Sussex Academy Elementary students welcomed several special guests to their assembly April 11, where they presented $180 donations each to representatives of Grass Roots Rescue, Doggone Happy Animal Rescue and Four Paws Animal Hospital.
Dean of Elementary Connie Hendricks said fourth and fifth grade students talked with their teachers about what they wanted to do for their service project.
“They came to the conclusion they wanted to help animals,” Hendricks said.
Students, who typically wear uniforms, held a paid dress down day to collect money and publicized a QR code so that families could purchase wish-list items for each group.
Dawn Mitchell from Doggone Happy Animal Rescue even gave each student a copy of her book, “Rescuing Roman,” and let students meet their rescue dog Cace.
Six Sussex Academy Elementary students were recognized April 11 for their winning entries in the school Upcycled Art Contest.
The contest, themed “Plants, Flowers and Bugs” was open to all students, who needed to use recycled materials to create their artwork, which they submitted for display at the school Family Science and Math Night April 9.
Submitted artwork and judged in two divisions: Kindergarten to second grade; and third to fifth grade, with three winners in each division: Kinsley Rund, Kindergarten; Liam Arthur and Jose Armando, first grade; Nolan Thomas, third grade; Willow Cohen, fourth grade; and Mia Hendricks, fifth grade.
The Sussex Academy school board honored Elementary School Counselor Dr. Juliane Hein at their monthly meeting April 16 for her recognition as the Delaware Charter Schools Network Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Hein, who joined Sussex Academy in Fall 2020, said the favorite part of her job is working with kids, staff, parents and the community.
“I love building relationships, getting to really know people and ultimately seeing them feel successful,” she said.
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education, which will hold a statewide banquet celebrating all nominees May 19, when the state winner will be announced.
Sussex Academy sixth grader Anna Liang of Lewes is the recipient of the $1,000 Coastal Concerts Sussex County Council Award Scholarship for 2024-25.
Musicians residing in Delmarva and attending either middle or high school, public or private school are eligible for the scholarship awards, which may be used for music camps, university courses, instrument purchases or repairs, or for private music lessons.
Students compete against their peers for scholarships awarded upon the evaluation of written essays and in-person auditions.
Anna, age 11, has been taking piano lessons with instructor Meldene Gruber since age 5, after she discovered she enjoyed playing a keyboard at home.
“I thought it was a beautiful instrument,” Anna said, noting she plans to use her scholarship for music lessons.
Anna skipped fourth grade at her previous school and is in her first year at Sussex Academy, where she performs in the school Jazz Band. Band and music teacher Mike Marotta alerted her to the scholarship opportunity.
With particular interests in baroque and classical music, Anna considers Bach and Mozart her favorite composers. Piano will be a major hobby for the young musician, who plans to pursue a career in engineering, math, science or art.
Anna was certified as at Prep A, or high school freshman, level by the National Guild Program last year, and won second place with her partner in the 2023 United States International Duo Piano Competition.
Additionally, Anna has participated in the annual Henle Piano Competition since 2022, and performed in semiannual Musicale piano recitals organized by Gruber and other piano teachers.
She has played the morning service at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach, and a Sing for Hope piano at the World Trade Center station in New York.
After competing against peers from nine other high schools at the 2025 Soroptimist Youth Forum, two Sussex Academy students earned prizes for their public speaking proficiency.
Sussex Academy students Katya Geyer, Oliver Graves, Annabelle Hudson, Josue Laurore, Shannon Scudder, Grace Thomas and Duncan Winger all entered this year’s contest, held at Seaford City Hall.
The theme of the public speaking contest was “Student Voices: Your Opinions Matter” and focused on four areas: mental health, education, time management and media literacy, said Youth Forum Committee representative Sarah R. White.
“The forum is a panel discussion, not a debate,” White said. “A moderator asks a question from each focus area, and students participating have the opportunity to respond to all or some of the questions. The responses are timed.”
Participants were judged on the originality of ideas and solutions offered, persuasiveness without taking over the group, ability to maintain objectivity and limit comments to the assigned topic, clarity of thought and ability to summarize findings, ability to perceive and solve problems and congeniality with peers, White said.
When the judging was concluded, Duncan Winger was announced the second place winter, earning a $500 prize, and Katya Geyer tied for third place, earning $400.
