1993 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Presented to FRIENDS OF SDPB
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Cookie Monster left Sesame Street to visit South Dakota's Capital at Pierre, to introduce legislators to the Sesame Street Preschool Education Program (PEP). The promotional campaign also included state-wide media, the South Dakota Home Extension Service, national representatives from Children's Television Workshop, local day-care providers and their preschool children, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and the Friends of SDPB.
The day-long celebration in the Capitol started with SDPB staff and Friends hosting a legislative breakfast. Legislators and children from the community had an opportunity to have their pictures taken with Cookie Monster. Friends and SDPB staff manned information tables in the Capitol rotunda, where Cookie was being photographed. cookie then held a press conference to tell the importance of the Sesame Street PEP, of education preschoolers, and the ability of SDPB to help all South Dakotans learn through public television and radio. Native American preschoolers and preschoolers from a Pierre daycare home demonstrated how to participate in the program.
Cookie Monster and the children paraded through the State House and Senate floors while serenading the Legislators with the Sesame Street theme song. CRW officials and SDPB representative were allowed to address the Senators. Being invited onto the legislative floors is a rare honor. Cookie Monster was the envy of the lobbyists waiting outside the chambers.
This unique and creative outreach project was a success because legislative and statewide awareness of the Sesame Street PEP and the educational capability of SDPB were highlighted. Many children of all ages had the chance to meet Cookie Monster and to be hugged by him. This project was the most memorable event held during the Legislative session. It was a fabulous day to be fuzzy and blue!
The day-long celebration in the Capitol started with SDPB staff and Friends hosting a legislative breakfast. Legislators and children from the community had an opportunity to have their pictures taken with Cookie Monster. Friends and SDPB staff manned information tables in the Capitol rotunda, where Cookie was being photographed. cookie then held a press conference to tell the importance of the Sesame Street PEP, of education preschoolers, and the ability of SDPB to help all South Dakotans learn through public television and radio. Native American preschoolers and preschoolers from a Pierre daycare home demonstrated how to participate in the program.
Cookie Monster and the children paraded through the State House and Senate floors while serenading the Legislators with the Sesame Street theme song. CRW officials and SDPB representative were allowed to address the Senators. Being invited onto the legislative floors is a rare honor. Cookie Monster was the envy of the lobbyists waiting outside the chambers.
This unique and creative outreach project was a success because legislative and statewide awareness of the Sesame Street PEP and the educational capability of SDPB were highlighted. Many children of all ages had the chance to meet Cookie Monster and to be hugged by him. This project was the most memorable event held during the Legislative session. It was a fabulous day to be fuzzy and blue!