Charles Co. Board of Ed. Recognizes Outstanding Students

LA PLATA, Md. (Jan. 13, 2016)—The Board of Education honored four students on Tuesday, Jan. 12 for excellence in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility. Honored were Hayley Pinggoy, fifth grade, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School; Cornell Lowe, fifth grade, William B. Wade Elementary School; Olivia Johnson, eighth grade, Matthew Henson Middle School; and Michael Weeks, senior, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center.

Pinggoy was honored by the Board in the area of academic achievement and was chosen for recognition for demonstrating a love of learning and an excellent work ethic. She has attended Jenifer since kindergarten and maintains honor roll grades. She is enrolled in the gifted and talented program for both reading and mathematics and currently reads on a ninth-grade level. Pinggoy is active in several school activities such as the Just Say No and the Jenifer Geo clubs, and is a member of the school math and mathematics, engineering and science achievement (MESA) teams. She also plays the piano and violin and aspires to study engineering.

Lowe was recognized by the Board in the area of career readiness and was honored for serving as a role model for his peers and demonstrating exemplary personal responsibility. He is enrolled in gifted courses for reading and mathematics and works diligently on all assignments. Lowe enjoys challenging instruction and is well known among his teachers for his drive to always do his best. He enjoys learning about math and science and is a member of the school MESA team. Outside of school, Lowe is active in his community, plays flag football and runs indoor track. He aspires to become an engineer and open his own business.

Johnson was honored by the Board in the area of academic achievement and was chosen for recognition for her commitment to learning and excelling in her classes. She is enrolled in the scholars course of study and takes geometry at Maurice J. McDonough High School. Johnson strives to maintain honor roll grades and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the school drama club. Outside of school, Johnson is an avid reader, plays tennis and is active in her church community. After she graduates from high school, Johnson plans to pursue a career as an attorney, actor or educator.

Weeks was honored by the Board in the area of personal responsibility and was chosen for recognition for his commitment to learning and to the career and technology education (CTE) programs at Stethem. Weeks is enrolled in the horticulture services program at Stethem, where he has helped to coordinate holiday arrangement sales, landscaping projects and presentations about CTE programs. He was recently chosen by his teachers for being a role model student to help with CTE program presentations for parent-teacher organization (PTO) groups. He is president of the Stethem Future Farmers of America chapter and volunteers with the Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Weeks plans to enter the work force or sign up with the Armed Forces after he graduates.

Each month the Board of Education honors students for their success in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility.

Source: Charles Co. Public Schools