Education - Chestertown Spy

Garden Club Scholarship Award Winner Announced

June 1, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore (GCES) awards an annual merit-based scholarship to a graduating senior who attends school in Talbot County or who is home schooled. The award is given to a senior who expects to major in horticulture, landscape architecture or design, botany, environmental science, agriculture or a related field in college. Outstanding academic achievement along with volunteer or work experience, which shows a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence, are considered.

The scholarship committee received 11 applications this year and, after interviewing 5 outstanding students, is happy to announce that the winner of a $6,000 scholarship is Easton High School graduating senior Allyson Mueller. Allyson was interviewed by four of the scholarship committee members and they were struck by her focus and dedication to studying marine life, especially with concerns in protecting sharks.

According to her former Agriscience teacher, Ernest Burns, “Ally is the consummate student. She settles for nothing but top grades and works tirelessly to achieve them. She posses the entire package of brains, hard work, and character that we all admire.”

Photo: GCES members Lin Clineburg (left) and Maury Schneider were excited to present the $6,000 merit scholarship to Easton High School graduate Allyson Mueller, who will be studying Marine Biology at UNCW in the fall.

Ally will be attending the University of North Carolina, Wilmington in the fall as part of the Marine Biology program. She mentions that growing up on the Eastern Shore in a family involved in agriculture, she has always been interested in the Chesapeake Bay and the environment. Ally hopes to find new and effective ways for the fishing industry to continue their practices while removing the damaging effects on sharks and many marine species. Her end goal is to obtain a master’s degree and work on a research boat tracking shark populations, migration patterns, and behavior.

Allyson has been an intern at Phillips Wharf Environmental Center and will continue to work there this summer as an employee studying the growth of oyster spat in different locations on the Bay, and she will assist in the running of the Fishmobile Program taking the bus to many locations in the area and sharing information about marine life. Ally says, “A big goal of mine is to be able to speak on an episode of Shark Week!”

The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore feels certain that Allyson will achieve all of her goals and is pleased to award this year’s scholarship to her.

For more information or to make a contribution to the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore scholarship fund, write to GCES, P.O. Box 1924, Easton, MD, 21601.

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Sultana Education Foundation Students Gain Unique Wetlands Access Thanks to New Boardwalk

May 28, 2023 by Sultana Projects 2 Comments

Prior to the construction of a 400 LF pile-supported timber boardwalk and low-profile timber pond access platforms built by Stevensville’s Dissen & Juhn Company, accessing the Lawrence Wetlands Preserve in Chestertown, Md., an urban nature center owned and operated by the Sultana Education Foundation (SEF), meant sporting boots and gingerly wading through the environmentally sensitive area.

If visitors weren’t comfortable with this “up close and personal” way of exploring or were in a wheelchair or used a walker, it curtailed the potential to truly experience this unique, non-tidal wetlands education resource.

But all that changed thanks to a recently opened pedestrian boardwalk. For the first time visitors can explore parts of the property previously out of reach. “The boardwalk and platforms enable visitors to completely immerse themselves. This location was largely hidden to most people,” says John Mann, Lawrence Wetlands Preserve Manager.

Aerial view of the 400 LF pile-supported timber boardwalk and low-profile timber pond access platforms built by Stevensville’s Dissen & Juhn Company. Photo supplied by Sultana Education Foundation and Dissen & Juhn Company.

The project entailed furnishing and installing a 400’L x 6’ wide ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) timber boardwalk that elevated wetlands enthusiasts a full 3’ off the water. The boardwalk features a full-length timber handrail and several extra-wide viewing areas, or “teaching nodes”, for student groups to observe the diversity of plants and wildlife that inhabit the area including deer, a variety of small mammals, and birds.

The two 32’L x 6’W pond access platforms, which are accessed from the site’s circular trail network, were constructed close to the pond’s surface to enable close-up observation of aquatic plants, and pond creatures such as fish, frogs, turtles, and insects.

