Arnold Delin Award recognizes commitment to diversity
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Twelve high school students were recognized Tuesday for their efforts to promote diversity, understanding and acceptance of others in their schools and communities.
The 23rd Arnold Delin Awards, hosted by the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, were held in the John E. Morgan Auditorium at Penn State Schuylkill. The event was attended by about 40 people, including IU representatives, parents and school administrators who served as facilitators for each winning student.
The award — named after the late community leader and activist Arnold Delin — is presented annually to students who participate in Schuylkill County Youth Conference activities and whose actions promote an appreciation of diversity and inclusion in the community.
Delin, president of the Oheb Zedeck Synagogue Center in Pottsville and the regional chairman of the Anti-Defamation League, died in Orwigsburg in 2015 at age 89.
The presentation was preceded by remarks from Delin's wife, Dolores, who spoke about the importance of diversity and the work that diversity clubs do in schools.
'Diversity made America,' she said. ' … If we didn't have diversity, if we didn't have difference in our country, we'd be a very uninteresting population.'
Dolores Delin speaks during the annual Arnold Delin Awards at Penn State Schuylkill, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
She also urged people to do their due diligence on the upcoming election, which she said is a very important one since it features many contested races for local school board members.
'Take time to understand who these people are,' Delin said, 'and make sure you make good choices because they influence what goes on in the school. They influence your children.'
In a rare occurrence for the award show, Delin's comments touched on political topics. She expressed disappointment in President Donald Trump's recent dismissal of several members of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum board. She also referenced the president's order to cut diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Pennsylvania schools.
Delin also took a moment to recognize the parents of the award recipients.
'They're not what they are today if it had not been for the seed that you planted in your home before they got to the schools, so congratulations to you,' she said.
The Arnold Delin Award went to a high school junior or senior from 12 county schools. Each award winner received a backpack — with a symbol of the program — and a $500 award intended for postsecondary education expenses.
Any recipient attending Penn State Schuylkill is also eligible for a $500 matching scholarship award.
Before the award winners were recognized, the IU showed a presentation displaying projects and activities that the students and their diversity clubs spearheaded after participating in this year's Youth Conference.
Scott Delin, Arnold and Dolores' son, said the symbol on the backpacks represents how the students make a difference.
Scott, a Pottsville Area alumnus, said he remembers his father's deep commitment to social causes.
'I remember growing up, the late-night calls my father would get about some issues that were happening,' Scott Delin said. ' 'Oh, my child was excluded from this,' or 'We can't get into this club.' He'd drop whatever he did to go out and help them. So he made a difference, and you're making a difference. Hopefully, this will set you apart and people will recognize all that you do for your peers.'
Also at the event, Annie Milewski, director of curriculum at IU 29, recognized the contributions of special programs assistant Theresa Kozura, who will retire this year. Kozura said she will miss working with the Delins on the program and hearing about students' accomplishments.
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Annie Milewski speaks during the annual Arnold Delin Awards at Penn State Schuylkill, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Mahanoy Area's Ally Bet sings the national anthem during the annual Arnold Delin Awards at Penn State Schuylkill, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Annie Milewski speaks during the annual Arnold Delin Awards at Penn State Schuylkill, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Ally Bet, a student at Mahanoy Area Junior/Senior High School, opened the event with a performance of the national anthem and concluded it with 'God Bless America.'
The recipients of this year's Arnold Delin Awards and their schools are:
* Maura Dagon, Blue Mountain
* Aidan Milkovits, Marian Catholic
* Rebecca Zula, Minersville Area
* Brody Sophy, Nativity BVM
* Molly Reed, North Schuylkill
* Allison Fisher, Pine Grove Area
* Jaeda Powell, Pottsville Area
* Brenda Holguin, Schuylkill Haven Area
* Angelique Zamudio Carmen, Shenandoah Valley
* Danika Samler, Schuylkill Technology Center
* Lindsey Gerhard, Tamaqua Area
* Mia Artz, Tri-Valley
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