty adviser for this video was Becky Murray.

High School
Fayette County’s Henry Clay High School with their entry “Differences Realized Together.” The faculty advisers for this video were Shirley Morton Williams and Iris Cheeks. 

“We appreciate the level of support and participation in this year’s celebration,” said Sec. Nikki Jackson. “Students, teachers and administrators across the commonwealth helped us create a fresh and innovative approach to discussing diversity within the schools.”

To learn about this year’s Diversity Day events and to view the winning videos, visit http://personnel.ky.gov/diversity/diversityday.

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