2005 AEE Mid-Atlantic Region Awards
Educator / Practitioner award - Evonn Reiersen of Project Use
Veteran Award - Bud Elzey of Beyond-the-Limits
Rising Star / Novice award - three young men from Garrett College in MD; Matt Garcia, Josh Garcia & Jason Clark
Organization Award - Stony Acres at East Stroudsburg University in PA Under the leadership of Madeline & Chuck Constantine
The Educator / Practitioner Award went to Evonn Reiersen of Project USE.
Evonn has been involved with Project USE & experiential education for over ten years & was instrumental in helping in conceiving their Genesis Farm program. There she has created the blend of adventure education, gardening, health, nutrition, environmental education, cooking & community service into 1 & 2 day courses. She works with a wide variety of youth & students in the Newark, NJ area along with working as part of the organization’s management team. Evonn was described by a co-worker as “a shining star that brings light, laughter & learning to each encounter”.
The Veteran Award was presented to Bud Elzey of Beyond-the-Limits.
Bud has been an educator for over 35 years, with the last 12 years leading the Wicomico Cty. School System’s Beyond-the–Limit program (MD). He has had a hand in the founding & creation of Salisbury University’s Adventure – Based Leadership program & Delmarva Adventures. Bud is known to friends & colleagues as an innovator, a visionary, Mr. Incentive, the ultimate MC, role model, community volunteer & as a leader who has made an incredible contribution to society through love of activity being involved with all in fun, positive & challenging activities.
For the Rising Star / Novice award we found three young men from Garrett College in MD.
Matt Garcia, Josh Garcia & Jason Clark are in the recreation/experiential education curriculum there & expect to be graduating in the near future. The three guys also attended the past AEE Annual Conference in Norfolk, VA, working on the conference’s service crew & taking shifts manning the Garrett College booth in the exhibit hall. Their enthusiasm & zeal for their course work, experiential education & the conference were contagious to all who had the opportunity to interact with them. We’re expecting many years of service in the experiential ed. field from these gentlemen, so keep your eyes (& especially your ears) open for these guys.
Our Organization Award goes to Stony Acres at East Stroudsburg University in PA.
Stony Acres was created in 1962 as a wildlife sanctuary & recreation facility. Under the leadership of Madeline & Chuck Constantine the program has expanded to include cabins, a lodge facility, climbing tower & a large challenge course. Over 3700 participants from elementary through college age school groups, youth-at-risk, sports teams, church groups, along with profit & non-profit groups have shared in the Stony Acres experience in the past year. Stony Acres, through Chuck & Maddy, is the fabric from which the profession of experiential education is created, is a resource for mentor development & an identity that colleagues admire. With over 39 years of collectively facilitating
experiential programs, it’s no wonder that Maddy & Chuck are called the “Chief Fun Hogs”.
