Congratulations to the outstanding students and staff members recognized at the final Awards & Recognitions Night of the 2017-2018 school year. This awards night was held at the James M. Bennett Auditorium on Thursday, June 7.
“We’re excited to be here tonight because we are all so proud to celebrate what you have achieved,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna C. Hanlin told the several hundred students, family members, staff members and other supporters who attended. “Great things are happening every day in Wicomico Schools. Over the next year as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of public education in Wicomico County, please know that you are an important part of that tradition of educational excellence.”
Photos of this Awards & Recognitions Night are posted on the Wicomico County Public Schools Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/wcboe/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1895903763773271
Photos are also posted to the website in the album “Jun 2018 Board Awards & Recognitions Night” at: https://www.wcboe.org/news/photo_events
Awards & Recognitions Night June 7, 2018
2018 Retirees (40-50 years)
Each staff member retiring this school year from service with Wicomico County Public Schools has been a valuable member of the educational team. The Board of Education has a letter of appreciation and a small gift for each retiree in thanks for dedicated service. Retirees with 40 to 50 years:
Donna W. Bennett, Grade 3 teacher, Northwestern Elementary, 50 years
Lillie A. Giddens, Principal, Glen Avenue Elementary, 45 years
Susan M. Gebhart, professional development coach, Pemberton Elementary, 42.7 years with Wicomico Schools, 45.7 years total
Gary W. Doss, Coordinator of School Improvement Assessments and Accountability, Central Office School Improvement, 40 years
2018 Superintendent’s Art Collection
Each spring the creative work of our students is displayed at the annual Student Art Show at the Downtown Salisbury branch of the Wicomico Public Libraries. One of Dr. Hanlin’s most challenging yet most satisfying tasks as superintendent is choosing artwork each year for the Superintendent’s Art Collection. Later this year, student artists and their families will be invited to a special reception to see their work displayed in our Central Office on Northgate Drive.
Certificate of recognition for these students whose artwork was selected for the 2018 Superintendent’s Art Collection:
Crystayana Brown and De’Wayne Taylor Jr., Prekindergarten, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, instructor Ms. Zimmerman
Camden Church, Kindergarten, Beaver Run Elementary, instructor Ms. Johnson
Emma East, Grade 1, Westside Primary, instructor Mrs. Bishop
Kayce Smith, Grade 2, Fruitland Primary, instructor Ms. Smith
Dylan Neithardt, Grade 2, Northwestern Elementary, instructor Ms. Richard
Jacob Morris, Grade 2, Willards Elementary, instructor Ms. Phillips
Lucia Kunie, Grade 4, Delmar Elementary, instructor Ms. Henderson
Gabriel Bishop, Grade 4, North Salisbury Elementary, instructor Mr. Auger
Jabriya Orelien, Grade 4, Glen Avenue Elementary, instructor Mrs. Phillips
Jacob Ruark, Grade 4, Pinehurst Elementary, instructor Ms. Smith
Mercedes Jenkins, Grade 5, East Salisbury Elementary, instructor Mr. Cotton
Ari Lovo, Grade 5, Prince Street Elementary, instructor Ms. Rommel
Sharon Howard, Grade 5, Pemberton Elementary, instructor Ms. Zimmerman
Christian Dunn, Grade 5, Westside Intermediate, instructor Ms. Bishop
Ashley Garcia-Ramirez, Grade 5, Fruitland Intermediate, instructor Ms. Richard
Sam Farmer, Grade 7, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, instructor Ms. Gilland
Jamie Zheng, Grade 7, Bennett Middle, instructor Mr. Hammack
Kayla Lim, Grade 8, Salisbury Middle, instructor Ms. Matteson
Elizabeth Belote, Grade 8, Wicomico Middle, instructor Ms. Gonzalez
Ava Schultz, Grade 9, Parkside High, instructor Mr. Baglieri
Nyvia Barnes, Grade 10, Wicomico High, instructor Mrs. Pavlekovich
Imani Sherry, Grade 11, James M. Bennett High, instructor Mr. Foltz
Elizabeth Crowl, 2018 graduate, Mardela High, instructors Ms. Dean and Ms. Rose
Oluschi Harmon, Grade 11, James M. Bennett High and Wicomico County Visual and Performing Arts Program, instructors Mr. Foltz, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Choi
Madison Brewington, 2018 graduate of Parkside High, for the Wicomico County Visual and Performing Arts Program, instructors Mr. Foltz, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Choi
“If I Were Mayor, I Would …” Essay Contest
The Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Mayors’ Association invites 4th grade students to participate in an annual statewide essay contest. The “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” contest gives students a chance to creatively use grade-specific language arts skills and civics/social studies knowledge while addressing topics such as environmental initiatives, citizen recognition, safety and education. The 2018 contest had 3,100 entries, including many from the district that includes Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties.
