Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced that the application process for nominations to the U.S. Service Academies is now open for students hoping to join the Class of 2030. Congressman Harris will consider qualified applicants from Maryland’s First Congressional District for nomination to the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy.

Each year, Congressman Harris nominates exceptional students to the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy. While the Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination, Congressman Harris may recommend qualified applicants.

 Applicants are evaluated on academics, SAT/ACT test scores, physical aptitude, extracurriculars, and a panel interview. The deadline to apply for a nomination is October 31, 2025. Interviews will be conducted in the fall, and the Service Academies will receive Congressman Harris’ official nominations by December 31, 2025.

Interested in the economics of land development or the state of our rivers? Curious to explore new hobbies, enrich your knowledge, or stay active in a vibrant learning community? The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) invites you to attend its Fall 2025 Course Showcase on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) at the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center (410 Kidwell Avenue, Centreville, MD). This free event will highlight over 40 engaging classes tailored for lifelong learners aged 50 and over.

Fall 2025 Courses

IAL courses are designed to stimulate curiosity, foster personal growth, and encourage active lifestyles. Highlights include:

• History & Current Events: Delve into the constitution and current events & social issues. Take a trip to Kent Island Heritage Society Sites.
• Science & Environment: Learn about the future of artificial intelligence, time & space, and “Understanding Land Use and Local Development”.
• Brain, Body, & Soul: Enjoy beginner Tai Chi, brain games, “Sleep and Performance” and “Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL)”.
• Arts & Creativity: Engage in culinary and craft classes, “ABC’s of Meditation”, and literary explorations in “Book Club for Both Men and Women”.

To learn more about IAL and the full lineup of courses, visit our website at www.instituteforadultlearning.org. Course details are available on the website beginning July 15, 2025. This is your opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, take part in intellectually stimulating discussions, and stay active—all in a welcoming, social environment.

Fall 2025 Semester Detail

• Dates: September 3 – December 3, 2025
• Schedule: Daytime classes, Monday through Friday – most classes range from one to eight 90-minute sessions
• Format: Courses range from single-day sessions to multi-week series
• Membership: $90 per semester includes unlimited courses throughout the semester and access to field trips and special events. IAL also hosts monthly happy hours open to the public.
• Registration: Online registration for classes begins at 9:00 a.m. on the day after the Showcase. 

What Our Members Say

“IAL classes and activities offer a large range of interests led by an amazing group of knowledgeable presenters. You can be exposed to subjects that stretch and enrich your brain and share social time with an interesting group of people. Participating in IAL activities widens your horizons.”

— Sandy Hartmann, Church Hill, MD 

Kent County Middle School teacher Cheryl Fracassi was among the top educators recognized recently at a Maryland State Board of Education meeting for their accomplishments.

This spring, Fracassi was named the Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Her trip to the board meeting in Baltimore Thursday, May 29 was celebration of the Teachers of the Year from all 24 school systems.

“As a teacher, I always strive to be the best I can be, and it was truly an honor to be recognized for my efforts by the Maryland State Board of Education,” Fracassi said.

Dr. Joshua Michael, president of the Maryland State Board of Education and a former middle school math teacher in Baltimore, welcomed the 24 teachers of the year to the meeting.

“We know from the research that having an excellent teacher can have a two- to three-times impact on improving student achievement,” Dr. Michael said. “Today, we have the great privilege of recognizing 24 of Maryland’s leading educators, reminding us of what’s possible when dedication meets purpose and when high expectations are matched with deep care.”

Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright said the educators represent every grade level and core subject areas and “an array of programs that reflect the world-class education delivered each day in all 24 Maryland school systems.”

“Our Teachers of the Year work unselfishly, giving the best of themselves to the children and youth in classrooms across our great state,” Dr. Wright said. “On behalf of our nearly 892,000 students statewide, I am both grateful and honored to express my deepest appreciation for all that you do.”

Kent County Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas and Director of Human Resources Dan Hushion were on hand at the state board meeting to cheer on Fracassi.

“We are so proud of Mrs. Fracassi and all she does for our students in Kent County,” Hushion said. “She consistently demonstrates leadership and her passion for education through her role as an educator in Kent County Public Schools and her work with the Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s summer learning program.”

As part of the annual Teacher of the Year program, Fracassi will be vying with her fellow award winners from throughout the state to see who will be named the 2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year.

