On Friday, June 6, Joe Holt, the host and jazz piano accompanist for The Mainstay’s First Friday programs, welcomes The Mainstay’s own Matt Mielnick. Matt has put together a program he has called All the Songs I Ever Wanted to Sing, But Never Had the Chance.

Matt was hired as Executive Director for The Mainstay nearly four years ago. He currently holds the title of Artistic Director.

Matt’s baby boomer song list includes a familiar tune from vintage Saturday morning cowboy movies, selections from the Rat Pack, soul music hits, a classic jazz number, and a few acoustic favorites. With the added touches of Joe on piano, Dave Renz on sax, Bob Colligan on bass, and Larry Marshall on drums, Matt and Joe promise a comfortable and fun groove for the evening.

Showtime for the Mainstay concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall,

The Gunston School’s annual spring fundraiser, Golfing “fore” Gunston VI, on Friday, May 2 welcomed parents, alumni and community members for a beautiful and warm day on the links at Queenstown Harbor. More than 80 golfers and 25 sponsors raised $40,000 for the school’s annual giving program, supporting the students and faculty of Gunston. Golfers began at 9 a.m. and enjoyed a lunch cookout at the Turn as well as refreshments and snacks throughout the day. After finishing 18 holes, golfers gathered for an awards ceremony.

Placing first for the Women’s/Mixed category was the “Fred Frederick Team” of Janell Frederick, P’23’25 (who also hit a hole in one that day!), Liz Brinster, Bonnie Castille and Julie Dixon, with a score of 59. First place for the Men’s category went to the “Angry Birdies,” with John Caron, P’17, Curtis Biggs, Jim Shifrin, P’21’21, and Brian Zottarelli, P’25’27 with a score of 55. Prizes for first place winners included Cooperstown Distillery bourbon whiskey bottled in golf club-shaped decanters with a set of nesting shot glasses. Winners for Men and Women’s Longest drive took home a new Stanley Cooler and included Charles Boyd and Julie Dixon. Dixon also won Closest to the Pin, receiving a foursome gift certificate from Queenstown Harbor.

Joining again this year was Professional Long Driver Scott Kalamar for an entertaining “Hole in 2” challenge, where golfers who made a qualifying donation can attempt to hole out the pro’s 400-yard drive on Par 5 for a chance to win a 3-day dream golf getaway to Pebble Beach, Cal.

Head of School John Lewis addressed golfers and sponsors at the awards ceremony. “First, I’d like to thank Golf Event Chair Brigitte Stranahan, P’25’27 for her leadership and help with this event, and I just really want to thank everyone here again for their generous support. Because of your commitment to the school, I get to say ‘yes’—yes to incredible experiences for our students and faculty that enrich their lives and expand their horizons. Just last week, I had the privilege of taking a group of students to Chicago for a national academic competition—a trip that simply wouldn’t have been possible without the kind of community support represented here today. On behalf of everyone at Gunston, thank you for making these moments possible.”

Tournament sponsors include Heron Heroes Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23 ’25) and What’s Up? Media. Grill Station sponsors include Heron Heroes Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Horace K. Wood, DMD, PA (Leigh & Dr. Horace K. Wood, P’24’27). Awards sponsors include Heron Heroes McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27), “Friends of Gunston,” Paul Ewing’s Contractor Supply (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), The Bent Family, P’25’27 and Serino Orthodontics. Eagle sponsors include Heron Heroes Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals, The Dreeke Family, P’28, Callahan’s Gas & Appliances (The Callahan Family, P’22), and PepUp (Melanie & Nash McMahan, P’27’28). Birdie sponsors include Heron Heroes Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, The Shifrin Family, P’21’21, Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC (Marie & Stephen Thomas), ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27’29), Dogwood Acres (The Reichardt Family, P’21), Shore United Bank (The Augustus Family, P’26’28), The Country School, and Tred Avon Family Wealth. Hole sponsors include Lona Sue Todd of Taylor Properties, Wrench & Socket, LLC (Beth & Tim Lavery, P’26), and St. Anne’s School of Annapolis.

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Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

This past weekend, The Gunston School hosted the 2025 Maryland State High School Rowing Championships on its 75-acre campus situated on the Corsica River, bringing together 130 athletes and approximately 300 spectators from across the state. Participating programs included Roland Park Country School, Elizabeth Seton High School, Freedom Rowers, Blair Crew, and host team Gunston.

