La Plata, MD – The Charles County Board of Education recognized five public school students at their Oct. 14 meeting in La Plata.
Jack Goodwin, a fifth-grader at Gail-Bailey Elementary School in Marbury; John Gibson, fifth-grader at Mary H. Matula Elementary School in La Plata; Allissa Barnes, a fifth-grader at Arthur Middleton Elementary School in Waldorf; Emily Maljak, an eighth-grade student at Milton M. Somers Middle School in La Plata; and Jordan Parker, a senior at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret, all received special recognition at the Board of Education’s Tuesday meeting.
Gail-Bailey Elementary School Principal Toni Melton-Trainor praised Jack Goodwin, who she said competes in the Math Challenge.
“He likes math,” she said. “He is constantly on the principal’s honor roll. Jack wants to be an engineer, with his love for mathematics, he is well on his way.”
Melton-Trainor added that Goodwin was a responsible student who turns in all assignments and lauded his strong work ethic.
“Jack advises other students to do a thing right the first time,” she said. “This way you don’t have to do them again.”
Mary H. Matula Elementary School Principal Carrie Richardson introduced the board to fifth-grader John Gibson, saying that even back in kindergarten teachers were commenting on John’s caring attitude.
“In second grade, he was a good and caring friend to everyone,” Richardson said. “In third grade he had a positive attitude 100 percent of the time.”
She credited Gibson with always turning in homework on time and being a standout student.
Sabrina Robinson-Taylor, principal at Arthur Middleton Elementary School, gave praise to fifth-grader Allissa Barnes, saying she skipped second grade on her way to outstanding achievements. Robinson-Taylor said Barnes was a member of the school’s math team and was involved with music, art and library “because she likes to read.
“She is fond of saying, ‘anything other than an A is not okay,’ ” Robinson-Taylor said.
Carrie Akins, principal at Milton Somers Middle School in La Plata, said eighth-grade student Emily Maljak is always helping others.
“She helps everyone around here,” she said. “She is always asking, ‘how can I help?’ ‘Can I do more?’ ”
Akins said when other students see Emily “doing what she was doing they became involved as well.
“She stands out,” Akins stated.
Maurice J. McDonough High School Principal Ryan Snow introduced the board to senior Jordan Parker, who he said maintains a 3.7 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.
“Emily is a member of the Best Buddies program helping special education students,” Snow said. “She has said, ‘I am someone they can look up to, not as a teacher but as a student in the school.’ ”
“You can see why this is so important to us,” Board Chairman Roberta S. Wise said. “All of you are fantastic students.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