The project positioned perfectly in Dissen & Juhn’s wheelhouse. “Over our 50 year history Dissen & Juhn has had the pleasure of working with a variety of communities and organizations to build infrastructure that continues to impact the area,” says Gil Dissen, President of Dissen & Juhn Company. “These types of projects provide an opportunity for us to be good stewards to the environment we work in. The fact that this project is enabling future generations to explore and learn about non-tidal wetlands and swamps and their important roles is particularly gratifying,” Dissen adds.

“There’s always a fine balance when you build infrastructure in nature, but the construction methods Dissen & Juhn used allowed us to offer the outdoor educational experience in the least obtrusive way possible,” he adds.

Not surprising building the boardwalk required the use of heavy equipment in an environmentally sensitive area. To protect the environmentally sensitive soils and plants, Dissen & Juhn Company constructed a temporary service road of inert ground protection mats. These rigid structures made of engineered plastic keep heavy construction equipment from damaging the ecosystem without imparting contaminants into the soil.

“That was one of the things we were looking for in a contractor,” says Mann. “It was reassuring to go with a firm that has experience in working in critical areas. The project worked out better than we even imagined though. In fact calling the final construction a boardwalk sells it short. The aesthetics and attention to detail are amazing. Dissen & Juhn not only met all our requests, but also exceeded our expectations,” he adds.

For Sultana Education Foundation President and Founder Drew McMullen, it was Dissen & Juhn Company’s creative problem solving skills that made them the best contractor for the project. “Dissen & Juhn did a phenomenal job. The boardwalk and platforms are beautiful and will play a huge role in our ability to get kids and groups to areas we couldn’t take them previously,” says McMullen.

Rock Hall Elementary School third graders explore Pond Ecology 101 from the low-profile timber pond access platform. Photo supplied by Sultana Education Foundation and Dissen & Juhn Company.

“It really took a lot of outside of the box thinking to build what we had envisioned, and they weren’t the least bit intimidated. Dissen & Juhn are not only pros, but also everyone was considerate and very communicative. We couldn’t have hoped for a nicer company to work with,” he adds.

The Sultana Education Foundation team is gearing up for summer programming at their new “living classroom.” The boardwalk and platform construction are part of a larger plan, which includes the construction of the 1,200-square-foot Harwood Nature Center, which is expected to begin this summer. The structure is founded on timber piles installed by Dissen & Juhn.

The Nature Center will feature a multi-purpose space for classroom instruction, lectures, social gatherings, and a variety of other hands-on activities. It will also feature a multi-level, covered outdoor deck with bench seating for outdoor use. The anticipated opening of the Harwood Nature Center is 2024.

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Godfrey’s Farm Blueberry Boogie 5K Walk/Run to Benefit Benedictine

May 28, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Godfrey’s Farm 3^rdannual Blueberry Boogie 5K Walk/Run, to take place on Saturday, June 17^th, will once again benefit Benedictine. Last year’s event raised over $15,000 which included a matching gift from a generous donor that has pledged to match the funds raised again at this year’s race.

“The excitement from last year’s race was amazing!” commented Lisa Godfrey.“Working with Benedictine just feels right, because we can visibly see the impact each dollar raised has right here, locally. Students from Benedictine have been visiting our farm for many years. We love to see the excitement they bring and the kindness of their caregivers. This made our choice to support Benedictine an easy one!”

Last year, a generous Benedictine supporter pledged a matching gift and has once again pledged to match the funds raised in this year’s race. “We have supported Benedictine for many years and thought this was a wonderful way to give and bring recognition to both Benedictine and the partnership with Godfrey’s Farm,” commented Denise Kaczmarczyk.“We are so happy that Benedictine has been selected again as the beneficiary of the race and we look forward to seeing the results!”

Godfrey’s Farm Blueberry Boogie 2022 participates pose with their metals. More than $15,000 was raised and Benedictine has been chosen again this year to be the beneficiary of the event taking place on June 17th.

Festivities at the event will include live music by Red Sammy, an American Folk Rock band, plus Godfrey’s homemade apple cider donuts and blueberry scones at the finish line, prizes and more. All race participants will receive an event shirt.

