The Board of Education of Charles County at its Feb. 10 meeting honored five students for achievements in academics, personal responsibility and career readiness.

The students recognized were fifth graders Nancy Anyanwu of C. Paul Barnhart, Taahirah Diggs of Dr. Gustavus Brown and Santiago Real of Arthur Middelton elementary schools, eighth-grade student Trieu Nguyen of John Hanson Middle School and Erica Hall, a junior at Henry E. Lackey High School.

Anyanwu consistently demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, responsibility and motivation. “It is rare to find a student who combines such high ability with strong work habits and personal accountability,” Barnhart Principal Carrie Burke said. Anyanwu earns straight A’s, reflecting her commitment to her education. In reading, she excels with gifted curriculum, showing advanced comprehension, critical thinking and a deep engagement with complex texts. In math — Anyanwu takes sixth-grade accelerated math — she demonstrates outstanding understanding and confidence. She has been a member of the Barnhart Math Team for two years, helping lead the team to a Top 5 finish last year. She is looking to repeat that success this spring during the elementary math challenge. Anyanwu, a leader among students who supports her peers and explains strategies clearly, earned the highest fall i-Ready scores at Barnhart.

As a student at Dr. Brown, Diggs is known as a student with a myriad of interests. She enjoys math and writing; she crochets and draws and likes swimming and spending time outdoors. The Roblox video game is a favorite of hers because it allows her to use her creativity and problem-solving skills in another way. “Taahirah is truly a student who never stops exploring,” Karen Lewis, the principal of Dr. Brown, said. Recognized for personal responsibility, Diggs displays the trait by being a reliable member of several clubs at school including Destination Imagination (DI), the math team and Butterfly Club. “The activities allow her to strengthen her academic abilities, collaborate with peers and stretch her creativity—skills she brings back to the classroom every day,” Lewis said. Diggs doesn’t have a favorite subject, instead she said she genuinely loves all her classes. “She enjoys learning about every subject because, in her words, her classes are fun, and she learns something new from each one,” Lewis said. “That enthusiasm for learning is truly special.”

Though just a fifth grader, Real was honored for career readiness which he demonstrates through his leadership, engagement and initiative. “In the classroom, he stands out as an active listener and participant who contributes thoughtfully to discussions and activities,” Nicole Hawkins, principal of Middleton, said. Real receives gifted education services and takes sixth-grade math. He is a popular and kind student who plays a vital role at Middleton. He is a safety patrol, reads morning announcements in English and Spanish, and is a member of the math team, robotics team and Destination Imagination. Outside of the classroom and beyond his commitments to clubs, Real is an athlete playing on several basketball teams in the community. “Santiago’s enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to take on new challenges show the fifth-grade team that he is well prepared for any career path he chooses,” Hawkins said.

An exceptional student recognized for academic achievement, Nguyen is humble, hardworking and driven. She is described by her teachers at Hanson as positive, consistent, creative, kind and helpful. “She has the desire to learn and show her knowledge,” computer teacher Daniel Meltser said. Meltser is a coach for the VEX Robotics team of which Nguyen is a member. Nguyen has maintained straight A’s during her three years at Hanson and when she leaves the school at the end of eighth grade, will already have five high school credits completed, including geometry which she currently takes at Thomas Stone High School. Along with the robotics team, Nguyen is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Beyond academics, Nguyen is a talented artist. “Trieu is such a joy to have in my art class,” teacher Joshua Torres said. “She approaches every assignment with great focus, enthusiasm and creativity. The amount of detail and originality in everything she completes is nothing short of amazing.” Nguyen helps her classmates with subjects they may struggle with. “She is truly on another level,” Michael Sechrengost, science teacher, said. “I see amazing things happening in her future.

Hall is a junior who has been an honor roll student throughout high school and recognized for academic achievement. Beyond academics, it is Hall’s gift as a natural leader that made her stand out to Lackey staff. Hall took the initiative earlier this year to ensure the “show went on” when the chorus was left abruptly without a teacher — in the middle of rehearsals for the winter concert. While administrators scrambled to find a replacement, Hall stepped up on her own and led the group, helping prepare for the winter concert. “She had taken charge and kept rehearsals moving,” Cheryl K. Davis, Lackey’s principal, said. Hall met with an assistant principal and Davis to keep them updated on concert rehearsals and worked with daily substitutes to keep the class on track. “It was Erica who organized the music and class rehearsals,” Davis said. “Her assistance was invaluable.”

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).