The Board of Education of Charles County at its Jan. 13 meeting honored Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students for their accomplishments in academics, personal responsibility and career readiness.

Those recognized included fourth grader Mikhaila Piper of J.C. Parks Elementary School, fifth-grade students Francis Blumhardt of Dr. James Craik Elementary School and Ava Schenemann of Malcolm Elementary School, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School eighth-grade student Jamal Ray and Carly Newman, a senior at St. Charles High School.

Piper was honored for career readiness. Although she is only in the fourth grade, she is already exhibiting a strong work ethic resulting in high academic achievement, leadership qualities and an interest in learning beyond the classroom. Science is among Piper’s favorite subjects and she has an interest in becoming a marine biologist. “Her love of science, the ocean and living organism shines through in her curiosity, classroom engagement and participation in enrichment opportunities,” Parks Principal Hughes Valmond said. Piper is a member of the school’s SeaPerch Club, which introduces students to engineering and underwater robotics. Piper is also enrolled in fifth-grade math. She is a competitive swimmer and would like to qualify to compete in the Olympics. It is this goal that demonstrates her dedication and discipline, Valmond said. Piper is an Anchor mentor at Parks, working with other student leaders to take on school-based projects and participates in monthly meetings to support new students from military families. “Mikhaila exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded, future ready leader,” Valmond said. “She is a shining example of what it means to be college and career ready.”

At Craik, Blumhardt maintains a 4.0 GPA, earning all A’s from the time he was in third grade. His accomplishments led to him being recognized for academic achievement. “He consistently demonstrates high-level thinking and an eagerness to learn,” Jason Deihl, principal of Craik, said. Blumhardt receives gifted and talented curriculum in reading and writing and has been in grade acceleration math for the past two years. Outside of the classroom, Blumhardt is a musician who plays trumpet in the school band and keeps up private lessons on the instrument to further his skills as a musician. “What makes Francis truly outstanding is not only his intellect and talent, but also his phenomenal character,” Deihl said. Blumhardt is a member of Craik’s Unified baseball team and participates in Craik Buddies, a program that supports and builds friendships between students with and without special needs. Blumhardt is a member of the Craik math and Destination Imagination (DI) teams, and plays on a travel baseball team. He is preparing for his February guest spot on the children’s podcast, “The Big Fib,” which challenges children to use reasoning, logic and interviewing skills to determine which of two guests is a true, credentialed expert in their field. “Francis’s kindness, empathy and leadership enrich our entire school community,” Deihl said.

Schenemann is a student who actively participates in class and pitches in where she is needed. “She is almost always the first one to raise her hand,” Malcolm Principal Scott Hangey said. “She is always willing to step in and helps her peers who may be struggling on an assignment.” Her can-do and helpful attitude made Schenemann a shoo-in for recognition for personal responsibility. She is a role model who is captain of Malcolm’s safety patrol and ensures that all students leave the building and get to their buses safely in the afternoon. “Ava is patient, caring and is always willing to help her classmates and staff,” Hangey said. Schenemann serves as a peer mediator helping resolve issues between students, and is a member of Best Buddies, a program that fosters friendships between students with and without special needs. Outside of school, Schenemann plays soccer on a travel team. She hopes to become a teacher after college.

Eighth grader Ray is ahead of the academic game as an honors student at Stoddert. He takes honors level English, science and social studies, and is earning high school credits in geometry and Spanish. As member of the school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, Ray shows he is dedicated to college and career readiness. His active interest in his studies led to Ray being recognized for academic achievement. “Jamal consistently takes initiative, asks thoughtful questions and seeks resources that support his success,” Marquelle Peavy, Stoddert’s principal, said. Ray regularly challenges himself beyond grade-level expectations and is considered a leader among his peers. He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, a house leader for the school’s Positive Behavioral and Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program and plays volleyball for Stoddert. He juggles his extracurriculars while maintaining high academic standards, making him a role model and a stand out among other students. “His strong work ethic, motivation and leadership set him apart from his peers,” Peavy said.

Currently ranked first in the 362 students in St. Charles’s Class of 2026, Newman was honored by the Board for academic achievement. She is enrolled in the Project the Lead the Way: Biomedical Sciences program and carries a weighted 4.52 GPA. Throughout high school, Newman has taken 12 Advanced Placement (AP) classes including psychology, human geography, U.S. history, pre-calculus, calculus, world history, environmental science, language and composition, and chemistry. She has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the school’s Math Department Excellence Award. Newman serves as co-president of the National Honor Society at St. Charles and vice president of the school’s Red Cross Club. She stays active in athletics playing soccer and working as a certified soccer referee. “Carly’s dedication to academics, leadership and service exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding student,” Tammika Little, principal of St. Charles, said. Newman plans to attend a four-year university to study chemistry. She would like to pursue a career in medicine as a pediatric anesthesiologist.

The Board honors outstanding students and staff each month during its monthly meeting. To read about staff honored at the Jan. 13 meeting, click here.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).