The Board of Education at its Oct. 15 meeting honored five outstanding Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students. School principals annually select one student and staff member for Board recognition. Students are honored for accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility.
Honored at the meeting were fifth graders Michael Evans Jr. of Eva Turner and Luke Riffle of Dr. Thomas L. Higdon elementary schools, fourth grader Eliana Pillera of Berry Elementary School, Jace Williams, an eighth-grade student at Piccowaxen Middle School and Oshoke Itsuokor, a La Plata High School senior.
Evans was recognized for academic achievement. He is a standout student at Turner where he particularly shines in his favorite subject — math. “He excels at solving complex problems and enjoys the challenge of pushing his skills further,” Turner Principal Courtney Hrobak said. Outside of the classroom, Evans enjoys playing sports, especially football where he displays mental and physical discipline. “His coaches and family have always emphasized the importance of education, instilling in him the belief that learning comes first,” Hrobak said. “This mindset is reflected in his favorite quote, ‘Student first, athlete second,’ which he lives by, balancing his passion for sports with a strong commitment to academics.”
A fourth grader at Berry, Pillera was honored for academic achievement. She has attended Berry since kindergarten and has been an excellent student in all her academic endeavors, Berry Principal LeighAnn McLaud said. Pillera was identified for gifted services in the second grade, quickly earning grade acceleration to the third grade. She earned the highest Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) scores in Berry’s third grade in both reading and math and made 286% typical growth in reading and 172% typical growth in math in i-Ready assessments. Pillera is a member of the school’s Destination Imagination team which advanced to the state competition, has participated in 1:1 Spanish lessons for the last three years, has taken virtual Scratch classes for coding, and is looking forward to getting involved in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) team this year. While most of her academic achievements are serious, Pillera doesn’t always take herself so. “Eliana and her sister wrote their own stand-up comedy act and wow’d us with their clever humor at the Berry Talent Show,” McLaud said. Pillera is also an athlete, competing in soccer, swimming and basketball.
When Riffle entered fifth grade at Higdon, his kindness, determination and perceptive attitude was noticed by his teachers and the staff. It led to him being recognized by the Board for career readiness. So far, Riffle is maintaining all As in his classes where he displays critical thinking skills. He is an engaged student who asks for clarification, responds and then asks for feedback. “All of this happens with a contemplative, optimistic and positive disposition,” Higdon Shannon Finnegan, Ed.D., said. “These qualities are so appreciated and admired. Luke demonstrates a growth mindset helping to create a positive classroom community.”
Williams is an eighth-grade student at Piccowaxen recognized for personal responsibility. He is a model student at Piccowaxen where he leads, never follows. His teachers said they witness Williams being a good friend and positive role model to other students, as well as being respectful and thoughtful to staff members. “For Jace, personal responsibility is a core value, a part of who he is,” Piccowaxen Principal Waulanda Thenstead said. “He said he believes that it is a necessary tool for everyday life because it gives us the means to make our own choices, to follow through with the tasks we have to do and take ownership of our decisions.” Williams manages his feelings and behavior rather than acting impulsively. He is focused on academics, earning a spot on the honor roll every year he’s been in middle school. He’s a member of the school’s MESA team and plans to study engineering in college. A well-rounded student, Williams also is an athlete who enjoys playing basketball.
A senior at La Plata, Itsuokor was honored for career readiness. He is enrolled in the school’s ProStart program, completing the Food Service Professional II course and the Practical Experience component. Itsuokor was also an NJROTC cadet his first three years of high school. He has grown from a freshman with a 2.25 GPA into a focused senior that has raised his cumulative GPA to a 3.2. Not only has he raised his GPA, he has also enrolled in progressively more difficult courses. This year, he is taking Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes while balancing an afterschool job and extracurriculars. Outside of school, Itsuokor works at Dunkin Donuts in La Plata but still finds time to participate in athletics at La Plata, including the wrestling and track and field. “Oshoke’s teachers and administrators appreciate his hard work in the classroom and know that he will continue to excel in whatever he chooses to do,” La Plata Principal Douglass Dolan said.
To read about staff members honored by the Board at the October 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).