Certificates of recognition for these District 1 semifinalists in the 2018 “If I Were Mayor, I Would …” Essay Contest:
Skylar Acito, North Salisbury Elementary, teacher Ms. Black
Jayla Gimble, Northwestern Elementary, teacher Ms. Shupe
Sophonie Marcellus of Pinehurst Elementary was also a winner, but has moved away. Her teacher was Ms. Brennan.
Mayor Day for a Day
Two of our students got the chance not just to wonder about what it would be like to be mayor, but to actually serve as mayor. Salisbury Mayor and James M. Bennett High graduate Jacob Day serves his community every day, and from time to time he welcomes a student to spend a workday alongside him as Mayor for the Day for the City of Salisbury.
Certificates of recognition for these students who served as Mayor Day for a Day:
Lilea Taylor, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, mayor on November 6th
Ezai Atus, 5th Grade, Pinehurst Elementary, mayor on February 15th
Wicomico County STEM Challenge
The 2018 Wicomico County STEM Challenge was held on May 22nd at James M. Bennett High School. Champion teams from all intermediate and middle schools competed with the devices they designed and built to solve a grade-specific challenge. The county champions from each grade level received medals and a plaque to take back for display in their school.
Third-Grade was Safe Racer. Teams had to design a race car that could carry an egg down an incline plane and into a solid barrier. Only the cars whose “Egg Drivers” survived the crash test moved on to phase two of the challenge, running the cars for the best total distance.
3rd Grade Champions: Fruitland Intermediate, Kendal Emge, Daniel Lima-Melo, Ciyana Whittington
Fourth Grade was a free fall egg-drop challenge. Students designed, constructed, and tested a container that could protect an egg when dropped at ever-increasing heights. Students had to apply mathematics in order to create a budget and purchase materials for their device.
4th Grade Champions: Fruitland Intermediate, Jillian Anderson, Averi Beauchamp, Ava Twilley, Alana Power, Bailey Kitchens
Fifth Graders designed their own parachute-assisted delivery vehicle for a fragile payload – an uncooked egg. These delivery devices were dropped from increasing heights, and students received a score for both the height and the amount of “money” spent on their device.
5th Grade Champions: Northwestern Elementary, Ethan Holland, Breyele Davis, Kvon Sanders
Sixth Grade, earthquake-resistant structures. As part of the 6th Grade Unit on Earth Systems, students investigated the generation and impact of earthquakes. Teams designed and constructed earthquake-resistant structures, which were tested with weight and motion on shake tables.
6th Grade Champions: Mardela Middle, Micah Outten, Eli Black, Evan Birch
Seventh Grade designed adapted limbs to retrieve items over a distance, in connection with their life science unit on anatomy, genetic mutations, variations, and adaptations.
7th Grade Champions: Bennett Middle, Kara Lewis, Rachael Funchess
Eighth Grade designed and built mousetrap-powered cars, tying into a physics unit on mechanics and motion. The cars were tested for both speed and distance traveled.
8th Grade Champions: Mardela Middle, Casey Gerhart, Olivia Mitchell
Scripps National Spelling Bee
All Wicomico Schools with grades 4 through 8 participate each year in spelling bees to get ready for the Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Spelling Bee sponsored by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. This year a student who was her school spelling bee champion and runner-up at the Regional Bee received an RSVBee invitation to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Certificate of achievement for Ava Bautista of Wicomico Middle, who was an outstanding representative of her school and school system at the national bee, held near Washington in late May. While she didn’t make the Finals, she spelled both of her words right in the live rounds and finished the Bee tied for 42nd Place among several hundred spellers.
Maryland Green School Award Program
The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education recognizes schools that have made a commitment to environmental protection and restoration through actions involving the physical plant, curriculum, professional development, and student action projects. Nationally recognized, the Maryland Green Schools Award Program allows schools and their communities to collaborate and evaluate their efforts in environmental sustainability. Participating schools empower youth to make changes to reduce environmental impact, encourage sustainability, and foster environmental literacy. The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, an outreach of Salisbury University and one of several certified Maryland Green Centers, was instrumental in providing technical assistance and professional development for our new Green Schools.
Recognizing our two new Maryland Green Schools and these teachers for leadership in their schools attaining Maryland Green School Award certification:
Fruitland Intermediate School: Denise Gregorius and Kate Wight
Westside Intermediate School: Cindy Phillips
Wicomico now has six Maryland Green Schools: Fruitland Intermediate, Westside Intermediate, Fruitland Primary, Parkside High, Willards Elementary and James M. Bennett High.
