LA PLATA, Md. (June 26, 2009)—Five Charles County Public Schools recent graduates from the Class of 2009 were named Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
They are: Tiphanie Gammon, Westlake High School's salutatorian; Simon Jerome, Thomas Stone High School's valedictorian; Peter Marquis of North Point High School; Jordan Stephenson, Maurice J. McDonough High School's salutatorian; and Victoria Weiss, La Plata High School's valedictorian.
They will each receive a scholarship award of up $1,500 a year for four years of undergraduate study. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit for each scholar's four years of study at any college in the United States.
MSDE selected 118 2009 award recipients from Maryland. Nominees are chosen by their school principal and are ranked in the top 1 percent of their graduating class. Nominees must also be admitted to a college or university as a full-time college student and a Maryland resident.
The program is designed to promote student excellence and achievement, and recognizes exceptional students who show promise of continued excellence as they pursue higher education. Scholars were named in all counties in Maryland, as well as at private schools.