Sussex Academy students who participated in the 2025 Soroptimist Youth Forum hosted by Soroptimist International of Seaford March 22 included (l-r) Duncan Winger, Katya Geyer and Josue Laurore.
Sussex Academy elementary students got down and dirty recently preparing their school garden for its spring harvest.
All students have jobs in the community garden, which was launched through a generous donation of garden supplies and resources through Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids.
Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids supports educators in Delaware, bringing life-lasting benefits of gardening and good nutrition to kids through its “Education Cultivation” program.
The program strives to “Help Kids Grow, Learn & Form Healthy Habitats through School Gardens” and affords students the opportunity to grow and sample many different varieties for greens and vegetables throughout a school year, said school garden coordinator and teacher Don Ott.
After a generous donation of a truckload of mulch from Blessing Greenhouses & Composting Facility Inc. students got to work.
Second graders prepared the soil, and kindergarten and first grade students planted seeds. Third graders will water the seeds, and fourth and fifth graders will harvest and compost.
This spring, students are cultivating an array of plants, including parsley, borage, lettuce, cilantro, dill, rainbow chard, carrots, sugar snap peas, spinach and radishes, said paraprofessional Liv Dryden.
The school garden also supports students in growing and maintaining healthy crops of asparagus, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, apples and pears.
“There really is no greater joy than watching students rush out to the garden to observe and sample items like strawberries and raspberries that the students planted the year prior and are now able to harvest and enjoy,” Ott said.
Through the garden, Ott said, students are also learning important life skills like how to make compost, spread mulch and prepare soil for planting, while also developing their skills of working together as a team.
Recently, fourth grade students even started digging a small garden pond for wildlife, and many students needed to be taught how to use a shovel for the first time.
“These kids never cease to amaze me with their enthusiasm and dedication,” Dryden said. “It’s truly inspiring to see the students connect with nature and learn about growing healthy food.”
Companies or individuals who would like to donate garden supplies, such as large flat stones or garden irrigation equipment, are asked to call Ott at 302-524-1611.
Sussex Academy students staged a powerful performance of the hit musical “Mean Girls” April 3–5.
Adapted from Tina Fey’s hit 2004 film, the play featured Alex DeEmedio as new student Cady Heron, who takes on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by Regina George, played by junior Abby Lynne Whitcomb, and cohorts Ava Huerta as Gretchen and Leni Kuska as Karen.
Augmenting the cast are Elaina Marsch as Janis and Chase Reynolds as Damian, who work with Cady to undermine The Plastics.
Under the direction of secondary performing arts director Erin Bobby, the production included students Zachary Burger as Aaron, Melvin Harmon as Kevin G., Kadence King as Mrs. George, Avery Marvel as Ms. Norbury, Oliver Graves as Mr. Duvall, Caroline Carlisle as Mrs. Heron, Alexander Rowley as Mr. Heron, and a host of students in the ensemble.
“This production offered a really fun opportunity for many students to get involved and onstage,” Bobby said. “A lot of young people love the movie, so we had nearly 50 students involved in the production. It was a great time!”
Sussex Academy fourth graders made the most of an educational field trip by exploring Delaware’s ecosystem at St. Jones Reserve and state history at the John Dickinson Plantation.
“It was a fantastic learning experience,” said teacher Don Ott, of the trip he planned in coordination with teacher Tiffany McMahon at no cost to students; the trip was fully covered by activity fees. “Even our bus driver joined in, taking an interest in the historical sites, which the students found exciting!”
First, students visited St. Jones Reserve in Dover, where they explored the coastline and discovered the vital role of horseshoe crabs in the ecosystem.
“Students engaged in hands-on learning, uncovering fascinating facts—like how horseshoe crab blood is used to test medical equipment before it’s used on humans,” Ott said.
Next, the class visited the John Dickinson Plantation, where they toured the Dickinson mansion, smokehouse, Samuel Dickinson’s gravesite, and the visitor center.
“They participated in an interactive activity, filling small cloth bags with herbs, historically called ‘sachets,’ which were used to keep bugs away from clothing,” Ott said.
Students also learned about John Dickinson’s role in history. Dickinson’s plantation was once operated by enslaved individuals; Dickinson freed his slaves nearly 100 years before the Emancipation Proclamation.
“The plantation later became part of the Underground Railroad, playing a crucial role in helping enslaved people escape to freedom,” Ott said. “Overall, this field trip was a memorable, hands-on experience that deepened our understanding of history, nature, and the impact of those who came before us.”