2018 Retirees (30-39.6 years)
Eric W. Haldeman, Physical Education teacher, Salisbury Middle, 39.6 years
Cheryl H. Doughty, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, James M. Bennett High, 38 years
Gary L. Elzey, Operations Manager, Facility Services, 35 years
Susan W. Bradford, Area Manager, Food Service, 35 years
Melba A. Kenney, Grade 4 teacher, Pemberton Elementary, 34.5 years
Joyce H. Phillips, administrative office associate, Central Office Business Support Services, 34 years
Margaret C. “Peggy” Troiano, Dean of Students, Pinehurst Elementary, 34 years
Patricia A. Blevins, Supervisor of Elementary Reading, Central Office Instruction, 31.7 years
Terri L. Howard, instructional assistant II – elementary, 31.1 years
Steven T. Byrd, custodian, Wicomico High, 31 years
Janice V. Davis, music teacher, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, 31 years
Cindra L. Clutter, payroll specialist, Central Office Payroll, 30.1 years
Sharon W. Cherricks, choral teacher, Bennett Middle, 30 years
Mary A. Funk, Special Education teacher, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, 30 years with Wicomico Schools, 36 years total
Mary E. Levis, school psychologist, Central Office Instruction, 30 years
Yvonne C. Schaefer, instructional assistant II, Delmar Elementary, 30 years
President’s Volunteer Service Award
Two Wicomico County students has been honored this year for exemplary volunteer service by the Corporation for National & Community Service. The President’s Volunteer Service Award program recognizes middle and high school students who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities and their country. Students receive a letter and a certificate signed by the President. Certificates of achievement for being honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for these Bennett Middle students:
William Creese
Robert Ogburn
Destination Imagination Global Finals
Destination Imagination – DI – is an extracurricular activity that student teams engage in to build their skills in creative problem solving, teamwork and critical thinking. DI transcends race, gender and ethnic boundaries and is unparalleled in its engagement of parents. In April, eight teams from Wicomico Schools qualified for Global Finals through their excellent efforts at the Maryland State DI Tournament at UMBC. Global Finals featured 1,400+ teams and more than 8,000 students.
Certificates of achievement for members of these Destination Imagination Global Finals teams:
Parkside High School Carpe DIem, Fine Arts Challenge (Change in Tune), Secondary Level: 3rd place at States, 32nd Place at Global Finals.
Sarah Forrestal
Sara Sadjadi
Abi Creager
Aidan Patterson
Ibrahim “Abe” Ahmed
Team Managers: Shannon Forrestal and Susan Creager
School Facilitator: Ronna Bievenour
Wicomico High School Uncommon DInominators, Service Learning Challenge (Inside Impact), Secondary Level: 1st place at States and third trip to Globals, 31st Place at Global Finals.
Colleen Sullivan
Paige Folke
Taylor Jacobs
Team Managers: Heather Joslin and Christel Folke
School Facilitator: Rebecca Mathews
Fruitland Intermediate School Boomerangs, Scientific Challenge (Unlikely Attraction), Elementary Level: 1st place at States, 26th Place at Global Finals.
Alex Bisker
Ben Harris
Abigail Harris
Shelby Tayman
Chase Horsman
Jonah Pryor
Hayley James
Team Managers: Dave Harris and Scott Bisker
School Facilitators: Amy Burns and Kate Wight
North Salisbury School Mustache Mustangs, Fine Arts Challenge (Change in Tune), Elementary Level: 3rd place at States and second trip to Globals, 20th Place at Global Finals.
Bella Hooper
Bella Thompsen
Kate Miller-Vail
Caitlin Danz
Diamond Torney
Team Managers: Ashlee Thompsen and Jennifer Hooper
School Facilitators: Mary Kinnamon and Marlene Naumann
North Salisbury School Maze Blazers, Technical Challenge (Maze Craze), Elementary Level: 1st Place at States, 16th place at Global Finals.
Nathan Naumann
Greer Nichols
Gregory Nichols
Gavin Culver
Melvin Harmon
Melissa Bell
Team Managers: Colleen Nichols and Marlene Nauman
School Facilitators: Mary Kinnamon and Marlene Naumann
Wicomico High School DI of the Tiger, Improvisational Challenge (Treasure!), Secondary Level: 3rd place at States and second trip to Globals, 14th Place at Global Finals.
Becky Aydelotte
Jessica Greene
Jeffrey Dumpson
Kainat Imtiaz
Team Manager and School Facilitator: Rebecca Mathews
Bennett Middle School Legendary Llamas, Fine Arts Challenge (Change of Tune), Middle Level: 3rd Place at States and third trip to Globals, 9th Place at Global Finals.
Pag-asa Sison
Sheyene Brown
Psalmy Lacson
Johnnie Watkins
James Watkins
Team Manager: Amy Jo Watkins
School Facilitator: Barbara Fodor
North Salisbury School Mini Marvelous Marshmallows, Service Learning Challenge (Inside Impact), Elementary Level: 1st place at States, 5th Place at Global Finals.
Joshua Strickland
Rachel Haberlin
Julia Gore
Adithya Bhaskaran
Alex Acle
Tobias McKinney
Team Managers: Sarah and Charles Strickland
School Facilitators: Mary Kinnamon and Marlene Naumann
School Mentor Appreciation/Mentor of the Month
The Superintendent and Board of Education joined Fruitland Primary School and the Wicomico Mentoring Project to celebrate outstanding mentor Maggi Gallaher. This mentor gives her very best to her student on a one-on-one basis, and she also worked to obtain $2,600 in grant funding through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and Walmart so that all 262 students at Fruitland Primary who are eligible for Free and Reduced Meals could receive a $10 gift certificate to the school’s last Scholastic Book Fair of the year, to encourage summer reading. With these funds, students were able to gain access to more than 870 books. Fruitland Primary is deeply appreciative of her commitment to its students. The Wicomico Mentoring Project honored Ms. Gallaher as the Mentor of the Month for May.
