Elizabeth Breathwaite Student Leadership Award.

The Elizabeth Breathwaite Student Leadership Award ($300) is presented to students who have shown evidence of leadership and participation in professional, social, school, and civic activities; interest in teaching or child-related occupations; and participation in ACEI activities.

The 2006 winners are Sheila Melton and Melissa Anderson.

Sheila Melton is a senior earning her B.S. in interdisciplinary studies, early childhood education, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in Houston, Texas. Sheila has been an ACEI member for three years, serving as Student Branch Secretary (2004-2005), and currently serving as President.

A proven leader among her peers and within her community, Sheila has held countless leadership roles, and been involved with several community service activities. Last year, she served as the co-coordinator for Community Outreach Day, a campus-wide event benefiting area low-income families.

Melissa Anderson is a senior at Villa Julie College in Stevenson, Maryland, earning her B.S. in liberal arts and technology, elementary education. She is described as a "serious student who is dedicated to her academic coursework, and to the children in her internship classroom."

A respected leader among her peers, Melissa has been actively involved in many organizations and committees. An example of her leadership and initiative can be seen in her planning an outreach community service project designed to improve the lives of young children dealing with emotional disabilities. Melissa planned weekend events for the children, who live in a group home, and solicited other ACEI members to join her.