Registration starts at 8AM. Race begins at 9AM. Rain or Shine. Healthy Kids Run (10 and under) begins at 8:55AM.

Godfrey’s Farm is located in Sudlersville, Maryland. To register, please go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Sudlersville/BlueberryBoogie5KRunWalk. Registration is $30 until June 1^st and then $35 after and on the day of the event. Sign up as a team of 5 or more and get a discount on all the registrations.

For more information about Godfrey’s Farm, please visit www.godfreysfarm.com.

Benedictine is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization helping children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential. For more information on Benedictine and how you can support their mission, please contact Claudia Cunningham, Chief Advancement Officer at 410 634 2292 or Claudia.cunningham@benschool.org.

About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit organization supporting close to 200 children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential and highest level of independence. Benedictine’s year-round educational program is one of only 26 nationwide to earn a two-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’s Adult Services program offers employment and vocational services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, in the community and those who live in Benedictine’s group homes in Caroline, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties. Benedictine’s Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it serves to enter the workforce and collaborates with the collaborates with the Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Caroline and Dorchester County public schools to provide services to their students through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Program. Benedictine is one of the Eastern Shore’s largest employers with over 350 employees. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

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Get Carried Away by ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ at KCMS

May 25, 2023 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Theater students at Kent County Middle School are taking the stage to present “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

Performances are set for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at the middle school.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students. Members of the Class of 2023 can enjoy the show free.

Under the direction of teacher Kaitlyn E. Wright, the students are performing an adaption by playwright Tim Kelly of L. Frank Baum’s classic book.

Follow Dorothy (Noelle Demby) and her dog Toto (Abigail Gallo) after a cyclone carries them to Oz, where they embark on an adventure with the Scarecrow (Rebecca Phillips), the Tin Woodsman (Allee Hall) and the Cowardly Lion (Tanaya Jackson).

They encounter Glinda the Good (Emy Karlik) and the Wicked Witch (Amber Vela Fernandez) as they make their way to meet Oz (Kaylee Owens).

Also joining them on stage are Bryan Mann as Boq, Kris Coe as Munchkin, Julie Dickerson as the China Princess, Lanie Gibb as the Guardian of the Gates, Aiden Ruiz Velazquez and Jaden Gilbert as Winged Monkeys, ZadalynSpittel as Aunt Em, and additional special guests as the Poppies and Fighting Trees.

Kent County Middle School is located at 402 E. Campus Ave., Chestertown. Learn more about the school at www.kent.k12.md.us/KCMS.aspx.

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CBMM’s Rising Tide Program Celebrates St. Michaels Scow Launch

May 25, 2023 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Leave a Comment

With a collective push, a group of middle school students from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Rising Tide after-school program trundled the St. Michaels sailing scow they’ve spent the spring constructing onto the water for the first time on Monday evening.

The 12-foot wooden boat, dubbed Pickle by a consensus vote of the builders, launched into Fogg’s Cove to spirited cheers from the assembled group of family, friends and program supporters.

“It’s fun because you get to see all the stuff that you worked on, and then it’s finally done,” said seventh-grader Sofia Mercado, after taking her turn to get a short ride in the boat. “It’s fun to make something and see it turn out well.”

Monday’s launch event, including an awards presentation and pickle juice toast, was a well-deserved celebration of months of hard work on the project.

Meeting on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, a total of 19 middle school students logged a combined 630 hours toward the project this spring, following Shipwright Apprentice Megan Mitchell’s project plan with support from CBMM education staff and volunteers.

The scow build capped a busy and productive school year for Rising Tide, a free, donor-funded after-school program that has been teaching students in grades 6-9 basic boatbuilding and woodworking skills in a welcoming, relaxed environment since 2015.

“It’s been an incredible experience to see the Rising Tide participants take ownership of this project over the last few months,” CBMM Education Programs Manager Kendall Wallace said. “I hope this project will help to reinforce the ideas that anything is possible if you’re willing to try, and that patience and commitment can result in something to be incredibly proud of.

