The Board of Education of Charles County on June 2 honored several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) volunteers as part of the 2025 Be the Difference Awards program. During the recognition ceremony held at North Point High School, the Board recognized several award nominees for their contributions to the school system.

The Board first launched the volunteer awards recognition program in 2018 to highlight the contributions of those who volunteer in schools to enhance teaching and learning. CCPS principals and administrative teams could nominate a volunteer from their school for the award. Volunteers from the elementary, middle, and high school levels were recognized.

From among the nominees, a subcommittee comprised of Board of Education members chose an overall award recipient in each respective category. A total of 36 finalists were named in the 2025 awards program. The overall award recipients chosen this year include the following volunteers.

• Antonio and Melissa Mateo, elementary school volunteers, Berry Elementary School.
• Shahara Rogers, middle school volunteer, Theodore G. Davis Middle School.
• Jose Pereira, high school volunteer, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center.

The Mateos are a husband-and-wife duo and parents of students at Berry. Their dedication to the school, active involvement, and genuine commitment to improving the educational experience for all students are among a few reasons why they were recognized and nominated for the award.  

Rogers assists with the annual career fair at Davis and supports the library/media center with its daily activities and routines. She completes tasks in the library such as organizing the collection, arranging the center to meet the needs of the students for daily instruction and creating displays for student clubs.

Pereira is the general manager at Flagship Carwash and has worked closely with Stethem over the last three years. He assists the automotive program at the school through donations and providing internship opportunities and afterschool jobs to students in the automotive career and technical education (CTE) program at the school.

Finalists in the awards program

Elementary School Parent Volunteer

• Pat Stokes, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School.
• Antonio and Melissa Mateo, Berry.
• Chante Stephens, Billinglsey Elementary School.
• Carolyn Simmons-Kidd, Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School.
• Betsy Graves, Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
• Nianni Dixon, William A. Diggs Elementary School.
• Jeremy Gray, Gale-Bailey Elementary School.
• Darrell and Renee Bramer, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
• James Tabourne, Indian Head Elementary School.
• Darius Jackson, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School.
• Hannah Sensabaugh, Malcolm Elementary School.
• Susie Morgan, T.C. Martin Elementary School.
• Rachel Settle, Mary H. Matula Elementary School.
• Amber Banks, Arthur Middleton Elementary School.
• Adrian Tewell, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
• Mark and Lauren Galgan, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School.
• Jakisha Gray, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School.
• Tiffany Emmons, Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
• Tina Clapsaddle, J.C. Parks Elementary School.
• Keith Elkins, J.P. Ryon Elementary School.
• Maria Kane, Eva Turner Elementary School.
• Anastasiya Regennitter, William B. Wade Elementary School.

Middle School Parent Volunteer

• Shahara Rogers, Davis.
• Kimberly Mack, John Hanson Middle School.
• Jeneen Davis, Matthew Henson Middle School.
• D’Nifra Figaro, Mattawoman Middle School.
• Shelly Tucker, Phoenix International School of Arts (PISOTA).
• Carrie Holt, Piccowaxen Middle School.
• Leigh Falkler, Milton M. Somers Middle School.
• Sarita Lambert, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.

High School Parent Volunteer

• Joanne Broussard, Henry E. Lackey High School.
• Theresa Shasho-Clark, La Plata High School.
• Jonathan Moore, Maurice J. McDonough High School.
• Debbie Hall, North Point High School.
• Dawn Inscoe, Thomas Stone High School.
• Jose Pereira, Stethem.  

To view the photos from the event visit https://zenfolio.page.link/Y6FQD.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 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).