La Plata, MD – Tuesday, June 9 was a day of accolades and celebration for the Charles County Public Schools family.

The new student representative on the Charles County Board of Education was sworn in at the board’s monthly meeting.

Alton Pearson Benson, brother of Georgia Benson, former school board member for the past year, ascends to her position.

Their mother is Westlake High School Principal Chrystal Benson.

“They’re great kids,” she said.

Teacher of the Year Sarah Desrosiers, Life Skills Education teacher at Theodore G. Davis Middle School, read a touching poem a student had given to her six years ago.

“I would never need to be nominated for anything after receiving a gift like this,” Desrosiers told the board. “Every child has the right to be taught by someone who sees they can do it. We need to have faith and believe in every child’s ability to succeed. If we give them the tools, they can do great things.”

Desrosiers, who has been in the Charles County school system for eight years, was presented the keys to a 2016 KIA by Jay Wedick of the Bayside Auto Group in Waldorf.

“Teachers like Sarah work very hard,” Wedick stated.

Gene A. Hopkins, who has spent 12 years at Milton Somers Middle School in La Plata, was recognized as the winner of the Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer award.

“I make it my mission to work as hard as I can every single day,” Hopkins said.

Louis D’Ambrosio, vice principal at William A. Diggs Elementary School, was honored as Outstanding Vice Principal. D’Ambrosio will become principal at Arthur Middleton Elementary School in the fall.

D’Ambrosio stated that he was “instantly humbled” by the recognition.

Victor Woodland, building service manager at Theodore G. Davis Middle School in Waldorf, was also honored.

“It is an honor to work here,” Woodland said. “I really love what I do.”

Madonna Guame, who works at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf, said she “was very proud to be nominated.”

Eric McElhenny, who has worked for Charles County Public School as an electronics technician at the annex in La Plata, stated, “It is a great honor to receive this award. I am humbled by this.”

Another honoree was Bijon Trice, secretary to the principal at John Hanson Middle School. Kathy-Lynn Kiessling, Hanson principal, told the assembly at the Board of Education in La Plata, “His momma raised him right. I want to thank his momma for raising him right.”

Trice said he was “still in shock.”

Gloria Renee Ward has worked with Charles County Public Schools for 34 years. She was also honored.

“I absolutely love it here,” Ward stated. “I love the work and I love the people.”

Nghia Dang came to CCPS as an intern and within 10 months was hired as a computer analyst.

“There are technical challenges every day,” Dang said. “I’m here to help anyone having problems.”

Each recipient received a $1,000 check in addition to a plaque.

Also honored and recognized were members of La Plata and Westlake High School’s spring state champions for track and field.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com