[ Home ] [ Parents of the Year 2006 ] [ 2006 Excellence in Parenting Awards ]
[ Home ] [ Parents of the Year 2006 ] [ 2006 Excellence in Parenting Awards ]
| The National Excellence in Parenting Awards are presented each year to outstanding parents by the National Parents' Day Council. The 2006 national recipients have been honored at special events in each of their states. |
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| OSCAR AND SHARON ROSSUM of Pennsylvania |
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| OSCAR AND SHARON ROSSUM
are the parents of 6 beautiful children ranging in age from 12 to 20
and have been married for 28 years.
Reverend Oscar is the senior pastor and founder of Needless to say, education
is a priority in the Rossum family. Daughter Carissa, 18, just
graduated a few days ago with honors and a 4.2 grade-point
average. The oldest daughter, Ciara,
was President of her graduating class 2 years ago, and also was a star
athlete. The children have all received honors for academics, sports
and/or music. The
Rossum children are involved in many extracurricular activities
including PSI (Postponing Sexual Involvement), Future Leaders of York,
National Honor Society, Student Council, Black and Latino Male Task
Force, etc. And they
can sing! In March 2004, the 5 oldest, having formed a singing
quintet, won first place at the legendary Apollo Theater in The
Rossums are known for making their home available to youth of all ages
at all hours. They also took in Jylieq, a youth who had lost his
biological father in a tragic situation, as a member of their family.
It is little wonder that the Rossums have been honored by the
city of |
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| JAMES AND
DOROTHY RICHARDS
of |
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James and Dorothy Richards
have been married for 27 years.
They have one daughter, Jamie, who is fifteen years old. James is
known as "Coach" to many thousands after having coached the What
truly sets them apart in the realm of parenting is that, over the
years, they have taken a total of 14 troubled or needy youth
right into their home, as their own
children. This was not under a foster care program. The Richards
received no support, financial or
otherwise, in this noble endeavor. Some of the children were from
deeply troubled homes where drugs and violence had played havoc in
their young lives. Many were from the "projects"....which is
where James Richards grew up. So, he knew first hand what challenges
they were going through. Taking in near strangers from rough
backgrounds right into your home as members of your family is
extraordinary. To do it once would be very commendable, but the
Richards did it 14 times! Dorothy
often played the role of disciplinarian, but just the threat of
receiving Coach's anger proved to be an effective preventative for
misbehavior in most cases. Many
of these children are now grown and they testify that the Richards literally
saved their lives by their unconditional parental love.
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