The Board of Education at its October 10 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students. Students are honored for accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility.
Honored were Rae Diarra of Arthur Middleton Elementary School, Alisha Saunders of Gale-Bailey Elementary School, Desmond “Desi” Warner of Mary H. Matula Elementary School, Adriana Leggett of Milton M. Somers Middle School and Miranda Benjamin of Maurice J. McDonough High School.
Diarra is a fifth-grade student at Middleton and was recognized for academic achievement. Diarra is “a dedicated and passionate student, who is a true leader and is consistently respectful to all,” Middleton Principal Nicole Hawkins said. She puts her best efforts into her work, having a positive attitude toward difficult tasks. She is a consistent contributor to classroom discussions bringing an outside perspective to any discussion. Diarra said that reading is her favorite subject, enjoying fantasy books the most. She has been in the gifted and talented program since second grade and has consistently earned Honor Roll every quarter in third and fourth grade. In fourth grade, she received a top score with the math team at the school. This year she returns to the math team as a fifth-grade member.
Saunders is a fifth-grade student at Gale-Bailey and was honored for academic achievement. Saunders is known by her teachers as a quiet storm of potential with boundless possibilities. “She is a natural leader and role model who shows unwavering support to other students at the school,” Gale-Bailey Principal Tangie Scales said. Her teachers describe her as a hard worker who stands out among her peers. Saunders contributes to class discussions and demonstrates leadership qualities. She is known for her quiet strength, her readiness to help classmates and her proactive approach in ensuring group success.
Warner is a fifth-grade student at Matula and was recognized for academic achievement. Warner earned Principal’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll every quarter in third and fourth grades. “He consistently demonstrates Matula’s ‘three R’s’ – [he is] Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Learn – always well-prepared and engaged in daily lessons,” Matula Principal Carrie Richardson said. “He is always thinking outside of the box and taking his work to the next level with his creativity.” He enjoys math and constantly demonstrates excellence in the subject. Warner is known as a role model and hard worker, helping whenever needed. Last year, as the county’s top individual scorer and a member of the fourth-grade math team, Warner helped lead the team to first place honors at the Elementary Math Challenge.
Leggett is an eighth-grade student at Somers and was recognized for career readiness. Leggett is described by her teachers as a model student and a true scholar showcasing a genuine interest in her studies. As a focused and inquisitive learner, she “consistently demonstrates personal responsibility” and “loves to help her peers.” Her diligence, dedication and love of learning has set her on the path to academic and career success. Leggett aspires to become a lawyer one day and she is interested in joining the debate team or the Mock Trial club in high school. She wants to attend college and law school after high school.
Benjamin is a senior at McDonough and was recognized for personal responsibility. Benjamin is a student in the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program at the school. She has earned a 4.28 GPA while at McDonough and is currently ranked in the top 5% of her class. When she is not excelling in the classroom, she is on the volleyball court as a captain on the varsity team. Benjamin participates in school events for the community regularly volunteering at the school’s concession stand. She is focused on achieving her goals while being attentive to her studies and responsibilities as an older sibling being one of 11 children, McDonough Principal Darnell Russell said.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).