Superintendent of Schools Dr. Micah Stauffer and the Wicomico County Board of Education recognized outstanding students, staff members and schools at the March 8 Awards & Recognitions Night, held in the James M. Bennett Auditorium.
“Great things are happening every day in Wicomico Schools, and we were pleased to be able to highlight just some of those great things at this Awards & Recognitions Night,” Dr. Stauffer said.
Photos from this event may be viewed and downloaded here: https://wicomicoschools.smugmug.com/March-8-2023-Awards-Recognitions-Night/
Honorees for the March 8 Awards & Recognitions Night are listed below. Congratulations to all!
2023 All State Instrumentalist and Vocalists
Certificates of achievement to these outstanding 2023 All State performers, each of whom has received All State honors in multiple years. These students have proven themselves to be among the best in the state, as selected by audition from among thousands of candidates. They were chosen for the 2023 Maryland All State musical performing groups, which performed at the Maryland Music Educators Association conference the first weekend in March.
Selected for All State Senior Band:
Kara Lewis, trumpet. Kara is a James M. Bennett High senior, Band Director Douglas Miles
Selected for All State Senior Chorus:
Ava Baer, Soprano I. Ava is a Mardela Middle and High sophomore, choral director John Wixted
Jay Schmuff, bass. Jay is a Parkside High senior, choral director Toni Daniel
2022 Briddell Family Foundation Reading is FUNdamental Award Honoree
Certificate of recognition for Xiomara Riano-Sanchez of East Salisbury Elementary for receiving a Briddell Family Foundation Reading is FUNdamental Award at the foundation’s annual banquet in December. This East Salisbury student participated in the Briddell Foundation’s Read-A-Thon, which included four elementary schools as well as youth and adult readers in the community. She was not only the top reader in her school, but she was No. 3 overall among Read-A-Thon participants.
The Briddell Family Foundation offers ongoing programs to promote literacy and encourage reading among the youth and adults. Since 2001, the Briddell Family Foundation has also been dedicated to providing scholarships to recipients based on their academic record, potential to succeed, leadership skills, and participation in school and community activities.
Outstanding Music Educator Award 2023, Maryland Music Educators Association
Certificate of achievement for Mr. John Wixted, choral and theatre director at Mardela Middle and High, who was honored by the Maryland Music Educators Association on March 4 with an 2023 Outstanding Music Educator Award.
He has been teaching in Wicomico Schools since 2017, first as an elementary music teacher at Pemberton and then as the choral and theatre director for Mardela Middle and High. He is active in the communities of Mardela and Salisbury and contributes to the musical excellence that has helped the school system earn the yearly distinction of being one of NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education. A partial list of what he does includes being an important part of the directing team for the All County Musical, leading students in mastering choreography. He is a leader in his school’s arts integration team, and serves as vice president of the Eastern Shore Choral Directors’ Association. He was a founding director of the ACES (All County Elementary Schools) Choir, and was part of the team of elementary music educators that updated the Wicomico County Elementary General Music Curriculum to reflect the Maryland Fine Arts Standards.
Mr. Wixted’s lessons are exciting, involve all of the students in creativity, performance, and reflection, and are integrated with art, reading, or physical activity. During a pre-performance meeting of the singers and actors one student shared, “I didn’t have much of a family growing up. You all have become my family and I love every one of you.” According to his principal, “John Wixted is the kind of teacher of whom every principal, student, and parent dreams. I cannot imagine my school without him!” Mr. Wixted, we can’t imagine the music and performing arts programs of Wicomico County Public Schools without you.
Winners in Prince Street Elementary’s “Amazing Shake” Competition
Certificate of achievement for the top finisher and certificates of recognition for the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the 2023 Prince Street Elementary “Amazing Shake” Competition:
1st place, Gloria Casimir
2nd place, Sabri Gharbieh
3rd place, Yva Amisial
Prince Street was the first Wicomico school to explore and implement the innovative approaches and initiatives of The Ron Clark Academy, a world-famous school in Atlanta. One of those initiatives is called “The Amazing Shake” to test and develop their interpersonal skills through interacting with adults in various social and business situations. The scholars are scored on skills such as making eye contact, conversing effectively, greeting others appropriately, solving problems, and projecting confidence and friendliness. These are skills not all adults have even mastered. Prince Street first held an Amazing Shake event in February 2020, so everyone was excited this winter to finally have the chance to hold the event again. When a school brings students and community members together for real-life learning experiences it’s very special for all involved.
Round 1 took place in the school gym with the entire 5th Grade of about 125 scholars rotating through dozens of stations where judges and scorers awaited with a challenge. Round 2 took place later that week with the top 10 scholars from Round 1. This time the scholars were tasked with working a large room at the Ward Museum to learn more about the adult volunteers and share a little bit about themselves. The top three students from this round advanced to Round 3, which was lunch and conversation with Superintendent Dr. Stauffer at Texas Roadhouse. At the end of the meal, Dr. Stauffer announced the placement of the three top students in The Amazing Shake. A special thank you to the many community volunteers who took part in the event, and congratulations to all of the scholars who challenged themselves in The 2023 Amazing Shake at Prince Street Elementary.
Teams Qualifying for State Competition from the 2023 FIRST Lego League Eastern Shore Regional Tournament
As part of Wicomico County’s STEM Initiative – STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — Wicomico County hosted a regional FIRST LEGO League tournament in January. Certificates of recognition were given to the two teams that won regional awards and advanced to compete in the state tournament held Feb. 25 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Project ROB (Robots of Brainstorming), Salisbury Middle School: Robot Design Award, and advanced to state competition:
Mason Catellier, MJ Ransom, Brady Phillips, Jonathan Yamakawa, Avery Green, Nathan Swift, Josh Bailey, Carson Vogel, Kyle Bolon
Project R.O.E. (Robots of Exploration), Salisbury Middle School: Champion Aware Award, and advanced to state competition.