“It was humbling and exciting to meet the other Teacher of the Year candidates,” Fracassi said. “I look forward to what is in store for us in the upcoming school year.”

Kent County Middle School is sending off 116 students to the high school this fall.

The middle school celebrated the promotion of those eight-graders with a ceremony in the gym attended by family, friends and community members Wednesday morning, June 11.

Principal Mark Buckel said the ceremony celebrates the hard work and determination of the eighth-graders as they take their next step.

“It is my honor to share this special occasion with the students, families and the faculty,” he said.

For Assistant Principal Kelley Melvin, the eighth-grade class holds extra significance. The class includes her last students as a third-grade teacher, before the pandemic closed schools and she moved into administrative roles.

She said she is extremely grateful that she was able to be with the students again during their last two years of middle school and to watch them grow into fine young men and women.

“Today I stand here with a heart full of pride and love,” Melvin said.

A number of students addressed their classmates during the ceremony.

Sophia Espinosa Westcott said she was honored to celebrate the occasion with her classmates. She thanked the families, friends, middle school faculty and Kent County Public Schools team for their support.

“Today isn’t just about finishing middle school,” she said. “It’s about recognizing how far we’ve come, appreciating those who have helped us along the way and looking forward to the exciting future ahead.”

In giving the National Junior Honor Society address, Jacob Stumpf talked about how the program changed him, giving him the courage be a public speaker and teaching him what it is to be a leader.

“Leadership, I once thought, was about being the loudest in the room and being bossy,” Stumpf said. “I’ve learned that leadership is more about taking other’s ideas and making them better and collaborating.”

Stumpf also introduced the keynote student speakers, Anthony Bruce and Karmen Brown.

“When we first walked through the doors of the middle school, many of us felt a mix of nerves and excitement, unsure of what the next few years would bring,” Bruce said. “But throughout the journey, we’ve grown in ways we never expected.”

He talked about tackling challenging assignments, enjoying new experiences, making memories and learning lessons not found in any textbook.

“These lessons will stay with us far beyond the walls of middle school,” Bruce said.

Brown said they will look back on the experience with gratitude.

“Middle school wasn’t always easy,” she said. “But we discovered our strength, our voice and even a little bit of who want to be.”

She said they will carry into high school lessons they learned: the importance of kindness, the value of hard work and the power of believing in themselves and one another.

Brown said the ceremony marks the beginning of something entirely new, but going into it, the students know they are capable of amazing things.

As part of the ceremony, teachers took the stage to hand out awards to students who made a mark on their classes and the school.

Buckel and Melvin presented the middle school’s signature recognitions: the Blue and Gold Award and the Trojan Award.

The Blue and Gold Award was presented to Layla Blake and Isaiah Harris for having consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and citizenship.

“This award is given to students who lead by example, show respect and kindness to others and contribute positively to the school community,” Buckel said. “Their dedication, character and willingness to make a difference have left a lasting impression on our school.”

The Trojan Award was given to Karina Mendoza Morales, Alijah Floyd and Finn Dierker for having shown the most growth and improvement.

“Their progress is a reflection of the strength, commitment and belief in themselves — and it has not gone unnoticed,” Melvin said. “We are so proud of their journey and all that lies ahead.”

Following the awards presentation, the eighth-graders were called to the stage one by one to receive a certificate and take a photo with Buckel and Melvin.

In closing the promotion ceremony, Buckel encouraged the students to thrive in the community, to give back in ways large and small and to make a difference.

He said they are the next generation of leaders and that they will meet people who shape them and they will, in turn, shape others.

“Be someone that others look up to. Perform small acts of kindness, generosity and respect. They will always be remembered and appreciated,” Buckel told the students.

He said he was incredibly proud of all of them and he looks forward to following their journey through Kent County High School. He said he will be there cheering them on at graduation in four years.

“Thank you for the joy, the energy and the connection you’ve brought to our school,” Buckel told the promoted eighth-graders.

Lead photo: Kent County Middle School Principal Mark Buckel and Assistant Principal Kelley Melvin congratulate student Bailey Bortz, who received an award for her performance in English Language Arts class from teacher Theodosia Parker, at podium.

 

The superintendent of Kent County Public Schools received a welcome surprise at the end of the county’s annual budget hearing earlier this month.

Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas was on hand for the Kent County Commissioners hearing Tuesday, June 3 to thank them for their support of the school system.

After closing the public hearing portion of the meeting, the commissioners in turn thanked Dr. McComas and presented her with a special citation.

“Be it known in recognition of your outstanding service as the Kent County Public Schools superintendent, and in honor of the leadership and dedication you have demonstrated for the benefit of the students and citizens, and as an expression of our gratitude and great respect for your invaluable contribution to our public school system, we are pleased to confer upon you this Commissioners Citation,” President Ron Fithian read from the certificate.

Dr. McComas is winding down her first year as superintendent here, having started on the job last July 1.

The school system budget is part of the larger county budget, and Fithian spoke about the financial challenges McComas faced this year. He thanked Dr. McComas for working with the county in preparing next year’s budget, which takes effect this July 1.

“We really appreciate you being such a team player for Kent County,” Fithian told Dr. McComas. “And we think that our students are in good hands.”

 

 

 

The Kent County Commissioners present Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas with a special citation Tuesday, June 3. From left are Commissioner Albert Nickerson, President Ron Fithian, Dr. McComas and Commissioner John F. Pric

 

 

The Gunston School celebrated its 114th commencement this past Saturday, June 7, honoring the Class of 2025 with a waterfront ceremony overlooking the Corsica River, as family and friends looked on. Despite the rain, the procession began on time with Bagpiper Andrew Jaecks, followed by school faculty and staff, and then graduating seniors. This year’s 62 members of the senior class were accepted to 149 colleges and universities, earning nearly $12 million dollars in merit scholarships.

Head of School John Lewis introduced the commencement speaker, Director of ShoreRivers, Isabel Hardesty, who works to protect Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-backed advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. She had this advice for the graduates: “You all are entering a really exciting and energizing time of your lives, where you have so many new opportunities to experience and new people to meet. So for the next 2-4 years, say yes. Do stuff that scares you. Go outside and move your body. Character and attitude matter more than hard skills. I look forward to seeing your confident, driven, risk-taking, problem-solving, happy, well-rounded selves in my applicant pool when you graduate college. Good luck!” she said.

Mr. Lewis and Gunston’s Chair of the Board Joe Janney, P’21 then presented each graduate with their diploma, individually handcrafted by faculty member Michael Kaylor on an antique letterpress. This year’s valedictorian honor (also called the Samuel A. Middleton Award after one of the school’s founders) was bestowed upon Brayden Hamm of Smyrna, Del., the day prior at the school’s Green & White Awards Ceremony.

“It goes without saying that this student’s academic record is exceptional, having earned a perfect grade 4.0 point average across perhaps the most rigorous course load ever taken at Gunston, including 12 AP courses ranging from Computer Science, to Spanish, to English Literature, to several histories,” said Mr. Lewis. “Without question, we expect to learn in July that he will earn a National AP Scholar distinction. He is also a person of exceptional attitude and character. Outside of the classroom, he is the beating heart of the Math Club and the Rowing Team, and he has volunteered his time in activities ranging from Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s to the Delaware Aerospace Academy. As you will hear in his speech, he is a deeply intellectual, philosophical, studious, kind, and ethical person.”

Hamm had this parting wisdom for classmates: “We are comprised of talented designers and engineers, of dedicated environmental advocates, of prospective medical practitioners, of creative writers and essayists, of stunning artists, of gifted musicians, of skillful athletes, of distinguished coders, and of incredibly knowledgeable trivia junkies – all just to name a few. We have spent countless hours of hardship in charting our way forward with commendable course rigor, while also finding sufficient time to enjoy the company of one another and keep our experience tangible and enjoyable. But, of course, not much of this would have ever been possible if it weren’t for the greater community at Gunston.”

Presented by Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, the prestigious Gunston Award, which began in 1969, is unique in that it’s chosen by the vote of the entire school community, including students, faculty and staff and is given to the senior who embodies Gunston’s core values on a daily basis. This award was given to Mia Walker (Easton, Md.). “Their actions reflect a genuine commitment to connection and have helped build lasting relationships that strengthen the fabric of our school. Being chosen by a vote of the entire community affirms this student’s lived example of true camaraderie,” said Mrs. Grabis.

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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.

