Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey® Proudly Announces Wicomico County’s Barnum Award Winners

(Salisbury, MD) In 2010, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey launched The Barnum Award which honors the spirit of P.T. Barnum, creator of The Greatest Show On Earth, and his contributions to society by identifying and celebrating children who give back to their own communities in creative and innovative ways.

The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center was pleased to announce that Salisbury, MD was one of more than 75 cities throughout the United States selected to participate in the program. Nominations for children from Salisbury and the surrounding area were accepted online through March 19, 2010 and were reviewed by a local panel of judges. The panel included Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., WMDT-47 News Anchor Katherine Amenta, and George Whitehead Professor of Psychology at Salisbury University and co-author of the newly released book A Glorious Revolution for Youth and Communities: Service-Learning and Model Communities.

After reviewing all nominations, the judges were asked to select the top three nominations for a Gold, Silver and Bronze Barnum Award. This proved a very difficult task, as County Executive Pollitt explained, “These are remarkable children.” The Gold and Silver Barnum Award Recipients are*:

Gold Barnum Award Recipient: Sarah Bell of Sussex County, Delaware
Bell grew fresh vegetables to benefit the Seaford Community Food Closet, which benefits local low income clients through donations. She grew over 100 pounds of vegetables and also launched a campaign at local farmers markets to encourage others to donate.
Silver Barnum Award Anita Grace Stevenson of Wicomico County, Maryland
Stevenson has helped raise over $50,000 for Relay for Life. She has baked cookies, participated in walks and also donated her hair to Locks of Love.
Along with a Barnum Award medal, each recipient will receive a cash award to help them in their future community service efforts ranging from $1000 to $500. Additionally, all three recipients will be honored at 7:30pm on the opening night performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Illuscination at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, April 1. They and their families will also be invited to stay and enjoy the show.

Additional performances of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Illuscination will take place at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on:

Friday, April 2 at 10:30am and 7:30pm
Saturday, April 3 at 11am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, April 4 at 3pm

Tickets for all performances are still available. Opening night tickets begin at just $12 while seats to all other shows start at $14 (additional taxes/fees may apply) Please visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, call 410-548-4911 or stop by the Box Office to purchase tickets.