United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Addiction Awareness Arts Competition
This spring the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore again held an Addiction Awareness Arts Competition to give students the chance to illustrate the dangers of addiction. The student artwork was stunning and powerful. Certificates of achievement for these 1st Place winners, all from Wicomico County Public Schools:
Wicomico County Middle School Fine Art, $500 award: Johnnie Watkins, Bennett Middle
Wicomico County High School Film, $1,000 award: Meredith Brewington, Parkside High and Visual and Performing Arts Program
Wicomico County High School Fine Art, $1,000 award: Taylor Smith, Wicomico High and Visual and Performing Arts Program
United Way Campaign Recognition
Every year Wicomico County Public Schools generously supports the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore’s annual campaign, to help others in our community. The 2017-2018 campaign was our most successful to date. It reached a grand total of $81,298.51 thanks to some very spirited and creative fund-raising efforts. That topped the previous year’s total from Wicomico Schools by more than $20,000. Thank you to the thousands of employees, students and families who supported the United Way, as well as the school and department coordinators and Payroll staff who make this massive fundraising campaign work.
Certificates of recognition for the school with the highest contribution total at each level. Their efforts will be celebrated on billboards so the entire community can appreciate what they’ve done. Please congratulate these schools and their campaign coordinators:
Pinehurst Elementary – Peggy Troiano and Trina Lowe
Salisbury Middle – Tikitia Glover and Tiya Bethea
Mardela Middle and High – Kara Brown and Linda Nestor
For the first time this year many schools held a Dance United event to engage students in supporting the United Way campaign. Certificates of recognition for the top 3 Dance United schools:
Westside Primary – $1,526.65
Pittsville Elementary and Middle – $1,482.25
Mardela Middle and High – $1,277.75
Certificate of recognition for the school that came up with its own wildly successful and very messy fundraiser for the United Way. Fruitland Primary students paid just $3 for a cup of slime to dump on the principal, assistant principal and Physical Education teacher. Do you think many took advantage of this opportunity? Yes! Sliming for the United Way raised $1,541, the single largest school fundraising event for the United Way this year!
Prince Street Buddy Program
Certificates of recognition are presented to the James M. Bennett High School students who were active in the Prince Street Buddy Program. This is a group of JMB students who went to Prince Street Elementary during their lunch time to eat with Prince Street students. The goal is for Prince Street students to experience meal time conversations and have a high school mentor in an unstructured setting. Many of the JMB “buddies” stay for extra time and even go into the classrooms to assist teachers. On behalf of Prince Street Elementary School, we have certificates of recognition for service to others for the Prince Street Buddies who participated in this program all year and volunteered 10 or more hours:
Elizabeth Simpson – 90 hours
Sam Wiersberg -30 hours
Londyn Wiggins – 30 hours
Toni Smith -30 hours
Victoria Cropper – 25 hours
Sayuri Velazco – 15 hours
Julianna Sterling – 10 hours
Brandon Wiggins -10 hours
2018 Retirees (25.4-29.7 years)
Deborah S. Dashiell, professional development coach, North Salisbury Elementary, 29.7 years
Elizabeth A. Vastine, instructional assistant III, Wicomico Middle, 28.2 years
Ellen M. Doxtater, science teacher, Bennett Middle, 27.1 years with Wicomico Schools, 29 years total
Mae L. Higgins, music teacher, Westside Intermediate, 25 years with Wicomico Schools, 27.8 years total
James C. Tedrow, speech language therapist, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, 27 years with Wicomico Schools, 31 years total
Gerry Travis, food service manager III, Parkside High, 27.7 years
Amanda M. Markos, Thinking and Doing (TAD) teacher, North Salisbury Elementary, 27 years with Wicomico Schools, 42.9 years total
Rachel W. Simpson, Grade 4 teacher, Fruitland Intermediate, 27 years with Wicomico Schools, 30 years total
Edward A. Hoeck, Physical Education teacher, Beaver Run Elementary, 26 years
Frank E. Manuel, assistant building service manager II, Facility Services, 26.8 years
Carol M. Evans, administrative office associate, Parkside High, 25.4 years
NAMM Foundation Best Communities for Music Education
In the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation 2018 Best Communities for Music Education survey, Wicomico County Public Schools was once again honored as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Wicomico received this recognition for the seventh straight year and for the ninth time in the past 12 years. Ours is one of four school districts recognized in Maryland, and one of only two on Delmarva.
