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Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation highlights grant activities
Students inform, entertain Friends of Cape members at annual event
Students and staff shared their personal stories of how grants received from the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation (CHEF) have broadened their experiences and helped shape their futures at the Friends of Cape members’ event Nov. 18 at Cape Henlopen High School.
The evening began with a short video (https://youtu.be/abwKB391-Aw) highlighting some of CHEF’s grant recipients from the last year. In welcoming attendees to the event and thanking them for their support, Cape School District Superintendent Jenny Nauman said “Since 2007, CHEF has contributed an amazing $483,375 to 523 grant awardees! Just last year alone, CHEF gave out 57 Teacher Grants and 8 Performing Arts Scholarships for a total of $76,520!”
Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Dr. Jenny Nauman said since 2007, CHEF has contributed $483,375 to 523 grant awardees.
One of those grant recipients, Sussex Consortium Vocational Coordinator Pam Graves, discussed the grant she received for the Sussex Consortium Art Show. Graves mentioned that the Sussex Consortium After School Art Program started in 2010 with a grant provided by Very Special Arts Delaware, which is now Art Works For All. In the 2024-2024 school year the grant only covered the cost of the artist in residency and art supplies. Graves continued, “Thanks to a generous grant from CHEF we were able to showcase our student’s artwork at an art show held for families, community members and Consortium staff in the cafeteria at Cape Henlopen High School.”
The Cape Jazz Band, which provided music during the event, has also received many grants from CHEF throughout the years for art scholarships, band competition expenses, as well as opportunities to go on field trips to enhance their experiences with the arts. CHEF awarded 8 Performing Arts grants this year for a total of $10,415. Attendees were treated to a performance from Skylar Jamele, who attended the Broadway Evolved Musical Theater in New York, NY. In addition, the Cape Chorale, which have also received several CHEF grants, performed a medley of songs.
Another grant recipient, Cape Supervisor of Special Programs, Dr. Eileen Baker, discussed a CHEF grant she received for the Special Olympics Cape District Bocce Tournament. She started her presentation by mentioning that the Sussex Consortium was chosen as the Unified School of the year for Delaware. This year, thanks to a CHEF grant, the Unified Sports Program will expand to middle schools in the Cape Henlopen School District.
Cape Supervisor of Special Programs, Dr. Eileen Baker, discusses the Cape Unified Sports Program.
Attendees also heard about two programs at H.O.B. Elementary that focus on leadership, community, and accountability. “Guys With Ties’ and “Girls With Pearls” encourages students to be role models, while exposing them different career opportunities.
Cape Henlopen Human Resources Supervisor Ned Gladfelter wrapped up the presentations by discussing the “Grow-Your-Own Para to Teacher Program”. The program is a community-based initiative designed to address teacher shortages and promote diversity in the teaching profession. The goal of these programs is to recruit and support individuals already working in schools—particularly paraeducators —to transition into full-time certified teachers. One of the main obstacles that paraeducators identified in advancing g their careers is money – the cost of the programs, certification exams, and trying to maintain living expenses while being a student. Thanks to a CHEF Grant, $10,000 in funds is supporting our paraeducators with their financial costs. Trevor Reed, a paraeducator at Mariner Middle School who is in the “Grow-Your-Own Para to Teacher Program” said, “Due to CHEF provided tuition reimbursement, it has allowed me to pursue this journey with great confidence.”
CHEF President Calvin Jackson said this year’s goal is to give away $100,000 in grants, and it needs help from the community to raise these funds, including by attending the annual Winter Jam on March 6, 2026, at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. He also encouraged attendees to donate to CHEF through the Friends of Cape program. Community members can donate to CHEF in escalating amounts and receive invitations to events, tickets to Winter Jam and more.
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE RECEPTION CLICK HERE.
TO VIEW VIDEO FROM THE RECEPTION CLICK HERE.
CHEF Winter Jam benefits educational programs
The event featured music by the Blue Label Band, small bites, auction items and a live gift card pull.
All proceeds from the event benefit educational programs. So far, CHEF has contributed more than $411,000 in grant funds for teachers and students, unfunded or underfunded classroom projects, and offers support for homeless and limited-income students, STEM initiatives, performing arts education, and training and programs to promote diversity and inclusion.
CHEF IN THE NEWS
CHEF showcases its work for Cape community
The purpose of the event was to showcase the things CHEF does to support the students and staff of Cape Henlopen School District.
Since its inception, CHEF's funding objectives have changed slightly, but the focus remains on providing resources that will help Cape Henlopen School District students develop their full potential and excel. Over the past 14 years, CHEF has contributed $411,000 to 458 grant awardees. Just last year alone, CHEF gave out 50 grants totaling $79,960.
“The Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation seeks to inspire learning and to prepare all students for a healthy, productive life in a diverse and global society,” said Jenny Nauman, assistant superintendent of Cape Henlopen School District. “To accomplish this, we seek to engage the entire community – educators, parents, business, civic and legislative leaders – in providing students with the tools they need to excel.”
Jackson named Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation president
In 2019, Jackson ran for a seat on the Cape Henlopen School District school board. While he didn’t win a term, he found himself on the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation radar.
CHEF officials reached out to Jackson, a retired public relations professional, for his help on its communications and marketing committee.
“Before I knew it, I was vice president,” he laughed.
Now, Jackson has been named to a three-year term as CHEF president, taking over from Rick Grier-Reynolds.
“The only reason I took it on was because Rick agreed to stay on as vice president,” Jackson said. “His institutional knowledge and contacts are so valuable to us.”
Connie Kaden kept her seat as CHEF secretary and Gavin Radka remains treasurer for the organization, which comprises all volunteers except Administrative Manager Ashley Reynolds.
Many volunteers have no ties to the Cape district, other than they moved to the area, Jackson said.
“But we want to give back to the community, so what better way to give back than through the school district,” Jackson said.
Since its inception more than two decades ago, CHEF has raised more than $300,000 that it has awarded in grants to Cape teachers and students.
In the 2023-24 school year, CHEF awarded 42 teacher grants totaling $61,000 and eight performing arts student grants totaling $19,000, Jackson said.
“It’s been incredible for me to see those kids with performing arts grants blossom in their talent and as individuals,” he said.
Teacher grants are awarded for activities including class field trips, robotics program start-ups, clay and art supplies, and funding the therapeutic horseback riding program for Sussex Consortium students, Jackson said.
Everything is running smoothly with CHEF, said Jackson, who plans to extend services to underserved students who can slip between the cracks by working with social workers at each school.
“They know much better than we do where the need is,” he said.
The entire school district has been terrific to work with because they all believe in providing children with the same opportunity for a great education, Jackson said.
“We couldn’t do any of this without community support,” he said.
CHEF’s next event is Friends of Cape, set for Tuesday, Oct. 15, when students and teachers will share how awarded grants have impacted their education. CHEF’s signature event, Winter Jam, is set for Friday, March 7, 2025, at The Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach with food, live music and auction items.
For more information or to donate, go to chef-cape.org.
