HCPSSHCPSS Recognizes Outstanding Students and Educators
June 15th, 2017
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) applauds the following students and educators, who were recently recognized for noteworthy achievements.
- Four HCPSS mathematics teachers and teacher leaders were selected as the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics Outstanding Mathematics Educators of the Year. Elkridge Landing Middle School’s Rachael Degnan won in the Beginning Teacher category. Renato Gonzales and Christine Sweigart of Oakland Mills High School were both honored in the High School Teacher category. Thomas Viaduct Middle School teacher Melissa Waggoner won in the Other Teacher Educator (Teacher Leader) category.
- Ten HCPSS teachers were recently honored by the Maryland Chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh at a teacher appreciation event held at Forest Ridge Elementary School. Lori Arena, Olivia Beijan and Jessica Lifson of Rockburn Elementary School; Sheila Handler, Angela McLean, Kimberly Nupp and Donna Tafuri from Ilchester Elementary School; Carol Hahn of Bellows Spring Elementary School; Anjana Kohli of Northfield Elementary School; and Jennifer Sanseverino from Thunder Hill Elementary School were recognized at a Guru Vandana ceremony, an annual event that offers Hindu students an opportunity to honor and recognize their teachers. Educators were treated to cultural performances, traditional food and mementos.
- HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Specialist Elisa Montalvo was selected as a winner of the 2017 American Success Award by the Foreign-born Information and Referral Network (FIRN). The award recognizes foreign-born individuals who live or work in Howard County who have made a significant contribution to the community, achieved success in their profession and helped foster a greater awareness of Howard County’s diversity.
- Two Spanish IV Honors students at Wilde Lake High School won first and second place in the Original Poem Contest sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (MD AATSP). Bishal Regmi won first place with “Soy Imperfecto.” Tori Tobias was second with “Soy yo.” The students were recognized at a recent MD AATSP event.
- Centennial High School junior Braden Vaughan was selected to take part in the National Youth Orchestra (NYO), which will perform at Carnegie Hall on July 21, and then go on the orchestra’s first-ever Latin American tour in the summer. The NYO musicians will study and perform with renowned Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conductor Marin Alsop. For the full list of 2017 NYO performers, visit https://www.carnegiehall.org/NYOUSA_2017_Orchestra_Roster.
- Three other Howard County students were selected for the National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2), a version of the National Youth Orchestra for younger performers. Burleigh Manor Middle School bassoonist Asha Kline, Mt. Hebron High School trombonist Griffin Cutaiar, and Marriotts Ridge High School violist David Stephens will perform in Philadelphia and at Carnegie Hall with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and 75 other members of NYO2. For the full list of 2017 NYO2 orchestra members, visit https://www.carnegiehall.org/NYO2/2017/OrchestraRoster.
- Bonnie Branch Middle School performers achieved top honors at Music in the Parks at Hershey Park. All Bonnie Branch performing ensembles received Superior ratings, First Place in their categories, and best overall for their ensemble types, taking home six trophies in all. The BBMS band received the highest score of all 31 performing groups, and the chorus and orchestra earned the second and third highest scores.