Local school systems straining to comply with the state’s sweeping Blueprint for Maryland’s Future have had to report to both the Maryland Department of Education and the Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board, a setup creating confusion “since the get-go.”

Now, more than three years into the process, the two agencies said they are working on a memorandum of understanding that could make things a bit smoother for all concerned.

Alex Reese, chief of staff with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), did not tell the state Board of Education on Thursday how long it would take to finalize an agreement, but he said a memorandum is in the works.

State law requires the seven-member AIB to oversee the 10-year plan and approve any Blueprint documents submitted by the state’s 24 school systems and other state agencies that craft elements of the Blueprint.

The law also requires the department to provide technical assistance and lend expertise on education policy. The AIB and state Board of Education also hold occasional joint meetings and approve certain policies associated with the multibillion-dollar Blueprint plan.

Reese said “MSDE will be fully owning Blueprint implementation. We feel good about that as practitioners. We really do feel like we possess that expertise to be able to be poised to fully implement the Blueprint.”

An AIB spokesperson confirmed in an email Thursday evening an agreement is being worked on with the department.

“AIB and MSDE attorneys are working together on an MOU [memorandum of understanding] relating to the agencies’ respective roles and duties,” the spokesperson said.

“There is not currently a timeline confirmed for finalizing it. Because it is an MOU directly between the AIB and MSDE, there would be no need for General Assembly approval,” the email said.

In a quick summation to the state board Thursday, Reese said certain processes will remain the same such as the Blueprint board providing instructions to school systems on what is required in each Blueprint plan. It will continue “interagency collaboration” with agencies such as the state Higher Education Commission, which focuses on two of the Blueprint’s five pillars, or priorities – hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, and preparing students for college and technical careers.

The news was welcomed by school leaders, educators and advocates who have expressed frustration over the process of implementing the comprehensive education reform plan.

“One of the biggest complaints, if not the biggest, has been the lack of clarity and final guidance and where we get questions answered. We’ve got to run every decision by both entities [MSDE and AIB],” said Mary Pat Fannon, executive director of the Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland.

The association released a 12-page document in December that outlined proposals to help improve the plan. One of those recommendations was clearing up the relationship between the two agencies.

“Restructuring and clarifying the relationship of the MSDE and AIB would be very beneficial in the implementation of the Blueprint. This change would clarify roles and responsibilities, and establish clear guidance to the LEAs [local education agencies, or school systems] that they are governed by the procedures and processes promulgated by the MSDE and the State Board,” the December report said.

“Somebody’s got to be the point. Somebody’s got to be the team captain on certain things,” Fannon said.  “Otherwise, it’s just completely frustrating.”

“We are happy they are doing this. This is all going to help in implementation when these guys are 100% clear with us,” Fannon said of the work on an MOU.

Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore) was also pleased by the discussions, which she said would help improve the process at the local and state levels. But the senator hopes an agreement can be reached before the 2025-26 school year begins in the fall.

“I would like to think they would make every effort to use the time between now and [when] school starts to give as much clarity to the roles and responsibilities, since it will only have a positive impact at the local level,” Carozza said. “That would be my expectation to keep that on track and to keep it moving.”

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by William J. Ford, Maryland Matters
May 30, 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].

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Shipyard is the place to be this summer with a variety of hands-on workshops on tap to share traditional skills.

Whether you’re looking to learn something new or grow your experience in the workshop, CBMM’s Apprentice for a Day Program can help with upcoming offerings that highlight marlinspike seamanship, woodworking, half-hull modeling, leatherworking, and decoy carving.

These limited-capacity programs are led by Shipyard staff and experienced guest instructors and offer discounted pricing for CBMM members. To register and get more information about Apprentice for a Day programming, visit cbmm.org/AFAD.

Participant scholarships are available for these workshops through CBMM’s Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council. Email Vessel Conservation Manager Sam Hilgartner at [email protected] for more information on scholarship opportunities.

“We’ve worked to put together a diverse schedule of programs that are equal parts challenging, approachable, useful, and fun,” Hilgartner said. “We look forward to a busy and productive summer in our Education Workshop, sharing these programs with our community. If you’ve been considering signing up for your first AFAD workshop, it is a great time to pick a program and join us.”