“I’m incredibly proud of our rowers—not just for their strong finishes, but for the teamwork, determination, and grace they showed throughout the regatta. Hosting this event is always an honor, and it was wonderful to see so many dedicated young athletes competing at such a high level,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics and Head Crew Coach Natalie Reading. Thanks to the Corsica River’s natural protection, race conditions remained consistent and calm all day—perfect for competition.

Roland Park Country School was named the overall state champion, with strong finishes across multiple events, including gold in the Women’s Varsity 4+ (WV4+) and Women’s Novice 4+ (WN4+). Gunston earned second place overall, highlighted by gold medals in both the Men’s Varsity 4+ (MV4+) and Men’s Junior Varsity 4+ (MJV4+). Medals were awarded for all first-place finishes, and the event served as a celebration of the dedication and sportsmanship of Maryland’s young rowers.

Support for the regatta was provided by USRowing, the Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the Maryland State Police. Thanks to strong collaboration between coaches, race officials, and safety agencies, this year’s regatta ran more smoothly than ever before, earning praise from participants and spectators alike. Additional images can be found online at row2k.com.

Kent County Middle School is on a hot streak, being able to now boast back-to-back Teachers of the Year.

Each spring Kent County Public Schools honors a Teacher of the Year, Support Employee of the Year and Promising Educator Award winner.

This month, Kent County Middle School teacher Cheryl Fracassi was named the 2025 Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

The ceremony was held April 16 in the Kent County High School auditorium, where all of the school-level award winners were cheered on by their colleagues and family members.

Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas joined the celebration led by Director of Human Resources Dan Hushion, with Board of Education members, Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz and retired educator Leon Frison serving as award presenters.

Kaityln Wright, 2024 Teacher of Year and Fracassi’s colleague at Kent County Middle School, gave a keynote address. Chef John Keller and his Kent County High School culinary arts students prepared hors d’oeuvres and refreshments for the ceremony.

Dr. McComas said the event is so special because there is no way to really quantify the hard work that goes into supporting students and teachers every day.

“It is so important that we come together at least once a year to really lift up those who are going above and beyond on a daily basis to support our children and support our colleagues,” Dr. McComas said. “They represent the very best of who we are as an organization and the very best of who we are as a community.”

Along with Fracassi, the Teacher of the Year nominees were Rebeka Wooters, Galena Elementary School; Kathleen Devine, H.H. Garnet Elementary School; Drew Walters, Rock Hall Elementary School; and Johanna Cohen, Kent County High School.

“In the words of her colleagues, Cheryl goes above and beyond for her students, creating a supportive environment that prioritizes their social and emotional learning and academic growth,” Dr. McComas said of Fracassi.

Fracassi began her education career in 2012, joining Kent County Public Schools in 2019 as a teacher in the behavior support classroom.

Based at Kent County Middle School, Fracassi is currently the lead teacher for the Pathways Program, supporting students identified as having significant behavioral challenges in the general education classroom environment.

She is also leading the implementation of Restorative Practices at the middle school, an approach to conflict resolution that focuses on relationship building and social connections.

“Her leadership in Restorative Practices has empowered her students to develop stronger self-regulation skills, fostering a positive and productive learning environment,” McComas said.

During the summer months, Fracassi teaches in the Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties program, helping local students maintain and build on the skills they learned during the prior school year. She was the named the program’s site director at Washington College this year.

“I want to thank my husband, who supports me no matter what I do,” Fracassi said after being named the 2025 Teacher of the Year. “He is my rock and my support.”
She also gave a special thank you to her work family at Kent County Middle School, highlighting the important role they play in supporting her and one another.

“I don’t know how I could do it without you,” she told the Kent County Middle School team.

Fracassi joins a cohort of Teachers of the Year from the state’s 23 other school systems in competing to be the 2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year.

The Support Employees of the Year for each building are: Amanda Jackson, Galena Elementary School; Regina Jones, H.H. Garnet Elementary School; Maria Gordillo-Terreros, Rock Hall Elementary School; B.T. King, Kent County Middle School; and Ralph Johnson, Kent County High School.

Johnson, who works with students in the Kent Alternative Program (KAP) at the high school, was named the 2025 Kent County Public Schools Support Employee of the year.

