Dundalk Renaissance Corp. Announces Milestone Award Winners

The Dundalk Renaissance Corp. has announced the recipients of its annual Renaissance Milestone Awards.

The recognition program recognizes the contributions of some of the many people and institutions that help make Dundalk's community revitalization possible, according to a statement from the organization.

During its sixth annual Milestone Awards program, set for March 23, at the Sparrows Point Country Club, the organization will honor the following:

Renaissance Cornerstone Award: "Team Dundalk High"

Team Dundalk High "clearly demonstrates how effective it is when parents, volunteers, students, teachers, staff and administrators come together," according to the statement.

When the school faced a threatened closure in 2008, the newly appointed Shouldice "revamped the staff and energized the entire school toward a new culture and level of accomplishment," DRC officials said in the statement.

Over a three-year period, from 2009 to 2011, High School Assessment scores increased by 40 percent in reading, 13 percent in math and 19 percent in biology; the graduation rate improved from 62 percent to 78 percent and the number of students moving on to some kind of post-secondary education or training jumped from 52 percent to 74 percent.

The team is also credited with deepening the school's engagement with the surrounding community and has made that community more of a partner in its building and events.

Team Dundalk High looks forward to moving into a brand-new, state-of-the-art building slated to open for the 2013-14 academic year.

Principal Shouldice, PTSA President Maxine Erickson and Athletic Booster Club President Linda Jones will accept the award on behalf of the entire school community.

Renaissance Milestone Awards:

Russ Lingner, Sparrows Point High School athletic director, was instrumental in bringing a stadium and athletic lights to Sparrows Point, according to the statement. He also developed the Peninsula Cup, which is the grand prize in an annual athletic competition between the three local high schools (Patapsco, Dundalk and Sparrows Point).

Dundalk Florist is a business staple in the Dundalk community, with more than 100 years of ownership under the same family. The business was cited for being the "go-to place" for expressions of love, sympathy and celebration. The business supports the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce's growth initiatives and leadership, and its participation in Dundalk's annual Fourth of July parade has become legendary.

Dave and Brenda Patro, president and treasurer, respectively, of the North Point Village Civic Association, were cited for their "tireless work" in improving their community, from striving to meet code enforcement regulations, fighting erosion problems facing waterfront portions of the community, engaging the neighborhood's children in a variety of activities and efforts and taking leadership roles in beautification initiatives.

The Renaissance Milestone Awards will be presented during a celebration beginning at 6 p.m. March 23, at the Sparrows Point Country Club, 919 Wise Ave.

Tickets cost $75 each, and tables of 10 can be reserved for $750.

To make reservations, call Jacki Crandell at the DRC office, 410-282-0261; send an email to jacki@dundalkusa.org; or visit the DRC website.