Up first, Hilgartner will lead an advanced marlinspike seamanship course on the weekend of June 6-8. Participants will construct a wood-bottom, canvas ditty bag, a project requires a range of skills in canvas and rope work that make it an excellent test of competence in marlinspike seamanship and sailmaking.

This class is perfect for those who have attended CBMM’s introductory marlinspike seamanship course, yet accessible enough for beginner students who are up for a challenge. All tools and materials are provided in the cost of registration, which is $300 with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

Jenn Kuhn, CBMM’s former Shipyard Education Programs Manager, will lead a pair of women’s wood-working workshops this summer. In the introductory course on June 28-29, participants will construct a custom mallet while learning how to make a cut list, buy lumber, measure lengths and angles, and safely use a variety of hand and power tools. The cost is $300, with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

The advanced course, held across two weekends in late August, will expand on these workshop skills as participants build their own Adirondack chair. The cost is $650, with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

Coming on July 11-13, the Half-Hull Modeling Workshop, led by Master Shipwright Thom Price, blends artistry, history, and hands-on creation.

For centuries, shipwrights and boatbuilders have relied on half-models to visualize and perfect their designs. During this workshop, participants will carve their own half-hull model of a vessel of their choice. The cost is $600, with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

Led by Hilgartner, the Leatherworking Workshop on July 26-27 is designed to share the basics of leatherworking.

Participants will craft a leather tool sheath for a rigging knife and marlinspike, also known as a rig kit. The tools and skills required to create the sheath are perfect for beginning to build a foundational knowledge in leatherworking. The cost is $200, with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

On Aug. 8-10, CBMM’s Shipyard is proud to present Introduction to Decoy Carving with guest instructor Jeff Coats of Pitboss Waterfowl. Over the three days, participants will carve a contemporary flat bottom, hollow high-density cork body with a northern white cedar head, with the option to choose a black duck, green-winged teal, or canvasback. All supplies and materials are included in the registration fee, which is $450 with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

The Apprentice for a Day Program is also hosting a visit from Roger Barnes, who is President of the Dinghy Cruising Association, author of “The Dinghy Cruising Companion,” and star of a popular YouTube channel highlighting his adventures and vast sailing knowledge.

As part of his first North American tour, Barnes will share a lecture, titled “Escaping the Everyday,” followed by a Q-and-A and book signing, in the Van Lennep Auditorium on Saturday, June 21, at 4pm.

Registration is also open to learn how to trotline for crabs on the Miles River in a historic vessel on from 5-9am on Fridays in August and September.

Early risers will learn the history of crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay, its importance to the culture and economy, how the fishery has defined various traditional vessel forms, and how to bait, set, and work a trotline. It’s a chance to experience sunrise on the Miles River while collecting a day’s catch of crabs to take home. The cost is $60 per day, with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

And, there’s plenty more to explore daily in CBMM’s working Shipyard. Get the latest on all that’s happening in the Shipyard at Coffee & Wood Chips with Hilgartner on the first Friday of each month. This program is free for CBMM members and $10 for non-members. Learn more at cbmm.org/Shipyard.

 

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is excited to invite education personnel from across the Eastern Shore and beyond to celebrate the end of the school year at its third annual Education Professionals Gratitude Day on Friday, June 20, from 10am-2pm.

This is an opportunity for anyone involved in education – teachers, administrators, and support staff – to experience all that CBMM’s waterfront campus has to offer as a thank you for their impact on children in our communities through daily instruction, support, and leadership.

During the celebration, PK-12 education professionals and their families will enjoy free admission, plus a host of special activities designed to highlight CBMM’s mission, educational programming, and community partnerships.

Education Professionals Gratitude Day has quickly become an anticipated event on CBMM’s annual calendar. Last year, more than 50 educators and their families, including guests spanning the state of Maryland and from as far away as Texas and Maine, joined in the fun.

The festivities are open to all PK-12 public, private, and charter school personnel, including teachers, paraprofessionals, school and district administrators, and support staff providing maintenance, transportation, security, clerical, food and other services within schools.

This Your Museum, Your Community recognition initiative is made possible by the generous support of Easton Velocity, Mid-Atlantic Truck & Equipment, PNC Bank, Chaney Enterprises, Preston Automotive Group, PepUp, and Shore United Bank.

