WALDORF, Md. – Kennady Hawkins, a senior at Thomas Stone High School, recently was recognized by the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) receiving the 24 Emerging Scholar Award in partnership with The Daily Record, a news media company in Maryland.
MBRT recognizes 24 high school students out of nearly 300 applicants across the state to represent their school district for their achievements and academic success. MBRT is a nonprofit that works together to achieve meaningful, measurable and systemic improvement in schools and student achievement, according to the MBRT website.
In a Feb. 5 ceremony in Annapolis, Hawkins received the award, along with students from other counties in Maryland. Hawkins applied for the opportunity and was shocked once she heard back that she was selected for the recognition. “Me?!,” she said. “I did not know how far I could go achievement wise.” Her accomplishment helped her gain confidence in her ability to achieve success. “Often times I apply for these types of things and do not get them or hear back, but this time I had confidence in my application,” she said, excitedly.
At Stone, Hawkins is vice president of the W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society, involved in Student Government Association (SGA) and is a student in the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program.
She also works at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School through the CCPS Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) gaining hands-on experience in the classroom. Being a student in the TAM program has stretched her comfort zone by participating in a read aloud event at J.P. Ryon Elementary School. “Sometimes I get nervous when I read to the kids, but it is something that I enjoy,” Hawkins said. She wants to be an elementary school teacher after attending a four-year college. “My mom is a teacher and seeing her experience in the classroom has inspired me,” she said.
Hawkins also attributes her academic success to Ava Morton, the college and career advisor and W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society co-sponsor at Stone, and Tynisha Matthews, TAM teacher at the school, for providing opportunities for growth and toward reaching her fullest potential.
“Kennady takes the initiative in her work,” Morton said. “She has served as an escort for our senior interviews where she interacted with community leaders, and she supported our annual open house events interacting with new students and their families. She is a positive influence on underclassmen and a true leader.”
Outside of her normal school day, she enjoys finding new ways to stay engaged, build meaningful connections and volunteer in various areas. She recently discovered that she has a knack for arts and crafts after trying her hand in creating a customized iPhone case for her phone.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 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).