LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 30, 2009)—The Maryland Higher Education Commission named two Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students as finalists in the area of academic achievement through the Distinguished Scholars Program. They are La Plata High School seniors Tyler Fini and Rosemary Garcia.
Three other CCPS students were recognized as semifinalists in the area of academic achievement. They are: Rachel Clark, senior, La Plata; Sylvie Delahunt, senior, North Point High School; and John Buntz, senior, Westlake High School.
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 achievement.
Semifinalists are eligible to receive the award once all finalists have either accepted or declined the scholarship offer. 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 college or university.
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, 80 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: Hazel Afroilan, Mary Campbell, Kelsey Cleland, Jennilyn Gabor, Sarah Gotzmer, Brittany Pierceall, Daniel Russ, Ayanna Surratte, Jennifer Weightman, Bianca West, Sara Willett and Amanda Wilmot.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from La Plata High School are: Emma Albrittain, Kaitlin Benitz, Concetta Capoen, Chelsea Conger, Megan Crozier, Taylor Havey, Nathan Larsen, Daniel Pichola, Holly Reilly, Caroline Richards, Amanda Romero, Adam Spensieri, Katherine Troy and Anna Wells.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Maurice J. McDonough High School are: Amanda Cabrera, Shelby Clarke, Jessey Ervin, Malia Hairston, Meagan Jezek, Lauren Jones, Diamond Joseph and Rosalyn Warren.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from North Point High School are: Matthew Banky, Kirk Dillon Del Rosario, Falyn Donaldson, Jade Dyson, Emily Forinash, Ryan Friedrich, Dillon Gustafson, Jenna Levendusky, Pearson Newsome, Julia Park, Amy Pejsa, Allison Reitz, Kyle Terry, Christopher Willis and Robert Willis.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Thomas Stone High School are: Asiah Cauley, Michelle Edelen, Erika Specht, Abigail Thomas and Christian Waltersdorff.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Academic Achievement from Westlake High School are: Kathryn Brown, Miesha Burley, Krystle Canare, Ronnie Ibrahim, Jessica Koster, Kelcey Landgraf, Amy McGinnis, Sarah Nigh, Leo Pierce, Jeanine Segarra and Amelia Tarlton.
Students recognized as honorable mention in the area of Talent in the Arts are: Alexandra Reese, drama, Lackey; Stefanie De Leon, visual art, La Plata; Russell Hrabe, drama, La Plata; Holly Reilly, instructional music, La Plata; Andie Younkin, visual art, La Plata; Joshua Abbott, instrumental music, McDonough; Abigail Barber, drama, McDonough; Christen Burke, instrumental music, McDonough; Madelyn Mazzeo, instrumental music, McDonough; Caleb Riddick, visual art, McDonough; Elizabeth Stahl, visual art, North Point; Colin Buckingham, drama, Thomas Stone High School; Kirbie Gowen, vocal music, Stone; Kathleen LaForte, drama, Stone; Ross McCool, instrumental music, Westlake; and Dylan Welch, vocal music, Westlake.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission provided CCPS with these students' names.
Source: The Charles County public school system