Waldorf, MD— The Board of Education recognized six outstanding students for excellence in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility at its Jan. 10 meeting. Laniya Faulk is a fifth-grade student at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; Edenilson Velasquez-Orellana is a fourth-grade student at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School; Hope Treadway is a fifth-grade student at Gale-Bailey Elementary School; MacKenna Zopelis is a fifth-grade student at T.C. Martin Elementary School; Yachi Madaan is an eighth-grade student at John Hanson Middle School; and Shaun Hange is a senior at Henry E. Lackey High School.
Faulk was recognized in the area of academic achievement. She has attended Barnhart since kindergarten and has a great work ethic toward school. Her teacher describes her as an avid reader, but Faulk said math is her favorite subject. “[I] love working through challenging problems,” she said. Faulk earned straight A’s during the first quarter and was named to the principal’s honor roll. When she’s not at school, Faulk is helpful around the house and helps take care of her two younger sisters, her mother said. She also loves to dance and is an active member of her church choir.
Velasquez-Orellana was recognized in the area of personal responsibility. He is an exemplary student who comes to class each day prepared, ready to learn and participates in all classroom discussions and activities. Velasquez-Orellana not only takes his learning seriously, but he is a role model with his behavior for his classmates. He will help out a peer if he sees them struggling with anything. Velasquez-Orellana has never hesitated to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement. He is a student who strives for excellence in all he does, and works toward achieving his goals. Velasquez-Orellana participates in robotics and is a member of the math team.
Treadway was recognized in the area of personal responsibility. She is a straight A student who always completes her homework and remembers to bring and to practice her trumpet. Her teacher describes her as an awesome student and all around good person. She does her best at all times and is a great role model for others. She tries to keep a positive attitude at school and at home. “I always see the good in things,” Treadway said. At home she helps around the house by sweeping, doing dishes and caring for her dog, cat, three goats and five chickens. In her free time, she enjoys reading and watching television. Among her favorite books are, “Dork Diaries” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”
Zopelis was recognized in the area of career readiness. She is fascinated with learning and growing as a student. In third grade, Zopelis was identified for the gifted and talented program for both reading and math. Since then, she has excelled in all academic areas earning high honors or honor roll in almost every marking period. She wants to be a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse to care for babies that have been born prematurely or who have been born with medical issues. Her career goals were inspired by being born prematurely — 11 weeks early. She hopes to work at Johns Hopkins University one day, the same hospital where she was born and taken care of by Dr. Ben Carson. Zopelis understands in order to reach her career goal, she will need to stay in school and get the grades necessary to continue her education. Not only is she an excellent student in the classroom, Zopelis is a role model for others around her.
Madaan was recognized in the area of academic achievement. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA during sixth and seventh grade. She currently has a 3.7 GPA and is enrolled in the Scholars Program of Study. Her teachers describe her as diligent, enthusiastic and an exemplary role model for her peers. Madaan is involved in the Student Government Association (SGA), National Junior Honor Society, Vex Robotics team, the morning announcement team, chorus and the chamber choir. She is a school leader serving as the SGA president and captain of the Vex Robotics team. Madaan has taken the initiative to run a schoolwide food drive. Her short-term goal is to attend North Point High School to study health occupations, and her long-term goal is to pursue a career in medicine. During her free time, Madaan takes dance classes and instructs younger students at the dance studio. She also assists her parents at their business at St. Charles Towne Center.
Hange was recognized in the area of personal responsibility. He is president and staunch supporter of Lackey’s Key Club. Hange initiated an ongoing town cleanup in Indian Head with Mayor Brandon Paulin, collected nonperishable items for various food drives, assisted with recycling efforts and recently sent six boxes of Christmas cards to U.S. military troops serving overseas. He manages to take part in community-based efforts while also being the president of the science honor society, captain of the cross country team, member of the indoor track team, captain of the outdoor track team, member of the swim team, member of the National Honor Society and the It’s Academic team. Hange maintains principal’s honor roll status and is enrolled in the Project Lead the Way biomedical program. He takes five Advanced Placement (AP) classes and is working on his lifeguarding certification. Hange plans to major in astronomy or biochemistry when he starts college in the fall.
