A longtime Seaford educator and community organizer and service activist, has been awarded the state’s highest honor. Recently, Delaware Gov. John Carney, visited Seaford, and while in town made the special presentation to John Hollis, recognizing his more than a half-century of community service.
In addition to being a teacher, administrator and multi-sport coach for the Seaford School District, Hollis also served in resource development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and as a lobbyist for Nemours Health and Prevention.
John Hollis, retired Seaford School District teacher, coach and administrator, and longtime community activist, received the “Order of the First State,” which was presented by Delaware Gov. John Carney. The award is the highest honor a citizen can receive from the state. Photo courtesy of Linda Hollis
While at Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Hollis personally recruited national country music acts to perform locally and raise money for the youth organization. These included local events at the University of Delaware’s Virden Retreat Campus in Lewes and the Shorebirds Stadium in Salisbury. The concerts featured acts such as Martina McBride, Ricochet, the Charlie Daniels Band, Bryan White, Doug Supernaw and Montgomery Gentry.
One of Hollis’ most nationally recognized and lauded projects is the Minority Engineering Regional Incentive Training (MERIT) Pro- gram, which was formed in 1974, in collaboration with engineers at the Seaford DuPont Nylon Plant.
Currently, MERIT is operated under the direction of the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). According to DCF CEO/ President Stuart Comstock-Gay, MERIT was designed to offer minority students from Seaford and Sussex County academic enrichment and college preparatory opportunities rarely found at the time. “In five decades, thousands of students have graduated from the program, many of whom have gone on to earn bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. dedicated to serving minority youth, his work for the Delaware Community Foundation later in his career was formative in strengthening our then-fledgling southern Delaware office.”
Comstock-Gay went on to say that MERIT has become one of Delaware’s most successful programs for fostering excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among minority youth.
“It has equipped thousands of students with challenging engineering experiences and powerful leadership skills, while encouraging them to pursue college degrees. The program fosters parental involvement, and many MERIT alumni return as volunteers, strengthening the program’s vibrant community and shaping its evolution to meet the needs of future generations,” Comstock-Gay said.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, Gov. Carney was in Seaford, where he was joined by Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, State Representative Danny Short, State Senator Bryant Richardson, Seaford Mayor Matthew MacCoy and other community leaders to announce a $3 million investment in cleaning up a riverfront site for redevelopment as part of the city of Seaford’s revitalization.
The funding will be used by DNREC’s Remediation Section to manage the environmental cleanup of the former city power plant site next to the Nanticoke River. The property is part of a riverfront redevelopment plan by the city and developers David Perlmutter, Faith Perlmutter- Diamond and Warren Diamond. The site is where Seaford’s oil-fired power plant operated for more than 80 years before it was decommissioned in 2015.
Carney visited Hollis following the city presentation, and awarded him the “Order of the First State,” recognizing his more than 50 years of community and statewide service to others.
Hollis, who currently resides at Lifecare at Lofland Park in Seaford, while re- covering from a stroke, said he was happy to see the Governor stop by, but was not prepared for the reason of his visit.
“I assumed he was stopping by for a social visit during the holidays,” Hollis said. “When he told me he was there on official business, I was somewhat perplexed. He then went on to present me with the Order of the First State, and I was absolutely shocked.”
Hollis said he was aware of the significance of the award, and had been present when his longtime friend and former state senator, Bob Venables received the honor, which was also presented by Carney.
“This is such an unexpected honor,” Hollis said. “The idea that Gov. Carney would do this as one of his final acts as governor, is just so humbling and exciting. I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this honor, but I accept it on behalf of the so many people in my life who have been there as the accomplishments were realized, especially my wife, Linda.”
Gay-Comstock added that in addition to Hollis’ roles as an administrator, teacher and coach in the Seaford School District, Hollis also held positions at Delaware Technical Community College and the Delaware Community Foundation. “His numerous recognitions include the John H. Taylor Jr. Award, the MLK Community Recognition Award and the Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award. These all underscore his unwavering commitment to community service,” Gay-Comstock said.