“Being a part of KAP has been a very changing experience,” Johnson said.

He credited Tishara Collins, assistant principal leading KAP, with building what he thinks is the best alternative program in the state. He thanked his family and his work family at KAP for their support.

A teacher showing great potential in the first years of their Kent County Public Schools career is recognized with the annual Promising Educator Award.

There were five nominees for this year’s award: Abigail Saxton, Galena Elementary School; Madison Kendall, H.H. Garnet Elementary School; Breanna Reardon, Rock Hall Elementary School; and Gabriella Crisham and Patrick McColigan, both from Kent County High School.

Kendall, a Kent County High School and Washington College graduate, received the 2025 Promising Educator Award.

“It is very evident that Ms. Kendall loves teaching. Her enthusiasm and excitement are reflected in her students. It is a joy to watch Ms. Kendall teach and interact with her students each and every day,” Hushion read from Kendall’s nomination letter submitted by her principal Brenda Rose.

Kendall thanked her family and boyfriend for supporting her, including helping her prepare for lessons by doing things like cutting out 500 flashcards; her teacher-mentor Mary Brown; and Rose.

In her keynote address, Wright, the 2024 Teacher of the Year and a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year, celebrated all of the honorees at this year’s school system awards ceremony for their dedication to students. She noted how this year’s recipients spoke about their work families.

“Each of you is a part of what makes this family strong,” Wright said. “I am so grateful knowing that you have dedicated yourselves to helping build such a loving village for our students.”

Hushion thanked the sponsors of this year’s awards: Hertrich of Elkton, which provides a vehicle to the Teacher of the Year; JBK Hardware; the Inn at Huntingfield Creek; Java Rock; Sweet Cheeks; Wildly Native Flower Farm; Spa Angels; Red Acres Hydroponics; Modern Stone Age Kitchen; Haven Harbor Marina Resorts; Harbor Shack; Church Hill Theatre; Evergrain Bread Co.; the Chester River Packet; Chesapeake Bank and Trust; Talkie Communications; Eve’s Cheese; and the Kent County government.

Transforming Lives Campaign Public Phase announced Funds raised support critical services for those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.

Guests walked the Red Carpet into Benedictine’s “A Celebration to Transform Lives” Gala on April 26, 2025, held at the Trident Aircraft Hangar. Over 150 guests enjoyed a Hollywood-themed evening and raised nearly $180,000 for the intellectually and developmentally disabled and autistic children and adults supported by Benedictine.

Candi Chiaruttini and Paul Milne of Easton, MD, co-chaired the event.  Candi is a recent addition to Benedictine’s Board of Directors.  She and Paul are active members of the Easton community, who founded the legendary restaurant 208 Talbot in St. Michael’s and owned The Oaks Waterfront Inn until 2022.  “Paul and I are honored to chair this event on behalf of Benedictine.  A dear childhood friend is supported by the Benedictine.  I’ve seen firsthand how the services and incredible staff at the organization have positively influenced his life.  We support the work Benedictine does for children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, and think it’s important to bring a broader awareness to the community about the programs they provide,” commented Candi Chiaruttini.

Scott Evans, Executive Director of Benedictine, announced the public phase of the “Transforming Lives” campaign, which will transform and upgrade two major spaces on the organization’s Ridgely, MD, campus.  “We are thrilled to announce the public phase of our ‘Transforming Lives’ campaign.  We have raised more than $ 14 million towards our goal of $ 18 million!  These funds will be used for the following:

The Benedictine School Residential Wing; these new, modern residential dorms will provide our students with a comfortable, homelike setting for learning and living

Unrestricted Support; supports urgent needs and is vital to make up the difference between funding agencies and operating costs. These funds ensure the highest quality programs and services

The Benedictine Ridgely Training and Enrichment Center for Adults; this new center will provide a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, computer lab, and adaptable spaces that will provide a variety of activities and training, and will also house offices for the adult services staff.

Benedictine Staff Support will provide resources for staff incentives and activities that enhance the staff experience

A heartfelt thank you to those donors who have made gifts or commitments to the ‘Transforming Lives Campaign’.  It’s the most ambitious campaign in our more than 65-year history, and I’m confident we’ll achieve our goal.”

