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RICK DURANTE TO BE CO-DIRECTOR OF DELCO HI-Q’s 2006-2007 SEASON Rick Durante, Assistant Vice President and Director of Education at Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU), has been appointed as co-director of the 2006-2007 season of Delco Hi-Q by the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. For the past two seasons, FMFCU has been one of two major corporate sponsors of the academic quiz program for Delaware County high school students. Durante, who is responsible for the credit union’s employees and its youth education programs, has been closely associated with the scholastic competition since 2004. During the coming season, he will share directorial duties with Virginia “Ginger” Beaumont of Kennett Square. Mrs. Beaumont agreed to assume the responsibilities of director during the 2005-2006 season, following the death of longtime Delco Hi-Q director Donna Zerby. “It’s truly an honor to be named co-director of a competition with such a long history,” said Durante of the academic quiz program that originated in Delaware County Pennsylvania in 1948. “I’m looking forward to working with Ginger Beaumont and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit during the 59 th season of Delco Hi-Q. Being involved with such a terrific group of students and supporters is a rewarding experience.” Durante received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Temple University. Along with more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, he also has a background in education. He’s been a substitute teacher for several years and currently teaches and promotes financial literacy in FMFCU’s partnering school districts. He is the primary contact between FMFCU and the school districts, and represents the credit union at school events. Although the position of Delco Hi-Q director is a highly visible one during the on-stage academic competitions, the responsibilities extend well beyond the contests themselves. In the “off season,” the director works on new reference materials with the authors of questions. More than 1,000 questions posed to the student scholars by veteran quizmaster Tom McCarthy must be reviewed and approved, and a schedule of contests for the coming season must be created and finalized. Supplies for the new season also must be ordered. In addition, the director organizes the practice session for all schools and must update all faculty advisors regarding the upcoming season. Also, the director updates and prepares the Delco Hi-Q brochure for the new season, analyzes contest equipment and decides upon any upgrades or replacements. As well, the director must consult with other Hi-Q locations in Alabama, Wisconsin and the state of Washington Further, the program’s Web site must be continually updated as the season progresses and press releases to local newspapers must be sent out by the director after each competition. It’s a demanding job, but Durante is excited about the opportunity to co-direct the Hi-Q program in the coming year and is eagerly anticipating the experience. Mrs. Beaumont also is looking forward to the 2005-2006 season. “Being a co-director with Rick will be great,” she said. “But having him listen to my ideas for Hi-Q or share his suggestions with me isn’t anything new. We’ve been doing that for the better part of a year, and we’ll continue to keep each other on track as preparations begin for the 59 th season of Hi-Q in Delaware County.” The Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber is the primary fundraising and fund administrator for Delco Hi-Q. Program management and production is under the direction of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Said I.U. Executive Director Christopher McGinley of Durante, “With his passion and energy, Rick has added a great deal to the Delco Hi-Q program. We look forward to a future that’s as productive and prestigious as this program has proved in the past.” Delco Hi-Q is the oldest, continuous, academic quiz competition in the United States, founded in 1948. It is a partnership between the Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Major corporate sponsors are Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and the participating high schools. Tom McCarthy is the quizmaster, Dave Bramble is the production engineer and Ginger Beaumont and Rick Durante are Co-Directors. |
