Jeraldine D. Magliulo of Wilmington, a student at the University of Delaware and former student teacher at Mt. Pleasant High School, has been awarded a James Madison fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation of Washington D.C., in its ninth annual competition. Magliulo was Delaware's sole winner, selected from applicants throughout the state.

Magliulo received her bachelor's degree in history education from UD in May and is now a graduate student in history.

Fellowships are given to encourage graduate work by aspiring or experienced middle and high school teachers of American history, government or social studies.

Magliulo is eligible for up to $24,000 in expenses with the stipulation that her curriculum include a concentration of courses on the history and principles of the United States Constitution. The fellowship also requires that she teach secondary education in American history, government, social studies or political science for at least two years.

"From the time I was seven years old, I've wanted to be a teacher, and I've always loved history," Magliulo said. She intends to teach history in middle or high school and is especially enthusiastic when she talks about wanting to "instill a sense of citizenship in young people."

Magliulo said she loved her courses at UD, but it wasn't until her student teaching experience at Mount Pleasant that she knew she had found her niche. "Even after a bad day, I couldn't wait to get to return the next morning. I felt like a duck out of water finally put into the pond. I knew that I was where I belong."

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation is an independent establishment of the executive branch of the federal government founded by an act of Congress in 1986.