HCPSS Students and Staff Recognized at March Board of Education Meetings

April 16th, 2015

The following student and staff achievements were recognized at the Board of Education meetings on March 12 and March 26:

Students:
Hammond High School junior Essien Ture was one of only three high school athletes to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. Ture played basketball for Hammond when he was diagnosed with a vascular condition that resulted in part of his leg being amputated. Essien worked to come back and play for the Hammond team. The award honors National Football League players and high school athletes who exemplify the principles of sportsmanship and courage.

Mount Hebron High School student and wrestler Zach Wilhelm competed in a wrestling tournament in February and was given the trophy for the Fastest Pin Award. That pin was against a wrestler who, because of a disability, could only wrestle using his hands. Upon receiving his trophy, Wilhelm gave his opponent the trophy, saying that he deserved it more for having the biggest heart in the tournament. Wilhelm went beyond good sportsmanship and showed class and kindness.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the country’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. One of the two state winners is Ellie Feaga, a seventh grader at Glenwood Middle School. Ellie has raised more than $20,000 for a variety of charities by hosting an annual bake sale that has become a major event in the community.

Staff:
HCPSS Manager for Custodial Services Olivia Claus is one of only seven facility managers nationwide to be appointed to the Green Clean Schools Leadership Council. The council brings together K-12 and university school facility directors across the U.S to provide green cleaning guidance to schools across the country. In 2012, HCPSS’s cleaning program won the national Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities.

Bellows Spring Elementary School Principal Carol Hahn has been named a 2015 National Distinguished Principal by the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals. The National Distinguished Principals program recognizes and celebrates elementary and middle-level principals who set high standards for

The Howard County Arts Council presented its annual Outstanding Arts Educator to art teacher and department chair at Reservoir High School, Greg English. The award is presented to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to arts education in the county.