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Board of Education recognizes exemplary students at November 2023 meeting

The Board of Education at its Nov. 14 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students. Students are honored for accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility.

Honored were Emma Collado of J.C. Parks Elementary School, Briana Henry of Malcolm Elementary School, Logan Smith of Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Logan Boswell of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Cody Judware of St. Charles High School.

Parks fifth grader Collado was recognized in for academic achievement as she has and continues to earn Principal’s honors on her report cards and interim reports. According to iReady data, she is closing in on an eighth grade reading level. “In addition to reading, math seems second nature to Emma, as she demonstrates remarkable abstract reasoning skills,” Kathy Perriello, interim principal, said. Collado scored above the school, county and state average on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in reading and in math. As a student in Marlene Harvest’s class, Collado enjoys participating in the “error analysis” exercises which invites students to identify teacher mistakes. When Collado finds an error, she voices her findings confidently. “Emma demonstrates leadership qualities in the classroom by always helping her peers; she does not give them the answer but instead works with them, so they can draw their own conclusions and arrive at their own correct answers,” Perriello said. Collado’s teachers said she turns in assignments on time and complete. And while she is described as quiet, Collado’s teachers said she is always intently locked in on instruction. In addition to her academic prowess in the classroom, Collado is a member of Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) and the math team. “Emma is a scholar and is a daily reminder to teachers of why they enter the profession,” Perriello said.

Henry is a fifth-grade student at Malcolm and was recognized for academic achievement. She has attended Malcolm since the third grade and has since earned a spot on the Honor Roll every quarter. Henry displays perseverance, dedication and a strong work ethic toward her academics, Scott Hangey, Malcolm’s principal, said. Her favorite subject in school is mathematics which is evident in her achievements in assessments, performance tasks and assignments. “Briana is a student who is a leader and who has demonstrated superb communication skills and leadership potential not only in math groups, but in special areas as well,” Hangey said. “She is quick to help her teachers and peers and strives to fix and solve any problem she may face.” Henry helps teach taekwondo to adults and children and has earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do. She is a member of MESA, chorus and enjoys playing soccer. In her free time, she spends time drawing, perfecting her taekwondo techniques, hanging out with her friends and spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading novels, creating with Legos, problem solving, writing and drawing.

Craik fifth grader Smith was honored for academic achievement having earned Principal’s honors every quarter since third grade. Smith has been identified as a gifted and talented student in reading and math. He has accelerated to the sixth-grade level in math and has participated in Craik’s math team, the Tiger Green Team and Just Say No Club. “He is a phenomenal student academically as well as a role model for his classmates and others,” Craik Principal Jason Deihl said. “Logan is quick to help not only his teachers but any classmate or person in need. He always displays kindness to others and is an overall outstanding student.” In his spare time, Smith enjoys playing on his soccer team, reading books to complete his class’s 40 Book Challenge and spending time with his family, especially his uncle at the firehouse. Smith is a student who displays perseverance, academic success and determination, Deihl said. “He has high expectations and sets goals for himself,” he added.

At Stoddert, eighth grader Boswell is known as a talented leader and student, making him a perfect choice for being recognized for personal responsibility. Throughout middle school, Boswell has continued to strive for academic excellence by earning straight A’s each quarter while in sixth and seventh grade. “He can often be seen engaging in classroom activities and helping his peers to excel,” Stoddert Principal Erica Williams said. “Logan has an incredible amount of intrinsic motivation to learn and succeed.” Boswell is a Stoddert Student Ambassador, providing tours for new families and volunteering to assist staff and students with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) events and projects. Boswell is president of the Tri-M Music Honors Society and helps bridge the distance between band, chorus and orchestra in music department meetings. His work ethic recently earned him first chair viola in the All-County Orchestra. “Logan is not only an outstanding scholar but an outstanding person who has a great deal of empathy and insight for someone his age,” Williams said.

A senior at St. Charles, Judwell is an example of a student prepared to graduate. “Cody is a senior who reflects career readiness,” Principal Tammika Little, said. Which is why staff at the school nominated him in the area of career readiness. Judwell is in the automotive program at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, which he started as a junior. However, he has been working in the automotive field since his freshmen year. Judwell works at a dealership for the past three years learning the ins and outs of the automotive field. In addition to real life experiences, Judwell has earned certifications through his automotive program at Stethem including those in brakes, suspension, engine repair and light repair. He is in the progress of earning four more certifications. “Cody states his love for the automotive field can be credited to his grandfather,” Little said. “When Cody was eight years old, he began working on a Mustang with his grandfather.”

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 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 Kathy Kiessling, 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).