This annual survey acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment and support for music education as part of the core curriculum. This recognition represents the excellence of our music educators and music education curriculum, both of which support the excellence of our students. We applaud the outstanding leadership and advocacy for arts education of Dr. Jeffery Baer, Supervisor of Fine Arts for Wicomico County Public Schools, as well as now retired Supervisor Gary A. Beauchamp.
Superior at 2018 Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festivals
Each spring the Maryland Music Educators Association holds the State Solo and Ensemble Festivals for students and ensembles who qualify by receiving a Superior rating at the District Solo and Ensemble level. The following students and band performed at State Solo and Ensemble and received a Superior rating – the highest rating available to a performer – at this highest level of competition. We are extremely proud to celebrate them with Certificates of Achievement.
For strings, instructors Ashley Palmer, Courtney Bennett and Sarah Burton:
Bennett Middle:
Cristina Avanessian, violin, Grade 8
Sunny Baek, viola, Grade 8
Ellie Long, violin, Grade 7
Briana Truitt, violin, Grade 6
Wicomico Middle:
Brandon Williams, cello, Grade 8
James M. Bennett High:
Simon Jeong, violin, Grade 9
Gabe Dunn, violin, Grade 11
Parkside High:
Gracie Elswick, violin, Grade 9
Teiji Schoyen, cello, Grade 9
Leyna Paul, violin, Grade 11
Miyuki Schoyen, violin, Grade 12
Mardela Middle and High:
Alexzander Baer, cello, Grade 9
For chorus, instructors Stephen Harvey and Megan Centineo:
From the Wicomico County Visual and Performing Arts Program and James M. Bennett High:
Alison Sahler, soprano, 2018 graduate of James M. Bennett High
For Maryland State Band Festival:
The Parkside High School Symphonic Band, Band Director Kevin Zackiewicz. The Parkside Symphonic Band was the first Wicomico County band to perform at the Maryland State Band Festival in many years. Of the 36 bands that qualified for the State Band Festival, only 11 earned a Superior rating. Parkside received unanimous Superior ratings from the three judges in the concert hall, proving that they are among the highest quality band programs in the state.
For State Solo and Ensemble for Band:
These band students scored Superior at State Solo and Ensemble on one or more pieces. Instructors are Joshua Mengel, Ken Dasher, Laura LeBlanc, Lillian Hoffman, Cory Boltz, Douglas Miles, Kevin Zaczkiewicz.
Bennett Middle:
Kiley DiCintio, clarinet
Emily White, trumpet
Sunny Baek, flute
Emily Lynch, clarinet
Pittsville Middle:
Chloe Dasher, flute
Hannah Richardson, flute
Kayla Knoll, flute
Alexis Bowe, clarinet
Sarah Knapp, trumpet
Lilly Dasher, French horn
Leanna Morris, French horn
Le’Quiesha Hodges, trombone
Jonathan Lombardo, percussion
Salisbury Middle:
Hannah Kim, flute
Kayla Lim, flute
Wicomico Middle:
Ava Bautista, flute
Sophia Petito, flute
Mardela Middle and High:
Jessica Messick, flute
Taylour Turk, flute
Ashlynn Brown, clarinet
La’Najah Johnson, flute
Austin Mecca, alto saxophone
Luke Murphy, tombone
Gabrielle Nelson, clarinet
Ryan Soldatelli, snare drum
Imani Wright, clarinet
Adrienne Bayly, clarinet
Olivia Beauchamp, flute
Camille Brackett, flute
Kanye Brown, snare drum
Emily Dennis, flute
Casey Gerhart, flute
Jonathan Hagy, snare drum
Taylor Hagy, flute
Davin Jensen, snare drum
Ja’Kaiyah Johnson, clarinet
Conner Jones, trumpet
Se’Airah Lewis, flute
Olivia Mitchell, trumpet
Madelyn Raygor, alto saxophone
Zachary Solembrino, snare drum
Chase Spencer, snare drum
Julianna Torre, clarinet
Madeline Umsted, trumpet
Samuel Umsted, baritone
Alyssa Boltz, flute and French horn
Jacob Harris, alto saxophone
Emily Lawson, flute
Ally McFarlane, baritone
Emma Robbins, clarinet
Logan Rudd, alto saxophone
Matthew Taylor, tuba
Abreya Gunther, flute
Matthew Guy, tenor saxophone
Madison Horner, marimba
Jacob Long, baritone
Austin Mason, tenor saxophone
Brittany Palmer, trumpet
Breanna Soldatelli, bells and snare drum
Tianna Staten, clarinet
Olivia Waters, vibraphone
Mitchell Adams, trombone
Malik Allen, snare drum
Armani Banks, snare drum and marimba
Alexis Cook, flute
Gary Hoehler, snare drum
Adam Insley, trumpet
Rachel Lewis, flute
Rease Maloney, flute
Morgan McGee, flute
Hunter Wirt, marimba and snare drum
Maggie Adams, trumpet
Emma Bush, clarinet
Joseph Cropper, alto saxophone
Keith Flagg, trombone
Lauren Fox, clarinet
Darien O’Neal, snare drum and xylophone
James M. Bennett High:
Michael Avanessian, snare and mallets
Simon Lewis, French horn
Parkside High:
Gi Kwon, flute
Sara Sadjadi, flute
Maggie Harkins, French horn
Gracie Perry, clarinet
Allyson Morris, French horn
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
Certificate of achievement for Mardela High School Symphonic Band and Warrior Marching Band & Bandfront, Band Director Cory Boltz, for the band’s success at the 2018 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival held May 4-5 in Winchester, Va.
