LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 30, 2008)—The Maryland Higher Education Commission recognized two Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students as finalists in the area of academic achievement through the Distinguished Scholar Program. They are Mary Fletcher, a senior at Westlake High School, and Gavin Reen, a senior at La Plata High School.
Five other CCPS students were recognized as semifinalists in the area of academic achievement. They are: Sophia Dent, La Plata; Lauren Albrittain, Thomas Stone High School; Nikki Sanford, Stone; Tiphanie Gammon, Westlake; and Kimberly Wiman, Westlake.
Stephanie Pope, of La Plata, was recognized as a semifinalist in the area of talent-in-the-arts for drama.
The Distinguished Scholar program rewards finalists with a $3,000 scholarship per year for four years as an incentive to attend a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university. Students apply for the program during their junior year and are eligible for awards in three areas: academic achievement, talent in the arts, and national merit and national achievement.
Semifinalists are eligible to receive the award once all finalists have either accepted or declined. Finalists must decline the award if they plan on attending a college or university outside of Maryland.
Students considered for the academic achievement award must have an unweighted grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale in academic subjects taken during their first five semesters of high school. Final eligibility is determined on the basis of grade point average and SAT/PSAT/ACT scores.
Students considered for the talent in the arts category for areas in visual art, instrumental or vocal music, dance or drama must audition or undergo a portfolio review before a panel of professional judges.
National merit and national achievement finalists, identified in their senior year, are automatically eligible for the scholarship and are offered the award after they indicate they will attend a Maryland institution.
The $4.2 million program provides 350 new scholarships annually and provides continuing awards to students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average. The scholarship award can be used toward any college-related costs.
Additionally, 77 CCPS students were recognized as honorable mention recipients.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Henry E. Lackey High School are: Geralyn Adams, Shannon Boswell, Maya Davis, Mercedez Jackson, Kristen Lamb, Stephanie Lamb, Iesha Lane, Raven Posey, Lori Renick, Regina Samara, Camille Walker, Jasmine White, and Abigail Willett.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from La Plata High School are: Corinne Arnold, Christopher DiMisa, Lauren Dickerson, Ross Eagles, Alexander Golding, Adam Hassan, Garrett Kline, Kathryn Kline, Lara Lee, Michelle Lee, Gabriele Ricciardi, Paula Riner, Jamie Robertson, Jessica Schenck, and Kayla Weimert.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Maurice J. McDonough High School are: Jacqueline Adams, Diane Berringer, John Bortner, Meghan Rudolfi, Shelby Rudolfi, Jordan Stephenson, Stacy Tiscione, Sarah Toribio and Andrew Zippi.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from North Point High School: Andrew Belle, Caitlin Bozick, Evelyn Brooke, Mariah Cheaves, Felix Colaciello, Robert DiMauro, Travis Finkenauer, Patrick Gaume, Peter Marquis, Matthew Nenno, Kelsey Pearson, Megan Pejsa, Rachel Roberts, Jenna Roussillon, Zachary Schrammel and Ashley Veasy.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Thomas Stone High School are: Sara Arminger, Dylan Cahn, Joshua Cushenette, Rachel Eddy, Courtney Flerlage, Allison Floyd, Simon Jerome, Tiffany Mills, Morgan Thomas, Emily Trefry, Megan Ward and Chelsea Warman.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Westlake High School are: Nicole Givens, Ashantey Hinton, Chelsea Moran, Amy Rappole, and Rachel Zaccarelli.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Talent in the Arts are: Raven Posey, visual art, Lackey; Rachel Barrows, visual art, La Plata; Marie Farley, drama, La Plata; Danielle Davis, visual art, McDonough; and Megan Ward, drama, Stone.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission provided CCPS with these student's names.
Source: The Charles County public school system