Monday, April 21, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC – Harris Teeter and six individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of children in North Carolina will receive the Razor Walker Award at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, in UNCW’s Warwick Center Ballroom. A reception in Center Stage Café for the award winners and presenters will precede the ceremony, which is by invitation only.

The Razor Walker Award, established in 1993 by the UNCW Watson School of Education, is recognized as one of the state’s most prestigious and unique service awards. It is presented annually to a select group of individuals and a corporation who have, through commitment and tenacity, made a significant impact on the lives and the education of children in North Carolina.

The 2003 recipients are:

Harris Teeter – Through its “Together In Education” program, Harris Teeter donates thousands of dollars each year to local schools to help them buy needed supplies to educate children. Since its inception in August of 1998, the program has contributed $3,443,287 to schools across seven southeastern states and the District of Columbia.

District Attorney John E. Carriker – He has demonstrated his vision for helping youth in the community before they become a part of the criminal justice system by establishing a teen court and other programs that have helped child victims and their families access local community services such as counseling and support groups, and educated the child victim about the judicial system in an age-appropriate manner.

U.S. Sen. John Edwards – His emphasis on public school reform aims to improve education both in North Carolina and in the nation. His platform is based on financial incentives encouraging people to teach, increasing teacher salaries, and finding ways to persuade them to live in neighborhoods near their schools. He also is encouraging stronger connections between colleges and secondary schools.

Nathaniel Irvin II – An innovator striving to reach the minds of America’s young people with a focus on their future, Irvin founded Future Focus 2020 to work with groups and organizations, particularly young people, to examine social, political, economic, technological and environmental issues that are expected to have the greatest effects on urban communities by the year 2020. He is the assistant dean for MBA student development at Wake Forest University and executive professor of future studies.

Tannis Nelson – President of the North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers, Nelson has served on numerous nonprofit boards addressing education, health and welfare needs of children and their families. She has fought for more state funding for education at all levels, sought private funds in support of education and youth, and currently serves on boards in support of children, youth, and education at the local, state and national levels. Her efforts include: promoting parent and family involvement, supporting character education, and addressing 100 percent tobacco-free schools.

Constance Parker – She is the founder and executive director of Wilmington Health Access for Teens, (WHAT), a health care center that provides comprehensive physical and mental health care to unserved and underserved teens in Southeastern North Carolina. Since 1997, more than 4,500 teens have made more than 36,000 health care visits to WHAT, not including those who have participated in the health education and community outreach programs. The teen pregnancy rate for New Hanover County has dropped from 86 to 49 per 1000 and the emergency room use by teenagers for non-emergency visits has decreased.

Dan Strickland – Under Strickland’s leadership as associate superintendent of Columbus County Schools, the system’s arts education program has progressed to become one of the premier programs in the state. His creative resourcefulness has engaged the entire community in providing human, material, and fiscal resources for supplies/ materials, technology, facilities, productions and equipment - all designed for enhanced learning opportunities for children and appreciation of the arts by the citizenry.