The Symphonic Band presented an artful concert at the Shenandoah University Music Conservatory and finished 1st Open Class Band, 1st in the Concert Band Competition.
In the Friday Firefighters’ Parade, the Warrior Marching Band & Bandfront received accolades as Top Small Band, and Second Place among all competing Middle School, Large & Small High School & Military Bands.
At Saturday’s Grand Feature Parade, Mardela received Top Small Band, Top Bandfront (entire parade), and 1st Place among all competing Middle School, Large & Small High School & Military Bands.
Finally, Mardela received the singular honor of being named Sweepstakes Winner, the overall winner of Apple Blossom Festival for receiving the highest averaged scores in three events. This is the 5th time in six years that Mardela has received this honor!
The Mardela Warriors Marching Band & Bandfront picture will be displayed and distributed in the 2019 Apple Blossom Festival Brochure.
National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist
The National Merit Scholarship Award Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Students are recognized on the basis of their outstanding ability and potential for academic success in college, as measured by the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Program recognizing 15,000 outstanding students nationwide as National Merit Scholarship Finalists. That’s less than 1% of the 1.6 million students who participate in the program each year, so it’s a high honor.
Certificate of achievement for 2018 James M. Bennett High School graduate Christina Sun for being named a Finalist in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. We also extend congratulations to another Finalist, Jasper Flint, who was part of the JMB Class of 2018 but spent what would have been his senior year attending Amherst College.
Baxter Enterprises/McDonald’s McEducator Awards
Thanks to a partnership that started in 1999 between West Salisbury Elementary and Baxter Enterprises/McDonald’s, thousands of teachers and tens of thousands of students have benefited from support that exceeds well over a half-million dollars. Baxter Enterprises is a wonderful partner supporting education across Delmarva, including in Wicomico County Public Schools. There are coupons and bicycles to reward good scholarship and citizenship at the elementary level, spirit nights at some of the 21 Baxter McDonald’s restaurants on Delmarva, $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors, and McEducator Awards for top teachers from each elementary school. We greatly appreciate Baxter Enterprises for its outstanding commitment to education.
Congratulations to the 2018 recipients of the McEducator Award, given to a teacher from each elementary school for outstanding attendance, commendable observations and evaluations, positive rapport with others, tenured status, and an effective instructional program. Representatives of Baxter Enterprises presented each McEducator with a $300 Visa gift card, a certificate, and a McDonald’s tote bag.
Lori Peters, Beaver Run Elementary
Susan Biddle, Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Sara Adams, Delmar Elementary
Lorene Evans, East Salisbury Elementary
Jessica Hanes, Fruitland Primary
Rachel Simpson, Fruitland Intermediate
Rebecca Clark, Glen Avenue Elementary
Lisa Della Ratta, North Salisbury Elementary
Joyce Taylor, Northwestern Elementary
Lindsey Hatfield, Pemberton Elementary
Jennifer Fitzgerald, Pinehurst Elementary
Matthew Curtis, Pittsville Elementary
Jessica Grimes, Prince Street Elementary
Chelsey Mangum, Wicomico Early Learning Center
Barbara Horsey, Westside Primary
Tara Martens, West Salisbury Elementary
Jaime McGraw, Westside Intermediate
Nicole Rittling, Willards Elementary
Maryland History Day Competition
For the third year, several Wicomico schools participated in the regional History Day held at Salisbury University in February. A Parkside High School team advanced to the state competition after finishing 2nd in the regional contest at Salisbury University. In April, the team competed at the state level and earned a Special Award in Maryland History that was sponsored by the Maryland Historical Society. Certificates of recognition to the members of this Parkside High team for the team’s documentary on Bridging the Divide: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge:
Felipe Calderon
Samantha Glenn
James Hsia
Gabrielle Hunt
Anisah Khattak
Teacher: Nicholas Dudas
The Maryland History Day competition annually recognizes a teacher from each participating school system. Wicomico County’s 2018 Maryland History Day District Teacher of the Year and advisor to two History Day teams at Wicomico High School, was:
Harry Suber, Wicomico High
2018 Retirees (20-24.2 years)
Dr. Cathy J. Townsend, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, 24.2 years with Wicomico Schools, 29 years total
Terry L. Swift, food service manager I, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, 24 years
Karen E. Culver, Food Service Manager, Mardela Middle and High, 24 years
Margaret White, accounting associate III, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, 23 years
Lily O. Green, Grade 5 teacher, East Salisbury Elementary, 23 years
Patricia H. Micciche, Social Studies teacher, Wicomico High, 22 years
Andrew J. Turner, III, Coordinator I, Student Services, 22 years
Melodye M. Maddux, accounting assistant, Birth to Five Program, 21 years
Deborah K. Gaines, food service worker, Delmar Elementary, 20.3 years
Letters about Literature
Every year, The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress presents Letters About Literature, a national reading and writing promotion program. Readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre – fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, contemporary or classic – explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s way of thinking about the world or themselves. In Maryland, thousands of students enter the contest conducted by Maryland Humanities, and this year only 110 were selected as finalists.
