Honorees Culled from the Top Students in Maryland
BALTIMORE (JUNE 18, 2009) - The Maryland State Department of Education has named 143 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars for 2009. Fifteen of the scholars attend schools in southern Maryland.
Each honoree receives a four-year scholarship worth up to $1,500 per year, to be used for undergraduate study at any institution of higher education based on cost of attendance. The scholars were chosen from more than 600 nominees made by public and private high school principals, as well as from home schooling entities, from across the state.
"Maryland has the great fortune of having scores of talented young people at our high schools, and this program gives us a chance to celebrate their incredible accomplishments," said Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. "This program provides important financial help as our students prepare to further their education."
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is designed to promote student excellence and achievement. The program recognizes exceptionally able students that show promise of continued excellence as they pursue higher education. Principals at both public and private schools were invited to nominate students from the top 1 percent of their graduating classes for this prestigious award. Qualifying GED and home school graduates also are considered for the honor.
Scholars were named in all 24 public school systems, as well as at private schools.
The list of Maryland Byrd Scholars from southern Maryland follows:
CALVERT
-- Julian Hassinger, Calvert High School
-- Katherine Shirley, Northern High School
-- Sandy Carter, Patuxent High School
-- Adrian Harding, Huntingtown High School
CHARLES
-- Simon Jerome, Thomas Stone High School
-- Peter Marquis, North Point High School
-- Jordan Stephenson, Maurice J. McDonough High School
-- Jacquelyn Blake-Hedges, St. Mary's Ryken High School
-- Victoria Weiss, LaPlata High School
-- Tiphanie Gammon, Westlake High School
ST. MARY'S
-- Kristina Dronenburg, Great Mills High School
-- Lauren Bussler, Leonardtown High School
-- Matthew Leepa, Home School
-- Rachel Peissner, Chopticon High School
-- Michael Branigan, Great Mills High School