Two awards were announced at the Gala, the Sister Jeannette Murray Award and the Sister Mary Agnes Heart of Benedictine Award.

The Sister Jeannette Award is given to a staff member nominated by their peers and is considered a high honor.  Casey Townsend is the 2025 recipient of the Sister Jeannette Award. Casey has been a dedicated employee for 21 years in the Adult Services program, and truly exemplifies Benedictine’s mission and values in the way she displays compassion and caring for the people supported, and also for the staff with whom she works.

The Heart of Benedictine Award embodies the love and care everyone involved with Benedictine gives to the children and adults they support.  This award recognizes outstanding and dedicated service to the Benedictine Community. It serves to remind us of our core values of Dignity, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.  Angel Russell is the 2025 recipient of the Heart of Benedictine Award.  Angel is the Environmental Services Director and has been with the organization for 21 years.

Guests of the Gala enjoyed cuisine from Hambleton House catering and music by Steve Moody’s Entertainment Connection.

Sponsors included many Benedictine family members & friends, as well as: Acrisure, The Nolan Investment Group RBC Easton, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel, Greystone/Morgan Stanley, 4 Dogs Brewing Co. and Pub, PepUp, Kleppinger Electric, Higgins Crab House North, Queenstown Bank, Mullen Sondberg, Wimbish, & Stone, and Easton Utilities.

For more information on Benedictine’s events, services, ways to support, or the “Transforming Lives Campaign,” please contact Caroline Bauerle, Chief Advancement Officer at [email protected] or call 410.634.2292.  Visit Benedictine at www.benschool.org

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About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit service provider whose mission is to support children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine currently supports close to 200 children and adults.

The year-round educational program is one of only 22 nationwide to earn a four-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21 who come from Maryland and surrounding states. Benedictine also has 4 student group homes located in Caroline and Talbot Counties. 

Benedictine’s Adult Services program offers Meaningful Day and job training services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, who live in the community, and in 18 Benedictine adult group homes in Caroline, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties. 

Benedictine’s Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it supports to enter the workforce. Benedictine also collaborates with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to provide training programs and job search services for students in area schools and adults living in the surrounding community. 

Benedictine serves individuals from all over the state and the Mid-Atlantic region and is one of the Eastern Shore’s largest nonprofit employers with close to 400 employees. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, is holding a town hall on the proposed budget for next year.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at the Kent County Public Schools Administrative Building in Rock Hall.

Dr. McComas will give a presentation on the budget proposal currently being reviewed by the Kent County Board of Education and will listen to comments and answer questions from attendees.

There will also be a virtual option. Those who would like to attend virtually and participate in the discussion are asked to RSVP online at https://tinyurl.com/mr4d7ffz.

Those who RSVP will be emailed a Google Meet link the day of the town hall.

The meeting also will be livestreamed on the Kent County Public Schools YouTube channel. Go to https://www.youtube.com/@kentcountypublicschools8455/streams.

The comments section will be open for viewers to post questions live.

The Board of Education is expected to vote on the budget at a meeting on Monday, May 5. That meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Kent County Public Schools Administrative Building.

The budget will take effect July 1.

The Kent County Public Schools Administrative Building is located at 5608 Boundary Ave., Rock Hall.

For more information on the proposed budget, visit https://tinyurl.com/3r5m6mby.

A federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools by threatening to withhold federal funding from those that refuse to comply.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Baltimore wrote Thursday that the court isn’t required to assess whether policies from the department “are good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair.”

But the court “is constitutionally required to closely scrutinize whether the government went about creating and implementing them in the manner the law requires. The government did not,” the judge wrote.

“The Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) claim, have demonstrated that they will be irreparably harmed absent preliminary relief, and have shown the equities and public interest favor them,” she wrote in a 48-page ruling.

While Gallagher focused on the process behind the policy, another federal judge blocked the attempted DEI ban based on the effects the policy would have if it was allowed to take effect.

U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty in New Hampshire said in her 82-page ruling Thursday that a preliminary injunction was proper because the plaintiffs had shown they were likely to win on their claims that the policy is unconstitutionally vague, that it infringed on teachers’ First Amendment rights, that it would cause actual harm and that it overstepped the federal agency’s authority, among other claims.