“I’m constantly inspired by the work they’ve put into this boat, which they can forever point to and say, ‘I built that.’”

Beginning in January, the Rising Tide students contributed to nearly every step in the process to bring the boat to life in the program workshop.

The project started by studying original plans in CBMM’s collection, drafted in 1929 for the Miles River Yacht Club by George Krill, to draw information about the boat’s shape and size and making a building plan for the molds to set the vessel’s structure.

Once construction commenced, the task list included assisting with milling lumber, scarfing planks, and transferring patterns from the lofting to the building stock. They were involved with the gluing up and shaping the mast and boom, crafting and installing all of the components, and painting the vessel, as well.

Each day brought new lessons for the students, ranging from wood species selection to proper use of block planes to the fine art of varnishing. One memorable February afternoon brought a field trip to the newly renovated Norman & Ellen Plummer Center for Museum Collections to examine a sail in the CBMM collection that was originally built for a St. Michaels scow.

The result was Pickle, which sparkled in the evening sun on Monday with its bright-white hull and green trim. It was the first boat built by the program since launching a pair of Chesapeake crab skiffs, Mary and Susan, in 2018.

Eighth-grader Mac Hudson said his favorite parts were learning the history of the boat and using a hand plane to shape it, while his brother Oskar, a sixth grader, liked getting to visit CBMM’s working Shipyard and the teamwork necessary to get the boat completed.

“We all worked together,” Mac Hudson said. “It’s cool that we got to help make it, and now it’s an actual boat that we can take on the water.”

For Mitchell, the build served as a capstone project of sorts in her final year of CBMM’s Shipwright Apprentice Program. She agreed to take on the project in December and quickly found it a mix of fun and challenging.

“We’ve learned a lot from the project about what is necessary to complete a project like this with a build philosophy that the kids are helping in a meaningful way,” Mitchell said. “That’s so important. We want them to be involved. If they’re just occasionally rubbing sandpaper on the boat, that’s not meaningful and that’s not building skills for them.”

Beyond the chance to teach her craft to the next generation, Mitchell found it meaningful to take a step back in time to complete a classic design with a distinctly local history.

True to its name, the scow is a St. Michaels original, serving as the racing class of the Miles River Yacht Club in the 1920s and ’30s. One of the few surviving examples is in CBMM’s collection and will be featured in the new watercraft heritage exhibition in the new Welcome Center.

This is likely the first one to be built in town in decades.

“It has been very a cool project to be a part of,” Mitchell said. “The Chesapeake produces a lot of very strange styles of boat that are easily replaced by mass-produced, more-generalized designs, but sometimes having this specific design for this very specific place is an extremely valuable thing.”

“It’s one of the things I love most about CBMM and its programs. Here, we don’t shy away from that specificity.”

Monday’s launch marked the end of spring programming but certainly not the workshop fun for the students involved. Many of them will take part in CBMM’s Summer Camp in the coming weeks, and Rising Tide will resume in the fall with a new, yet-to-be-determined project to tackle.

Wallace is eager to make sure it’s something that will allow the students to build on the hands-on skills that they’ve practiced this spring and the camaraderie the group developed along the way.

“I don’t want you to forget the less technical skills that we practiced every day,” Wallace told the assembled group Monday. “We worked as a team, we practiced patience and understanding, we faced our mistakes when we made them, and we figured out how to do something that I don’t think any of us had ever done before.”

For more information on CBMM’s Rising Tide program, visit cbmm.org/youtheducation or email risingtide@cbmm.org.

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Ethan Morrison and William Fachet Named Constitution Alliance Scholarship Winners

May 24, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Constitution Alliance Fund has named Ethan Morrison of St. Michaels and William Fachet of Kent Island the recipients of their inaugural scholarship program. Each student received a $1,000 scholarship to be used at the college of their choice.

Fachet is a graduate of Kent Island High School and Morrison is a St. Michaels High School graduate. The students were chosen for leadership and service in the community, exceptional academic performance, and outstanding personal essays on the meaning of the constitution. The Constitution Alliance Fund scholarship program recognizes academic achievement and dedication to the principles of the Constitution and supports future careers in civic leadership.

