by: Leila Gay Evans
To devote over 38 years of service to various roles in Washington, D.C. within the Federal government requires strength, determination, intelligence and perseverance. Those are only a few of the many qualities that Judith Shellenberger possesses. Judi left Aurora, NY, when she graduated from high school with the dream of a career in Washington, D.C. where she could use the skills she had gained and could pursue a career much broader than what was offered in her hometown.
Judi was recruited by the F.B.I for her first government job. She moved on to Capitol Hill where she held various positions which included working in the Congressional Office of Charles E. Bennett (D-FL); the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment process of President Richard Nixon; and finally in the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs for the Honorable Frank Annunzio, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs & Coinage and ultimately Financial Institutions. Having matured and benefited from each of these jobs, she found her finest role by working for Congressman Annunzio, where she remained for 16 years.
It was also there that she helped to develop legislation for the "Young Astronaut Medal Program," which promoted educational excellence in both elementary and secondary schools with emphasis on the importance of math and science. Through this program, the seeds were sown for working with students who had a love and interest in Science.
In her role with coin program legislation, Judi was essential in the promotion of the Christopher Columbus coins minted by the United States Mint commemorating the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. In addition to the sale of Columbus coins, the United States Congress established the very important and extremely valuable Federal Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. The Foundation's mission is "to promote and encourage discovery," continuing the vision that Christopher Columbus had when he set sail from Europe over 500 years ago.
The Foundation is governed by a bipartisan Presidential-appointed Board of Trustees, and it developed a three-tiered Frontiers of Discovery-Past, Present and Future program. Judi Shellenberger was entrusted with implementing the Foundation's mission and became Executive Director of the new government agency.
The Christopher Columbus Foundation presented the Frank Annunzio Awards to Columbus Scholars who had or were currently performing "cutting edge" scientific work. The Foundation also partnered with Discover Magazine to honor Americans through the Discover Awards. In 1996, the Foundation partnered with the Bayer Corporation and the National Science Foundation to provide teams of middle school students in grades 6-8 with an opportunity to make a difference by solving a community issue using the scientific method.
The 12-year old program, now known as the Christopher Columbus Awards, provides eight finalist teams and their coaches with a week at Walt Disney World® for final judging. The teams also attend the Christopher Columbus Academy, where they see the magic behind the scenes, a rare opportunity to learn extent of the science and engineering that is Walt Disney World. Judi has dedicated herself to making sure that this program continues.
She has not stopped there, however. With the support of the Foundation's Board, Judi has added other programs as funding permitted. The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation's nine-year partnership with the National Museum of Education inducted outstanding United States students into the National Gallery for America's Young Inventors. For seven years the partnership also created and sponsored the Freida J. Riley Teacher Award, which continues today. This partnership also offered "Student Ideas for a Better America", which provided student inventors from grades K-12 with monthly prizes. In addition, together the National Museum of Education and the Christopher Columbus Foundation administered "Marine Quest 1492" along with the University of Akron Upward Bound High School Science and Math students, who are still seeking a solution to the invasive satellite tags which provide information for tracking whales, sea turtles and porpoises. This project is studying polymers as alternatives.
Today the Christopher Columbus Foundation is implementing several new programs. As America changes, Judi works with the Board and potential sponsors to continually encourage and promote new discoveries. These programs include the $25,000 Homeland Security Award, which is presented to a company or individual working in the homeland security arena. The four Life Science Awards are presented to a scientist/researcher, high school teacher teaching Advanced Placement Biology or Chemistry, and high school students who excel in AP Biology and Chemistry respectively. Finally, Judi is creating new Agriscience Awards, which will be given to those working in the agricultural field for the first time this spring. Because Judi is such an honorable and dedicated individual, she will see that these programs flourish and grow.
Judi Shellenberger's personal dedication to the advancement of Science and the support of excellence in America has been passed on to her two children. Judi's daughter, Sharyn Prindle, is an Assistant Principal in Fairfax County, VA, where she initially worked as an elementary and Special Education teacher. Judi's son, Army Staff Sergeant Michael Shellenberger, has been deployed three times in the Middle East--twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, where he was honored to receive the Bronze Star.
Judi has not only given nearly 40 years of public service to our country, she and her husband of 35 years, have raised two amazing young adults who followed in her footsteps and found a way to successfully give back to America. She is the finest role model of teaching by example. The Shellenbergers are a family of great Americans, who quietly dedicate themselves to making America even stronger, all without expecting great recognition -- content in knowing that they are making a difference.
For more information on the Foundation's programs, please visit www.columbusfdn.org, www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org, and www.christophercolumbusawards.com.
Judi Shellenberger may be contacted at judithmscolumbus@cs.com or (315)258-0090.
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