Adithya Abhilash, Minsuk Kim, Alex Swift, Nathan Arvi, Ben Smith, Logan Kim, Mohamed Ahmed, Logan Swift
Coach of both teams: James McCrobie
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certified Teachers (New and Renewed)
Certificates of achievement for these Wicomico educators who are either newly certified through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or who have successfully renewed their national certification, a process that takes place every 10 years.
Newly nationally certified: Kellie Harvey, Fruitland Primary music teacher
Renewed as a nationally certified teacher:
Dana Hetzler, ESOL teacher at the English Language Support Center
Debra Riley, based at Pinehurst and serving vision-impaired students throughout Wicomico County Public Schools
Katrina Zimmerman, Charles H. Chipman Elementary art teacher
Dr. Brian Raygor, Chief Finance and Operations Officer for Wicomico County Public Schools, formerly a science teacher, science supervisor and Director of Curriculum, Instructional Resources, and Professional Development
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards operates a nationwide certification program to recognize accomplished teachers and help generate ongoing improvement in schools. Eligible candidates must demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in their individual certificate area. It’s a rigorous process that yields professional rewards for the teacher and the students the teacher serves. We are thankful for all of Wicomico’s current nationally certified teachers. We welcome others who have national certification to begin teaching here, and encourage those already on our teaching staff who want to begin pursuing national certification to do so.
The Maryland State Department of Education has implemented a new Blueprint for Maryland’s Future program to attract and retain National Board Certified Teachers throughout the state, because quality educators are key to student success. National board certification also qualifies those actively teaching in Maryland Public Schools classrooms for a $10,000 boost in salary.
2023 2A State Champions in High Jump and Pole Vault, Indoor Track & Field
Athletes spend months preparing for and competing in the winter Indoor Track & Field season to challenge themselves to perform their very best. Two of our high school student-athletes did just that, earning top honors at the highest level in the Indoor Track & Field State Championships.
Certificates of achievement to these 2023 2A state champions in Indoor Track & Field:
Indoor Track & Field 2A Pole Vault state champion: Kareem Kamandego, Parkside High
Indoor Track & Field 2A High Jump state champion: Hailey Elliott, Wicomico High
2022-2023 Maryland School of Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE)
North Salisbury Elementary School, already hailed as an EGATE School of Excellence once before, earned the 2022-2023 Maryland School of Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) Schools designation. This year, 11 EGATE applications from across the state were reviewed by a team from the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education. Seven schools, including North Salisbury School, were identified as EGATE Schools for demonstrating Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education. Schools that earn the EGATE designation serve as a model in the state, and were recognized Feb. 28 in a statewide virtual event.
The application process for a school to receive EGATE recognition for Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education requires school teams to reflect upon and document how their gifted and talented education program is aligned with the Maryland Criteria for Excellence: Gifted and Talented Education Program Guidelines and the Code of Maryland Regulations: Gifted and Talented Education. It is a long, rigorous and exhaustive examination of a school’s offerings for gifted and talented education.
Recognition for the core North Salisbury EGATE Committee members who led the school through the 18-month application process to earn the EGATE designation:
Kimberly Pinhey, Principal; Ruby Brown, Supervisor; TAD teachers Jill Adams, Kristen Briggs, Kelly Hamilton and Jennifer Watson, and Jacqueline Gregory, 3rd grade Traditional teacher
Almost every teacher and staff member at NSS contributed in some way or another to the application during the process. With thanks to the extended EGATE committee:
Teachers and school staff members: Donna Gregory, Marchelle Mills, Adrienne Jenkins, Roxie Dennis, Christy Tawes, Kelli Lewis, Marie Baker, Chris McLaughlin, Nicole Hanson, Teresa Williams, Joann Exline and Judy Hogans
Parents: Caryn Williams and Elizabeth Jimmerson
Community members: the Rev. Buzz Gregory and Tammy Schtierman
Unified Strength and Conditioning State Invitational Gold Medal Winners
Wicomico Schools is proud to partner with Special Olympics Maryland to offer Unified Sports seasons in its high schools. Students with and without disabilities join to have fun, master the skills of a sport, and compete in tennis in the fall, bocce in the spring, and strength and conditioning in the winter. Gold medal-winning athletes and coaches from two high schools were presented with certificates of achievement for state-level success in Unified Strength and Conditioning.
Mardela Middle and High has had an active Unified sports program over the years, but this year there was only one student-athlete ready to represent the school in Unified Strength and Conditioning. Where there’s a will there’s a way, and Ryleigh Crippen, with support from coaches Joe Hastings and Mike Brittingham at Mardela Middle and High, competed on a combined team with athletes of Washington High School & Academy in Princess Anne. This combined “Jagdela” team competed at the state invitational in February and won a gold medal in its division.
Parkside High’s Strength and Conditioning team advanced from the district level to compete in the state invitational in February. The Parkside team brought home the gold medal in its division:
Adithi Abhilash, Catherine Calloway, Tanner Corry, Matthew Cramer, Avery Donaway, Jordan Fletcher, Mahmoud Giha, David Harkins, Molly Haberkorn, Katie Knapp, Thomas Lee, Caroline Moore, Sophia Sarbanes, Emerson Savage, McKenzie Watson, Teniya Williams, Charlie Woodgeard
Coaches: Kimberly Pelot and Kelsey Beach