The Constitution Alliance, in partnership with the Washington College Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture and Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill, works to promote civic engagement through education and a commitment to uphold constitutional values and the founding principles of freedom.

For more information, contact Michelle Ewing at mpewing@hotmail.com, 410-200-5571 or Julie Quick, juliejoquick@gmail.com or 410-924-0904.

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Sultana Inks Partnership with National Park Service’s Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

May 24, 2023 by Sultana Projects Leave a Comment

The Sultana Education Foundation (SEF) announced that it has entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (Trail) to provide students from Maryland’s Eastern Shore with educational programs that connect them with significant regional events from the War of 1812 and the history of the Chesapeake’s waterways. The scope of work for the partnership includes the development of classroom curriculum materials, teacher professional development programs, paddling programs on the Bay’s tidal tributaries, and excursions to several notable sites along the Trail.

Teachers participating in a Sultana Education Foundation Professional Development Program pull a “seine” net to collect specimens on the Sassafras River.

“This program will be a wonderful opportunity for students to discover the hidden historical treasures in their local towns and waterways,” said Brad Hirsh, who is spearheading the partnership for the Sultana Education Foundation. “Through a series of engaging field experiences, students will gain the skills to investigate the rich history found in their own communities.”

“We are excited for this partnership opportunity on the Eastern Shore with the Sultana Education Foundation,” said Superintendent David H. Moore of the Star-Spangled Banner Trail. “This collaboration will provide immersive experiences and educate students on the local history, heritage, and natural environment as it relates to the national Trail story.”

Planning is underway and programming will take place during the 2023-2024 school year.

Teacher’s participating in a Sultana Education Foundation Professional Development Program paddle the Star Spangled National Historic Trail.

Based in Chestertown and serving the entire Chesapeake region, SEF provides hands-on educational opportunities for more than 14,000 students annually that promote stewardship of the Bay’s historic, cultural, and environmental resources. By helping students of all ages develop an appreciation for the Chesapeake Bay, SEF is working to create a community of individuals who are dedicated to preserving this irreplaceable treasure.

The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, established by Congress in 2008, tells the story of the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay region. The trail traces American and British troop movements, introduces visitors to communities affected by the war, and highlights the Chesapeake region’s distinctive landscapes and waterways. It connects historic sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia and commemorates the events leading up to the Battle for Baltimore, the aftermath of which inspired the U.S. national anthem.

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Project Lead the Way Presentations

May 24, 2023 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Engineering combined with the entrepreneurial spirit was on full display when a cohort of Kent County High School presented their projects earlier this month.

The seniors in Project Lead the Way appeared before the Kent County Board of Education Monday, May 8 to show their capstone works.

Tracey Williams, supervisor of student services and secondary education, introduced engineering teacher Brett King to the board. King has been the lead teacher for the program for several years.

“Every year I really look forward to seeing the creativity these students bring to us,” Williams told board members.

In their presentations, the students spoke about an identified problem, the research they conducted and the marketable solution they developed.

Projects ranged from creating a better beach umbrella anchor to upcycling old furniture.

Kent County High School engineering teacher Brett King, left, joins his senior Project Lead the Way students Monday, May 8 for a photo after they showed the Board of Education what they’ve been working on in the program.

Students developed products that would help them with their own interests, like a better storage system for an artist’s paint jars, a more stable hitting tee from baseball practice and improved parts for a classic Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

Some students incorporated computer programing into their projects, like a group that developed a sorting machine for Magic: The Gathering card collections.

Three-D printing was a common method of production for some of the Project Lead the Way teams.

King reminded board and audience members that this cohort of students came up through Covid. He said they have been very enthusiastic about the program and their projects.

“I’ve been very impressed with how they’ve done this year and the projects that they’ve had,” King said.