“We are excited to continue to grow Education Professionals Gratitude Day,” CBMM’s Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris said. “This is a chance for us to honor a special group of people who make a difference in our communities with a day of fun and celebration while sharing more about the resources available to continue to support the important work that they do. We look forward to reconnecting with friends and making new ones on June 20!”

This edition of Education Professionals Gratitude Day features live music from duo Fresh Squeezed OJ, free frozen treats from Hoots Shaved Iced, a visit from the Phillips Wharf Fishmobile, story time with Talbot County Free Library, Touch a Truck with the St. Michaels Fire Department, giveaways including books from Appleseed Books, face painting and bubble stations, and a host of field trip-favorite, hands-on activities and demos with CBMM staff throughout the day.

In addition, the honored guests receive a 10% discount at the Museum Store and on CBMM memberships and savings on Narrated Historical Cruises aboard PATRIOT that day.

There is no need to RSVP to join in the fun. PK-12 education professionals can simply check in at the Welcome Center and enjoy their visit. For any questions or additional information, contact Ferris at [email protected].

Education has been key to CBMM’s mission across its 60-year history. Last year, the organization hosted more than 3,500 students, teachers, and chaperones for field trips from schools across the county, state, and region.

Talbot County Public School students in third, fifth, and seventh grade learn from CBMM staff through field trips and in-classroom experiences, and CBMM’s Rising Tide after-school program engages local middle school students with the opportunity to learn new skills and work with tools while exploring the history and environment of the Chesapeake region.

For more information on CBMM’s youth education programming, including Homeschool Workshops, Lighthouse Overnight Adventures, CBMM Summer Camp, and more, visit cbmm.org/youtheducation.

The Gunston School is proud to announce the induction of the legendary 2000 Varsity Field Hockey Team into the Gunston’s Athletic Hall of Fame. This exceptional team carved their place in Gunston history with a dominant season, finishing with an impressive 13-3-2 record and clinching both the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference’s (ESIAC) regular season and tournament championships, a first for the newly-reincorporated Gunston Day School at the time. Not only was this their first season in the ESIAC, but it was also the first time Gunston had won a championship of any kind. They’re also the first team to be inducted into the hall of fame.

Under the guidance of Coach Anita Gruss—who also won the ESIAC’s Coach of the Year Award in 2000—the field hockey team not only demonstrated athletic excellence but also set the standard for teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Captains Carrie Fredland ’01 (ESIAC Player of the Year), Rachael Osberger ’01, and Chrissie (Terpeluk) Parker ’01 (ESIAC Tournament MVP) led the team. The team’s success was widely recognized across the conference and region. Seven players earned ESIAC All-Conference honors: Jenny Dey ’03, Carrie Fredland ’01, Rachael Osberger ’01, Shaw Strannahan ’02, Chrissie (Terpeluk) Parker ’01, Summer Veltman ’02, and Laura Williams ’03. Four players—Diana Jeffra ’01, Fletcher Johnson ’01, Strannahan ’02, and Terpeluk Parker ’01—were named to the ESIAC All-Tournament Team. Terpeluk Parker also earned First Team honors on the Star Democrat All Mid-Shore Field Hockey Team, with Strannahan and Osberger named to the Second Team, and Fredland receiving Honorable Mention.

“The biggest part of this team’s success was our three captains, [Fredland, Osberger and (Terpeluk) Parker]. It was like having three assistant coaches, which was a luxury,” said Ms. Gruss. “They helped manage things and they believed in my plan and they supported it and the team one hundred percent.”

The full roster of the Hall of Fame inductees includes: Katie Willis ’01, Elizabeth Miller Walters ’01, Sarah Ross ’02, Katie Scott ’01, Cullen West Raphael ’01, Diana Jeffra ’01, Chrissie (Terpeluk) Parker ’01, Rachel Osberger ’01, Carrie Fredland ’01, Rita Baghdadi ’03, Cristina (Laggini) Mudge ’03, Ora Beth (Mika) Mills ’03, Summer (Veltman) Denise ’02, Katie (Graham) Phillips ’04, Megan (Moore) Dunne ’04, Fletcher Johnson ’01, Laura Williams ’03, Shaw Strannahan ’02, Lauren Breslin ’03, Jenny Dey ’03, and Coach Anita Gruss, who previously served as Gunston’s Director of Athletics for years.