HCPSS Coordinator, River Hill HS Club to Receive Howard County Human Rights Awards

October 31st, 2014

HCPSS Curriculum Coordinator for Advanced Programs Mark Stout and the River Hill Cultural Awareness Club are recipients of the 2014 Howard County Human Rights Awards. They will be honored by the County’s Human Rights Commission at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Slayton House in Wilde Lake, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, in Columbia.

According to Commission officials, the award honors individuals and community organizations for contributions to human and civil rights in Howard County. The purpose of the award is to recognize exemplary citizenship, dedicated leadership and outstanding achievement in eliminating or eradicating discrimination, while advancing human rights for all residents of Howard County.

The RHHS Cultural Awareness Club annually sponsors a cultural awareness night at the school, which invites students and community members to experience various domestic and international cultures through music, food, arts and fashion. In March, the Club launched its “The Hero In Us All,” school-wide campaign to recognize individuals who champion human rights and education worldwide.

Dr. Stout, who has worked for 13 years as an HCPSS coordinator and 28 overall, says the award is a high professional honor.

“I am very honored to win the award, as I think the work of the Human Rights Commission is among the most important for our community. We live in an increasingly diverse society, with citizens emigrating from around the globe to come to Howard County. It is important to remind all of the need to preserve the dignity of individuals, and to honor the beliefs of all members of our community, while maintaining the traditions of civil and human rights that form the core of our government and legal systems. I take great pride in the work of our social studies teachers, who take the lead in addressing diversity, civility, human rights, and controversial issues with our students. They are my heroes.”

Winners are selected by commission officials following a public nomination process.