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Joe Cusimano ’12 Inducted Into Gunston Athletic Hall of Fame

May 20, 2023 by Gunston School Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, May 16, The Gunston School inducted Joe Cusimano ’12 to the Athletic Hall of Fame for his exceptional performances in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse during his time at the school. His long list of accomplishments include being the boys lacrosse record-holder for career scoring with 205 goals and 75 assists. In a single season, he holds the number one record with 79 goals and 23 assists during the 2011 season. In 2010, 2011, and 2012 he was named Gunston’s MVP. During his senior season, he was selected as the Varsity Lacrosse Captain and as the winner of the Bob Scott Award, given to a lacrosse player who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and citizenship.

Cusimano, originally from Centreville, Md., is also known for how he stacked up among other athletes on the Eastern Shore. He made the ESIAC Lacrosse All Conference 1st team twice (2011 and 2012). In 2010, he was a part of the ESIAC All Conference 2nd team. He was awarded ESIAC Player of the Year in 2012. Aside from his work in lacrosse, in 2009, Joe was selected to be the Junior Varsity Basketball Captain. He also was a part of the ESIAC All Conference 1st Team for Soccer in 2009 and 2010. Gunston welcomed former teacher, coach and fellow Gunston Hall-of-Famer Ned Southworth to present the award who described Cusimano’s many accomplishments.

After accepting his award, Cusimano thanked his family, his coach, teammates, teachers, and Gunston’s former Athletic Director Anita Gruss. “Earning this award means a lot to me. I can truly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without Gunston and sports and the people that enjoyed them with me during the four years I was here. Lacrosse and Gunston Athletics gave me a time to shine and […] helped me develop some of the most important skills in life. It allowed me to become a teammate, a leader, a problem solver, and taught me how to succeed and make the most of every opportunity, even when we weren’t always winning. Gunston enabled me to develop the attributes that got me through college at Auburn, my first and second job, and now has been a large contributor to a very successful business that I’ve recently created with my partners. […] It’s an honor to be back here.”

Photo: On Tuesday, May 16, The Gunston School inducted Joe Cusimano ’12 to the Athletic Hall of Fame for his exceptional performances in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Former Gunston teacher, coach and fellow Hall-of-Famer Ned Southworth presented the award. Pictured (l-r) Head of School John Lewis, Ned Southworth, Bobbie Cusimano, Joe Cusimano, Michael Cusimano III, Michael Cusimano Jr., Vince Cusimano, Patrick Gillespie ’09, Former Director of Athletics Anita Gruss, and pictured in front is Maria (Cusimano) Gillespie ’10 and Caroline Gillespie.

After graduating from Gunston, Cusimano went on to play lacrosse at Auburn University where he was named Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Honorable Mention All-Conference Attack, SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) Player of the Year & SELC Rookie of the Year all in 2013. Joe graduated from Auburn University in 2016 and now is a Certified Public Accountant for a Financial Group in the Washington, DC area.

Gunston’s Athletic Hall of Fame was established to honor and recognize those individuals who, through their accomplishments, have brought pride and distinction to Gunston and the community as either an athlete, coach, administrator, or contributor to the success and development of Gunston’s athletic program.

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

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Gunston Seniors Honored in National Merit Scholarship Program

May 20, 2023 by Gunston School Leave a Comment

The Gunston School is pleased to announce that three members of the graduating class of 2023 have earned recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Nicholas (Nick) Abell of Crownsville, Md., and Damian René of Easton, Md., received commendations, an acknowledgement given to students who participate in the program and demonstrate exceptional academic ability, recognizing their outstanding performance.

Additionally, Zacharia (Zach) Mozher of Middletown, Del., was named a National Merit finalist, a prestigious designation that places him among the top 15,000 students in the country, representing less than one percent of high school seniors.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual competition that honors academically gifted students across the United States. It recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and have exhibited remarkable potential for future success.

Pictured (l-r) Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, Damian René, Zach Mozher, Nick Abell and Head of School John Lewis.

Nick is headed to Furman University to study mathematics, Zach is headed to Princeton University to study medicine, and Damian René is headed to Swarthmore College to study computer science and cognitive science.

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