'Pillars of Character'

Sparta teachers win award for distinguished service, By Margaret Witt Sparta — Recently, two of Sparta Middle School’s teachers were honored with the Dwight Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award by the nonprofit organization People to People — two of only 100 awards given out in the United States each year. Bob Gilmartin and Phil Cocilovo were both surprised when they received notification they were being presented with this prestigious award. ”I received an e-mail about a week before they came here telling me they would arrive with a special breakfast for my team and Phil’s team, and that they’d be presenting an award to us,” said Cocilovo. Cocilovo teaches sixth graders Ancient Civilization, and has six other teachers with him on the Topaz team. Gilmartin, who teaches seventh graders World Geography on the Ruby team, explained the award was given to them for recognizing and nominating students who “demonstrated leadership and outstanding character.” Both teachers began nominating students about 2 years ago. Once nominated, the students have the option to become student ambassadors with the People to People program. The program takes them to a conference in Washington , D.C. After completing this program, student ambassadors have the option to enter other programs that can take them all over the world - Australia, Hawaii, Europe, the Mediterranean, China and Japan, just to name a few. Cocilovo nominated seven students the first year, and one did join the People to People program - John Wilkens. This was Sparta’s first student to become an ambassador. He ventured to D.C. and came back talking up the program. Because of Wilken's positive experiences with People to People, four students whom Cocilovo and Gilmartin nominated last December plan on attending this year. ”I like the program because it goes along with our 'Seven Pillars of Character' program within our own school,” said Cocilovo, promoting leadership, honesty and friendship. The group was started by President Eisenhower in 1956. “President Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that ordinary citizens of different nations, if able to communicate directly, would solve their differences and find a way to live in peace,” according to PTP’s Web site. Since it’s inception, eight U.S. presidents have served as honorary chair for the group, and visionaries such as Walt Disney himself have contributed to it — the “It’s a Small World” was inspired by his participation in the PTP International White House conference. “It’s an real opportunity for these kids to participate,” said Gilmartin. With this award, both teachers are also eligible to teach at one of the People to People’s programs. While both Gilmartin and Cocilovo agree it would be a great opportunity to work with the countries top 1% of students, it would be something to consider for the future, not now. For information about the People to People organization, go to its Web site at www.studentambassadors.org.