Area Youth Honored at Commerce Bank 'Young Heroes' Award Ceremony at Philadelphia's National Liberty Museum

A gala ceremony at Philadelphia's National Liberty Museum celebrated more than 40 area "young heroes" on Thursday, December 8, 2005. The Commerce Bank Young Heroes Award ceremony recognized youngsters from throughout the Delaware Valley for their personal efforts to create positive change in our community. Honorees from elementary, middle and high schools in the Philadelphia area were honored for their optimism, leadership and creativity in promoting peace and respect among their peers.

Nearly 300 parents, teachers, mentors and "young heroes" attended the celebration, which included an address by Commerce Bank Chairman and President Vernon Hill. Each "young hero" received a Commerce Bank Young Heroes Award medal and certificate and other gifts in an onstage ceremony. Guests were also treated to a musical performance by students from Philadelphia's Archbishop Ryan High School and an inspirational keynote address by teacher and author Salome Thomas-EL.

Of this 5th annual event, Museum Executive Director Gwen Borowsky said, "Our Young Heroes deserve recognition for the many wonderful things they do to make their schools and communities a better place. They take their idealism and put it into action and -- by doing so -- inspire all of us to do better and do more. We're so grateful for all the assistance and generous support we received from Commerce Bank to make this event so successful."

From fundraising and volunteerism to peer mentoring and more, the 2005 "young heroes" have succeeded in spreading peace via a variety of creative endeavors. This year's winners, representing a span of ages, backgrounds and interests, include:

-- Rebecca Fallon Cohen, who trained her poodle to become a Certified Therapy Dog and is herself one of the nation's youngest handlers. Cohen and her dog, Chester, visit area nursing home and pediatric care facility patients every week.

-- Dominique "Peak" Johnson, an integral member of Philadelphia's Project H.O.M.E. Teen after-school program who has been volunteering with other students for three years, in addition to a variety of community activities.

-- Jay Geyer, an honors student and star athlete who speaks publicly about his Tourette Syndrome to promote public awareness.

-- Tien Ca, a Vietnamese immigrant who mastered English to became a tutor for other Philadelphia students, and who overcame debilitating bone cancer treatments to earn entrance into Temple University's pre-pharmacy program.

-- The entire student body of Rydal, Pennsylvania's St. Hilary of Poitiers school, whose Peace Program includes conflict resolution training, anti-bullying signs, a school "peace garden" and other peace-building activities.

The National Liberty Museum is dedicated to celebrating democracy and diversity, promoting respect and defusing violence. Located at 321 Chestnut Street in the heart of Philadelphia's historic district, the Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.