And yet another judge, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in the District of Columbia, ruled from the bench Thursday that the government could not enforce its demand that schools certify by April 24 that they were in compliance with the anti-DEI rule because the policy was so vague that schools could not know if they were in compliance or not. Threatening the loss of federal funding “without sufficiently defining the conduct that might trigger liability, violates the Fifth Amendment’s prohibition on vagueness,” Friedrich said in a brief 16-page ruling.

The rulings by Friedrich and Gallagher — both of whom were appointed by President Donald Trump (R) in his first term — are effective nationwide. The preliminary injunction by McCafferty, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama (D), is nationwide as well, but only in effect at schools where plaintiffs in her case — the National Education Association, its New Hampshire chapter, and the Center for Black Educator Development — are represented.

Since being sworn in to his second term in January, Trump has pushed for the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies in federal agencies, colleges and universities and K-12 schools.

The lawsuits stem from a Feb. 14 “Dear Colleague letter” from the Education Department to schools across the country that reminded K-12 schools, colleges and universities that if they do not comply with civil rights law “face potential loss of federal funding.”

But the letter, and supporting documentation, went on to declare that DEI programs violate the law as just another form of racial discrimination, using terms like “pervasive and repugnant,” “toxic,” and “insidious” instruction that use “crude racial stereotypes” to divide students.

That was followed by an April 3 letter to state education agencies given 10 days — later extended to April 24 — to certify their compliance with federal DEI ban in order to continue receiving federal assistance.

The letter was quickly challenged. In addition to the New Hampshire plaintiffs, the NAACP filed suit in Washington, D.C., and the American Federation of Teachers, its Maryland chapter and the American Sociological Association – later joined by a school district in Eugene, Oregon — sued in Maryland.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education did not respond to emails Thursday seeking comment on the multiple court rulings. But education advocates were elated.

“Today’s decision from the court affirms what we already know – the Trump administration is unlawfully threatening educators who meet the diverse needs of every student and undermining our public education system,” AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell said in a statement. “This preliminary injunction pauses the chaos caused by targeting and attacking vital communities and temporarily protects the critical funding schools, from our K-12 schools to our higher education institutions, rely on.”

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement that, “Our fight is far from over, but today’s decision is a victory for Black and Brown students across the country, whose right to an equal education has been directly threatened by this Administration’s corrosive actions and misinterpretations of civil rights law.”

“We look forward to prevailing against their cruel attempts to undermine the mission of the U.S. Department of Education and relegate children of color, students with disabilities, and poor students to a second-class education in a throwback to the era before Brown v. Board of Education,” he said of the 1954 Supreme Court ruling the ended the “separate but equal” doctrine that allowed for segregated schools.

‘Reaffirming its commitment’

While the court challenges were pending, Maryland school officials were working on their own response to the DEI certification letter that had been due to federal officials by Thursday.

According to a letter from State Superintendent Carey Wright, the state will continue to affirm its commitment to upholding civil rights laws. In doing that, all 24 school system superintendents signed a certification of compliance letter that was sent via email to the federal department’s Office of Civil Rights.

Wright also mentions the New Hampshire case, in which the plaintiffs had reached a short-term agreement with the department to delay implementation of the certification, which was extended Thursday by McCafferty’s ruling.

“While MSDE [Maryland State Department of Education] is unaware of any legal authority obligating it to comply with USDE’s request, MSDE is reaffirming its commitment to complying with Title VI and other relevant federal laws,” Wright wrote.

Wright and state Board of Education President Joshua Michael issued a joint statement in a video for stakeholders.

“Above all, our charge remains to ensure that all students have equal access to a high-quality education — all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, neighborhood, disability, socioeconomic status, or the language spoken at home, Michael said. “Not only is this our moral calling, but Maryland law gives us this charge.”

As for the case in Maryland, Gallagher did reject the plaintiffs’ request to require that the Trump administration restore DEI and civil rights guidance from previous administrations on its website. She also ruled the current department can maintain an online portal titled “End DEI,” through which community members can report instances of discrimination.

“The government is entitled to express its viewpoint on its website and to maintain a reporting portal for Title VI and Equal Protection concerns, so long as it does not actually pursue enforcement actions that are not in accordance with existing law,” the judge wrote.

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by William J. Ford, Maryland Matters
April 24, 2025

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected].