Citadel Announces Grand Prize Winners of Citadel Heart of Learning Award

Kelly DeMillion, Kindergarten teacher of General Wayne Elementary; William Scott Golightly, English teacher of Phoenixville Middle School; and Adam Speakman, Choir Director of Downingtown East High School are the official Grand Prize Winners.

EXTON, Pa.—Citadel has announced the three Grand Prize Winners of the Citadel Heart of Learning Award. 

Adam Speakman, Choir Director of Downingtown East High School; William Scott Golightly, English teacher of Phoenixville Middle School; and Kelly DeMillion, Kindergarten teacher of General Wayne Elementary are the official Grand Prize Winners—each winning $1,500 in addition to the $500 they won as District Winners. 

Fifteen Chester County teachers were recently surprised at their school; each received the 2018 Citadel Heart of Learning Award as District Winners.

Representatives from Citadel went to 15 schools in Chester County and presented unsuspecting teachers with the Citadel Heart of Learning Award for their school district. These 15 teachers are the District Winners in the overall award program—each has won $500 to use in the classroom.

On Tuesday, May 8 at Citadel’s banquet—surrounded by family, friends, and their district administrators—the teachers were all honored and the three Grand Prize Winners were announced.

This year marks the 17th annual Citadel Heart of Learning Award program, established by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit to honor, recognize, and thank outstanding teachers in Chester County. This year, Citadel received more than 2,300 nominations for more than 1,100 teachers.  

“We are proud to honor these tirelessly dedicated educators,” said Mike Schnably, senior vice president, Citadel. “Each year it’s an extremely special celebration. Citadel is thrilled to recognize the teachers who are molding the youth of the Chester County community.”

The District Winners for the 2018 Citadel Heart of Learning Award include:

HIGH SCHOOL WINNERS

Adam Speakman
Downingtown Area School District
Downingtown High School East

Cynthia Hyatt
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District
Conestoga High School

Jason Ralston
Octorara School District
Octorara High School

Peg Tinder
Owen J. Roberts School District
Owen J. Roberts High School

Scott Wooddell
Oxford Area School District
Oxford Area High School

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNERS

Andrew Stine
Twin Valley School District
Twin Valley Middle School

Jackie Knight
Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Middle School

Kera Romero
Non-Public/Charter 
21st Century Charter School

Mike Walls 
Chester County Intermediate Unit
Coatesville Learning Center

William Golightly
Phoenixville Area School District
Phoenixville Area Middle School

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WINNERS

Barb Wilson
Coatesville School District
Caln Elementary

Curtis Barr
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District 
Chadds Ford Elementary

Kelly DeMillion
Great Valley School District
General Wayne Elementary

Lauren McManus
Avon Grove School District
Avon Grove Intermediate

Mary Daniels
West Chester School District
Hillsdale Elementary

The heartfelt nominations for these 15 teachers—submitted by students, parents, community members, and colleagues—were read aloud during the surprise presentations.

CONTACT:
Abigail Brooks
(610) 466-6896
AbigailBrooks@CitadelBanking.com