The Board of Education honored five students on Tuesday, Jan. 13 for excellence in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility. Honored were Andi Bailey, fifth grade, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School; Kallyn Gold, fifth grade, William B. Wade Elementary School; Manita Opoku, fifth grade, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School; Terrence Griffin, eighth grade, Matthew Henson Middle School; and Dejane Vera, junior, Westlake High School.
Bailey was honored by the Board in the area of academic achievement. She has received several principal’s honor roll awards and scored at the advanced level on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) in both mathematics and reading. Bailey is a member of the Just Say No Club, math team, Destination Imagination, chorus, and also plays the flute in the school band. Her artwork has been displayed as part of a show held annually at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building and at the Charles County Fair. She is a positive example of a role model for her peers.
Gold was honored by the Board in the area of personal responsibility. She is an honor roll student who is well known for her positive attitude toward learning. She participates in several school-related activities such as the math team, Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA), and computer bowl and is a member of the school safety patrol. Gold is also involved in several community-based organizations including the Girl Scouts, UNICEF, and recently participated in a 5K marathon walk/run to benefit diabetes awareness. Gold is a reliable student and serves as a role model for others.
Opoku was honored by the Board in the area of academic achievement. She is an honor roll student and is well known among her teachers as a hard worker who enjoys helping others. Opoku has attended Jenifer since kindergarten and has been recognized at the school level for her academic performance and demonstrating personal responsibility. She has also received several awards for her attendance. She is a member of the school drama club, math team and is part of the gifted and talented program. Outside of school, Opoku enjoys reading fiction books.
Griffin was recognized by the Board in the area of career readiness. He is a member of the Henson student government association (SGA) and the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). He is well known among his teachers as a student who displays determination and is focused on his future and academic goals. Griffin maintains honor roll grades and plans to have a career as a computer animator after he finishes his studies. To better prepare for his future, Griffin recently conducted research during winter break to find colleges and universities that offer computer animation degree programs.
Vera was recognized by the Board in the area of academic achievement. She is a hard-working student who completes her classwork and related assignments on time. She is consistently engaged in the classroom and goes beyond the minimum requirements to learn. As a student in the multimedia program at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Vera stands out among her peers for her enthusiasm. She is also helpful in acclimating new students to the Stethem campus. Her teachers describe her as a role model student that is a pleasure to have in their classrooms.
Each month the Board of Education honors students for their success in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility.