I would like to nominate Dennis Sheer for the 2017 Advocate of the Year. Dennis is currently the President of Sister Schools of Wilmington, a position from which he will retire after 22 years of service this fall. I believe that Dennis’ leadership in this organization makes him the perfect candidate for the Advocate of the Year award. The organization’s mission statement is:

To promote peaceful relations between the people of Wilmington and our Sister Citiesthrough educational, cultural, and artistic exchanges.

The director of the Wilmington Children’s Chorus perhaps said it best:

"This kind of immersive learning is so very important for young people,” says WCC Artistic Director Kimberly Doucette. “To experience the history and the culture of Europe in person, to have the experience of ‘walking in the shoes’ of people from another part of the world, to try speaking their language, to share a meal with them, gives these kids a perspective that will stick with them for the rest of their lives on any path they take, not just while they make music.”

Dennis has a long history with both Delaware and education. After pursuing a doctorate in American Literature, Dennis went on to teach at Goldey-Beacom College which then propelled him to a variety of leadership positions including Director of Resource Development for Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware and Kiwanis International. Through this organization, he served as Wilmington West/Brandywine Valley President in 1990 and 2006 and 7th District Distinguished Lieutenant Governor in 1992.

But it is primarily for his accomplishments as President of Sister Cities that I nominate him. Currently Sister Cities has partnerships with France, England, Germany, Nigeria, and Sweden. The accomplishments of this organization are too numerous to cite, therefore I will cite the most recent or salient international initiatives:

Sweden: Official Visit of the Mayor of Kalmar and the Vice Governor of the County of County Kalmar, for the 20th anniversary celebration of the ship Kalmar Nyckel launching.

Exchange between students in Kalmar and students at the Wilmington Friends School.

Germany: Official Exchange Visit between the Wilmington Children’s Chorus and the Fulda Youth Chamber Orchestra, for “musical and cultural immersion” and culminating in a joint concert (July 24-30, 2017).

Italy: Official Exchanges of administrators, teachers, students, and parents between Leonardo da Vinci Media and St. Anthony’s schools.

France: Official Visit of chocolatier Gérard Menétrier to the Mid-Atlantic Wine and Food Festival, as well as Nemours Mayor Valérie LaCroute. Nemours will be hosting a visit by David Cole, Executive Director of the Hagley Museum, with Board and DuPont family members, this fall.

Nigeria: Official Visit of delegation from Nigeria for April Art Loop exhibition in the City County Building.

With a $100,000 grant from the Sister Cities International African Urban Poverty Alleviation Program, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the development of 28 wells throughout Osogbo, to provide potable water, thereby promoting good health and sanitation. (2010-2013).

For 2015 exchange, Sister Cities of Wilmington won the Sister Cities International award for Innovation: Youth and Education, 2016 (in cities with less than 100,000 population).

I encourage the committee to vote for this candidate whose service to International Exchange is unrivaled in our state. It is a timely moment to honor Dennis Sheer as well, as he is retiring from Sister Cities of Wilmington after a total of 25 years of service, 22 as its president. I am forwarding letters of support for Dennis Sheer’s nomination.

Sincerely,

Andea LaCombe