Certificate of achievement for the Wicomico student who was a finalist and the state runner-up for high school students, Rawan Osman of James M. Bennett High. She wrote her letter to Sojourner Truth about her poem, “Ain’t I a Woman.”
Essay Contests: Optimist Club, DAR Good Citizen
Two recent graduates achieved outstanding results in essay contests during their senior years. Certificates of achievement for both of these James M. Bennett High students:
Samantha Wiersberg. Samantha was the essay contest winner for the Salisbury Optimist Club, and her essay placed 2nd for all the Optimist Clubs in the Maryland/South Delaware District.
Rawan Osman. Rawan’s Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen essay entry won for the Samuel Chase Chapter of DAR, and won again at the state level. At the Eastern Division level her essay was among the 800 essays judged from five states, the District of Columbia, and chapters in 12 other countries. Rawan’s essay was again the winner, and it is now awaiting judging at the national level along with seven other Division-winning essays.
Light of Literacy Awards
The Friends of Wicomico Public Libraries’ Light of Literacy Awards recognize individuals and groups as shining examples of the best and brightest of our community in the area of literacy. Certificates of recognition for a student and a teacher who were recipients of 2018 Friends of Wicomico Public Libraries Light of Literacy Awards.
Youth Luminary: Rehman Liaqat, James M. Bennett High School. Rehman is a Pakistani bilingual student, and when he learned that a group of Pakistani women in his neighborhood were struggling due to limited English, he took action. He met with the women weekly to improve their English comprehension so they could take care of tasks like applying for employment, earning a driver’s license, and reading important letters. We are proud of this very active JMB student for his personal commitment to making a difference in our world.
Educator Luminary: Joan Cooper, James M. Bennett High School. Each year, this English teacher works with Salt Water Media to publish a high-quality student anthology of creative writing and artwork for her school. She does this on her own time, and she works to secure funds to cover the whole cost. She works with students in the STEP UP after-school program to write children’s books. She goes above and beyond to give students opportunities in creative writing.
Unified Bocce State Tournament: Gold
Wicomico County Public Schools is proud to partner with Special Olympics Maryland to offer Unified Sports teams in the four high schools. The Interscholastic Unified Sports program empowers athletes to demonstrate the true meaning of sportsmanship, fair play and commitment to a team as students with and without disabilities partner to compete against teams from around the area and the state. During the recent state Unified Bocce competition held May 23rd at Washington College, this Parkside High team advanced through the division brackets to gain the most points in its division and win the gold medal:
Kali Krauss
Allan “AB” Hall
Madison McLaren
Dylan Laing
Maggie O’Grady
Jeremiah Justice
Coaches: Bruce Harrell and Emily Miller
2018 Retirees (15-19.1 years years)
Sherri M. Pritchett, Special Education teacher, Pinehurst Elementary, 19.1 years
Michael P. Willey Sr., building service manager II, Mardela Middle and High, 16.3 years
Dr. Daryl T. Jones, math teacher, Wicomico High, 16 years with Wicomico Schools, 26 years total
Larry J. Collins, Dean of Students, Prince Street Elementary, 15.5 years Wicomico Schools, 22.2 years total
Linda M. Davis, Special Education teacher, Wicomico High, 15 years Wicomico Schools, 16 years total
47 ABC Teacher Who Makes a Difference
Local TV station 47 ABC supports teachers by surprising lucky educators throughout the year with 47 ABC Teacher Who Makes a Difference recognition. Certificates of recognition for the Wicomico teachers who were honored as a 47 ABC Teacher Who Makes a Difference during the 2017-2018 school year:
Antoinette Daniel, choral director, Parkside High School, October
Michelle Schlegel, Kindergarten teacher at Charles H. Chipman Elementary School, March
2018 Retirees (10-14.1 years years)
Paul D. Vinroot, music teacher, Wicomico High, 14.1 years with Wicomico Schools, 26.1 years total
Audrey Cottrell, custodian, East Salisbury Elementary, 14 years
Gladys O. “Faye” Wilson, parent involvement specialist, Central Office, 13.4 years
Vivian D. Ballard, food service worker, James M. Bennett High, 13 years
Barbara A. Wilson, food service worker, James M. Bennett High, 13 years
Terese S. Seward, Kindergarten teacher, Pemberton Elementary, 13 years
Diane Washington-White, Guidance Counselor, Fruitland Primary, 13 years
Alice W. Rogers, Guidance Counselor, James M. Bennett High, 12.5 years
Lisa D. Johnson, instructional assistant II – Special Education, Delmar Elementary, 12.4 years
Jerry L. Bennett, school counselor, James M. Bennett High, 12.6 years
Barbara E. Lavender, food service worker, Wicomico Middle, 12 years
Vicki R. Richardson, Special Education teacher, Westside Primary, 11 years Wicomico Schools, 23 years total
Thomas F. Humlhanz, maintenance foreman, Facility Services, 11.8 years
Barbara L. Lord, Special Education teacher, Fruitland Primary, 10 years Wicomico Schools, 33 years total
Dolores G. Nolan, Special Education teacher, Mardela Middle and High, 10 years
John E. Watson Jr., user support specialist, Central Office Northgate, 10 years
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education STEM Lesson Plan Contest
Certificate of recognition for Kevin Hill, Elementary Science Resource Teacher, for being selected as the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education’s Grand Prize Winner in its STEM lesson plan contest. WCPS learned about the contest at the National Science Teacher Association Conference, and Mr. Hill submitted a STEM lesson he created. In A Better Fort for George, students learn U.S. history, then develop and test fort designs that would have helped George Washington avoid his only surrender – the battle at Fort Necessity during the French and Indian War, 1754. He has worked with teachers in a number of our elementary schools to implement this highly-engaging lesson. As the grand prize winner, he was awarded a $1,500 grant for materials and equipment to further his impact in our elementary classrooms.
Wicomico County Robotics Club Achievements
It was another successful year for the Wicomico County Robotics Club. VEX Team 3389D qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship by being one of the three team alliance teams that won the state championship at the Delmarva State Championship. The World Championship took place in Louisville, Kentucky in late April. Team 3389D finished in 62nd place in their 97-team division. Wicomico County Robotics mentors are very proud of team 3389D and their performance on and off the field.
Certificates of achievement for these team members, all Parkside High students:
Team Captain/CAD: Anisah Khattak
Programmer: Samantha Glenn
Mechanical: Rence Davis
Mechanical: Jeffrey Wyatt Donoway
VEX EDR recommends that World teams bring extra team members as back-ups, and we have certificates of achievement for the following members of other Wicomico Robotics VEX teams that supported the team at Worlds:
Programmer: Patrick SebaRaj, James M. Bennett High
Mechanical: Michael Klos, Mardela High
CAD/Mechanical: Corey Phillips, Mardela High
On February 17th, FTC team 10382 of the Wicomico County Robotics Club competed in the MD/DC State Championship thanks to having won the Inspire Award at both of their district competitions. Judges gave the prestigious Inspire Award to the team that embodies the challenge of the FIRST Tech Challenge program, acting with gracious professionalism both on and off the playing field. The judges only had wonderful things to say, and the mentors of the Wicomico County Robotics Club are very proud of FTC team 10382.
Certificates of achievement for these team members:
Sam Amrhein, Mechanical; Will Amrhein, Mechanical, both Wicomico High
Joe Bernstein, Programming/Mechanical; Jack Cuppett, Mechanical/CAD;
Madison McLaren, Business; Anisah Khattak, Business, all from Parkside High
Goutham Korada, Programming; Ryan More, Mechanical/Programming; Alex Patterson, Business; Alana Reyes, Team Captain; Patrick SebaRaj, Programming, all from James M. Bennett High
Baltimore Ravens Touchdown for Teachers Contest
Salisbury Middle School science and STEM teacher Dr. Chad Pavlekovich was a finalist in the 2018 Ravens Touchdown for Teachers contest. This contest by the Baltimore Ravens and M&T Bank recognizes teachers for outstanding service to their schools and communities. Congratulations to Dr. Pavlekovich, who as one of four finalists was honored at the Ravens Flock Festival and received a $500 grant for his classroom, a personalized Ravens jersey, and a plaque.
Mid-Atlantic Mathematics Challenge
Certificates of recognition for the students who were individual and team winners in the Mid-Atlantic Mathematics Challenge held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on April 19th. The competition was open to high school juniors and focused on applications of Algebra and Geometry in team and individual events. Individual and team winners included one JMB student and the rest were Parkside students:
Individual Winners:
1st Place: Mazen Hamza, James M. Bennett High
2nd Place: Hannah Mascara, Parkside High
3rd Place: Haris Amir, Parkside High
Parkside’s 1st Place team consisted of:
Asher Amey
Haris Amir
Rehan Amir
Eshani Baral
Sara Bennett
Dylan Bennish
Joe Bernstein
Lauren Bradford
Mazen Hamza
Hannah Mascara
Madison McLaren
Jaime Miller-Vail
Brendan Payne
Kinza Pervaiz
Sarah Runge
Brady Smith
Tim Yingling
Coach: Danielle Amey
