The Board of Education recently recognized five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students in the areas of academic achievement, personal responsibility and career readiness. Those honored during the Dec. 10 meeting were fifth graders Rose Crowley of Dr. James Craik, Elliana Harrell of Malcolm and Brayden Hurst of J.C. Parks elementary schools; Cianna Patterson, an eighth-grade student at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; and DaVe'in Britt, a St. Charles High School senior.

Crowley’s commitment to community service, her academic achievement and participation in extracurricular activities led to Craik recognizing her for personal responsibility. The straight A student excels in elevated coursework and is gifted in reading and math, Craik Principal Jason Deihl said. “Her intellectual curiosity and determination to succeed inspires not only her peers, but also her teachers,” he said. Crowley approaches every subject with curiosity and a willing to challenge herself, often leading group discussions and helping her classmates grasp difficult concepts. She is active in extracurricular activities such as chess club, math team, chorus and Enrichment Club. For several years, Crowley has participated in the Craik Buddies program working with students with special needs and providing them friendship and support. “Rose’s compassion and empathy shine brightly in this setting, as she encourages her buddies to engage and participate, fostering an inclusive environment at school,” Deihl said. Crowley plays soccer and rides horses in her free time.

At Malcolm, Harrell is a model student who has a positive attitude and is fully engaged in learning. She has been a Principal’s Honor Roll student throughout her years at Malcolm, achieving straight A’s each quarter. She receives gifted services in reading and math and has been placed in an enrichment math course where she is learning sixth-grade standards. “She serves as a school safety patrol and works hard to ensure students get to their buses safely,” Malcolm Principal Scott Hangey said. Outside of school, Harrell plays soccer for the Pink Pumas and takes violin lessons. Harrell also devotes time to community service. During the holidays, she and her family volunteer at the Salvation Army in Washington, D.C., to distribute clothing and food to those in need. She would like to become a teacher.

Hurst was recognized for academic achievement as he is dedicated to learning, Parks Principal Hughes Valmond said. Coming from a family of avid readers, Hurst has developed an appreciation for reading and literacy. “He has a natural curiosity and critical thinking ability that motivates him to pursue knowledge independently,” Valmond said. Hurst consistently meets high academic standards, demonstrating an outstanding work ethic, critical thinking skills and a thorough understanding of subject matter. “His commitment to lifelong learning is clear,” Valmond said. “He regularly seeks challenging material and actively engages in classroom discussions, reflecting his genuine passion for learning and intellectual growth.” Hurst is a safety patrol at Parks exemplifying principles of respect, responsibility and readiness. He plans to join the school’s robotics team and is looking forward to designing, building and programming robots for competitions while gaining skills for his future academic and career aspirations. Outside of school, Hurst enjoys exploring new places with family and friends and unwinding with video games.

At Stoddert, Patterson is an exceptional student who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, academic excellence and career readiness. As an Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) student, she consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to her education, and her consistent placement on the honor roll reflects her hard work and determination. Patterson was honored for career readiness and she already has a clear and thoughtful college and career plan in place, Marquelle Peavy, Stoddert’s acting principal, said. Patterson has compiled a list of colleges she plans to apply to, and she is actively researching potential majors to align her academic path with her career aspirations. “This level of foresight and planning shows that Cianna takes her future seriously and is taking the necessary steps to ensure her success beyond high school,” Peavy said. A standout student who not only excels in the classroom, Patterson also is active in Stoddert’s clubs and teams. She is a captain of the school’s dance team, a member of the Stella's Girls mentoring group, an AVID ambassador and a member of the spring track and field team. She also dances at a local dance studio, where she performs in programs held throughout the metropolitan area.

Britt maintains a GPA higher than 4.0 at St. Charles leading to his recognition for academic achievement. “His dedication to his studies, combined with his natural talents, makes him an exceptional student with the potential to become a future leader,” St. Charles Principal Tammika Little said. Throughout high school, Britt has approached his coursework with great care, commitment and thoughtfulness. “He exhibits a positive attitude toward learning and has developed the resilience needed to succeed, even in the face of challenging tasks,” Little said. “What stands out most about DaVe'in is his ability to excel academically while also balancing a demanding extracurricular schedule.” Britt is active in the school’s Mock Trial, ‘Its Academic’ and math teams. He balances extracurricular activities while holding a part-time job. Britt’s academic abilities extend beyond the classroom as well. He achieved an impressive SAT score of over 1400 and earned a perfect score of 5 on at least five different AP exams. Little praised Britt’s character and leadership abilities. “His hard work, passion and leadership have had a lasting positive impact on both the school community and his peers. DaVe'in is truly a remarkable individual, one who is not only capable of achieving great things but also committed to making a difference in the world around him,” she said.

To view the recognition portion of the meeting, click here.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 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).