Education Leaders, State Legislators and City Officials From Across Commonwealth to Be Honored as 2015 Pennsylvania Afterschool Champions

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) will convene educators, parents, students, lawmakers and advocates from around the state on Tuesday, March 3 for an annual meeting at which PSAYDN will honor 20 champions for their commitment to making afterschool programs available to all children and families.

Fourteen individuals including five youth and three elected officials; and six exemplary afterschool programs will be honored at the event:

5:00 PM Tuesday, March 3
Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N 2nd Street, Harrisburg

WITH

Pennsylvania Legislators:
Senators Brewster, Leach, Mensch and Wozniak; and
Representatives Bradford, Culver, Davidson, DeLissio, Gibbons,
Hackett, McNeill, Petrarca and Radar.
PDAYDN Director Kacy Conley

The Pennsylvania Afterschool Champions being honored are: 

Chester: Jamie McDowell, Youth Ambassador, Chester Education Foundation After-School Program;
Erie: Amy Bauschard, Director Carpe Diem Academy, Mercyhurst University and Erie Public
Schools;
Folcroft: United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pennsylvania Division;
Homestead: Propel Homestead 21st CCLC Middle School Site;
Jim Thorpe: Trevor Keefer, Student Carbon Career and Technical School;
Lebanon: Lebanon Valley Family YMCA;
Lehighton: Amy Miller, Reporter, Times News;
McKeesport: Consortium for Public Education;
Norristown: Karen Addison-Williams, Project Director and Administrator, Norristown Area School District;
Pennsburg: Bob Mensch, State Senator, Pennsylvania State Legislature;
Philadelphia: ACE Mentor Program of Eastern Pa.;
Philadelphia: Kylee Cuniff, Student, Philadelphia E&T Charter High School;  
Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Humanities Council;
Philadelphia: Sonja Kiett, Program Director, Village of Champions Youth Network, Inc. OPTIONS Afterschool Program;
Pittsburgh: Cornel Collins, Student, Higher Achievement Pittsburgh;  
Pittsburgh: James Doyle, Coordinator of Afterschool Programs, Pittsburgh Public Schools;
Pittsburgh: Richard Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive, Allegheny Co.;
Pittsburgh: William Peduto, Mayor, Pittsburgh;
Quakertown: QCSD-TV News Class, Students, Quakertown Community School District; and
Wynnewood: Rebecca Altman, Site Supervisor, Montgomery Early Learning Center.

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) promotes sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania's children, youth and families. PSAYDN is managed by the Center for Schools and Communities, a division of Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU). More information is available at www.PSAYDN.org.  

CONTACT: Aylissa Kiely
717-903-0219

SOURCE Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network