Sussex Academy School Counselor Dr. Juliane Hein was named the Delaware Charter Schools Network Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Delaware Charter Schools Network Executive Director Kendall Massey announced the award via Zoom to Hein and Sussex Academy’s entire elementary campus April 2.
Hein, who joined Sussex Academy in Fall 2020, said she was very surprised.
“I felt such love from the kids and staff! Those signs were the best,” she said of the many congratulatory posters students held up as her award was announced.
Hein says the favorite part of her job is working with kids, staff, parents and the community.
“I love building relationships, getting to really know people and ultimately seeing them feel successful,” she said.
“We are very proud to have Dr. Hein represent the Delaware Charter School Network at the state level for this important recognition,” said Sussex Academy Head of School Kyle Bentley. “Her dedication to students and leadership in our community are truly exceptional. With Mrs. Stephanie Sherman serving as the current Teacher of the Year and Dr. Juliane Hein now earning this recognition, it highlights the outstanding quality of educators at Sussex Academy.”
Hein holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington College, and both a master’s degree in school counseling and a doctorate in leadership and innovation from Wilmington University. She lives in Millsboro with her husband Billy and their two daughters, Sussex Academy third and fourth graders.
Students cheered and held up congratulatory signs when Hein’s award was announced, and shared the many ways they are grateful for Hein.
“She helps me through hard situations,” said fourth grader Sayuri Perez-Perez. “She is an awesome counselor. I know I can trust her.”
Fourth grader Jonah Boyce named four reasons why Hein is the best counselor ever: she helps people when they are sad, mad, get off the buses in the morning, and when other people hurt their feelings.
“No matter where you are, you help people,” Jonah said. “And that’s why you are the best counselor ever.”
Fourth grader Eve Crisci said Hein always cheers her up when she visits her class.
“You give me a reason to smile and help me be more resilient,” Eve said.
Second grader Wyatt Dutton agreed. “Dr. Hein does kind stuff, like helping us learn to be kind,” he said. “I love when she comes to our class to teach lessons.”
Kindergartener Brystal Benton added, “I like that Dr. Hein teaches us about being kind and making good choices.”
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education, which will hold a statewide banquet celebrating all nominees May 19, when the state winner will be announced.
Each year, the program recognizes outstanding service by school counselors, school social workers, licensed clinical social workers, school psychologists, and school nurses who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health.
One professional of the year represents each school district or the charter school community in the state program, and Hein now represents the charter school community.
Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the district/charter, and the state then selects one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. The DOE awards state winners with an additional $3,000 personal award and $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of their students.
Members of the Sussex Academy Science National Honor Society traveled to the elementary campus March 21 to teach Don Ott’s fourth-grade classes about abiotic and biotic factors and how they interact in the environment.
SNHS President Alex DeEmedio and Vice President Brianna Sordi conducted the lesson with support from station leaders Jayani Boopathi, Caroline Spicer, Abby Whitcomb and Gabrielle Yablonski. Natalie Roblero Chavez, Bella Crisci, Melanie Felipe, Oliver Graves, Addison Lane, Kimia Langroudi, Grace Thomas and Jack Thomas served as station helpers.
First, student teachers did a warm up with the fourth graders, allowing them to discuss different examples of abiotic things and biotic organisms, before they conducted a short formal lesson.
“Then we broke the class up into four stations so they could further their understanding of the topic in small groups with three SNHS members at each station to give attentive assistance,” Alex said.
SNHS members hosted a scientific reading station, a cut-and-sort station, a mini quiz and color by number station, and a flower-planting station that allowed students to take home a plant to their families.
“At the end, almost every student raised their hand to give a summary of what they learned, and they all said it was so much fun, so we felt the project was a huge success,” Alex said. “We got to teach over 40 students, so it was an amazing opportunity for all of us too.”
“My students loved it and it was great to see so many familiar faces,” said fourth-grade teacher Don Ott.
SNHS students who guest-taught are in back (l-r) Addison Lane, Alex DeEmedio, Natalie Roblero Chavez, Melanie Felipe, Abby Whitcomb, Jack Thomas and Jayani Boopathi. In front are Grace Thomas, Oliver Graves, Brianna Sordi, Kimia Langroudi, Bella Crisci, Caroline Spicer and Gabrielle Yablonski.
