Pomp and circumstance, speeches and struts across the stage highlighted the graduation ceremony for the Kent County High School Class of 2023.

Trojan Stadium was packed with families, friends and faculty Friday morning, June 2, all sitting outside to watch 134 KCHS seniors become KCHS grads.

“We have been high school students for roughly 75,600 minutes,” said valedictorian Nellie Rhodes is her graduation speech. “After today, we will each embark on our own adventures, and I wish all of you the best as you walk your own path.”

The ceremony began at 9:30 a.m. as the KCHS Trojan Marching Band struck up the traditional graduation theme music of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Arin Wilson, a violist from Delaware offered the ceremonial rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Class of 2023 Secretary Brooklyn Marie Usilton served as the hostess of ceremonies, introducing speakers as the ceremony progressed.

Delany Jewell, class vice president, welcomed platform guests including Superintendent of Schools Dr.Karen Couch, the Kent County Board of Education and Kent County Commissioner Albert Nickerson.

In her greeting, KCHS Principal Kris Hemstetter singled out senior after senior in the Class of 2023 for their achievements, including those who had been her students back when she was principal of Worton Elementary School.

“There is a deep sense of accomplishment for students, families, faculty and our community as we reach this day of graduation,” Hemstetter said. “Congratulations, Class of 2023. This is your moment, and you have so many incredible moments that lie ahead for each and every one of you. It is always a great day to be a Trojan.”

Dr. Couch offered the Class of 2023 three suggestions as they follow the path on the journey of their lives: take action, follow their passion and to be open to making mistakes and learning from them.

“On behalf of the Board of Education and the administration, we are truly honored to celebrate all your accomplishments. I am so proud of you,” Dr. Couch told the class.”Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey and most of all for making me smile!”

Classmates Brayden Wallace, Student Government Association president and the student member of the Board of Education, and Alycia Wilson, a Next Generation Scholars Shining Scholar, gave the senior welcome.

Wallace spoke about how the last four years have held some of the most influential and memorable moments of their lives and how each of the seniors’ experiences at KCHS have been unique.

He thanked all those he helped the Class of 2023 along the way, those at the school, at home and in the community.

“All of you have shaped and molded us into the young adults we are today,” Wallace said.

Wilson said it also was important for the members of the Class of 2023 to thank themselves for getting to graduation, having balanced sports, clubs, jobs and academic and life challenges.

“Without your own hard work and determination, you wouldn’t be here this morning ready to accept that diploma and move onto all the amazing things that your future holds,” Wilson said.”So let’s give ourselves a round of applause.”

In her message to seniors, Class President Rachel Heldmyer spoke about the impact Covid-19 had on the class, with schools closing and instruction moving online.

“We missed out on some of the most memorable events of our freshman and sophomore years,” Heldmyer said. “As we were able to overcome the hurdles that we have faced, we were still able to have an unforgettable senior year.”

Salutatorian Samantha Stead spoke about how fast life moves. She told her classmates to live their lives fully, take on challenges, persist and remember they are not alone in their struggles.

“I remember seeing ‘Class of 2023’ back in fifth grade and thinking it was so far away that we had all the time in the world,” Snead said. “Today we finish this chapter of our lives and begin writing the next.”

Jaylin Whye and Maritza Lopez Vasquez introduced keynote graduation speakers Aundra Anderson, coordinator of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education’s Next Generation Scholars program at KCHS, and former English teacher Taylor Hudson.

Anderson and Hudson used a Taylor Swift song as their entrance music and worked multiple callbacks to singer’s lyrics in their speech.

“Today, your graduation is not an ending —not a conclusion — it is a shift. One to catapult you into the next phase in your life — the next paragraph,” Hudson said.

Anderson told members of the Class of 2023 that they have changed since she met some of them back in seventh grade and they will continue to change as their life progresses.

“Keep pushing yourself to grow; don’t become stagnant,” Anderson said. “Go chase your wildest dreams and know you’re never on your own, kids. There’s someone here who has your back, you can always reach out to us.”

Their pair closed in unison by telling the Class of 2023: “This is your era.”

Following the speeches, Dr. Couch formally certified the students’ diplomas. Teacher Melissa Walters announced the graduates and Hemstetter passed members of the Class of 2023 their diplomas.

Board of Education members Joe Goetz and Frank Rhodes were among those parents who were given the opportunity to personally hand their children their diplomas.

KCHS assistant principals Aaron Pretlow and Angeline Rivello were at the base of stage to congratulate students as they made their way back to their seats.

The seniors made the most of their moment in the spotlight. There were big waves to the crowd and students showing off their best strut or dance moves.

With the diplomas passed out, Matthew Wade, class treasurer, led the seniors in the traditional turning of their rings and tassels, marking their new status as KCHS alumni.

And with that, caps went flying through the air, the crowd cheered and the members of the KCHS Class of 2023 congratulated one another on their accomplishment.

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.

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.

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.

Those who come out for the annual garden party at H.H. Garnet Elementary School this Thursday will have an opportunity to see a beautiful and unique butterfly.

The butterfly is actually a large and colorful metal sculpture by artist Constance Swaniker. It was donated to the school from the collection of Eastern Shore residents Peter and Hanna Woike.

Now a permanent installation in front of Garnet, “Butterfly” will be a prominent feature during the Arts in the Garden celebration that starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11.

“Many parents have commented on how much they like the butterfly sculpture — it looks great in front of the school,” said Garnet Principal Brenda Rose.

Last month, Garnet students got to meet Swaniker and learn about her artistic process when the renowned Ghanaian artist paid a visit to the school Friday, April 21.

“It was a great opportunity for our students to be able to meet the artist and ask questions about how she created the sculpture,” Rose said. “They were very interested in knowing what materials she used to create the butterfly.”

Having been led outside to the school’s Good Seeds Garden, where “Butterfly” has been placed, the students were immediately amazed to learn the person standing next to it was its creator.

“How did you make it?” a student was quick to ask.

Swaniker spoke about collecting the pieces comprising the sculpture, which includes bicycle gears in its wings.

She described the process of welding the pieces as “sticking them together with fire” — wowing the students.

“Can you also make stuff out of wood?” a student asked.

Swaniker explained that her prefered medium is metal.

“Other artists work with wood, but I don’t,” she said.

While it was kindergartners and fourth graders who got to meet Swaniker, Garnet art teacher Aimee Boumiea said she plans to share more about the sculpture and create butterfly-themed artwork with all her classes.

“It was such a fantastic opportunity for students to meet an international artist and explore a little about her culture, as well as her artistic process,” Boumiea said.”Constance was very open and did a great job answering their questions, which ultimately led students to reflect on how they can personally experiment with art materials, develop a critical eye and find their own aesthetic.”

Boumiea said experiences like this help students “gather a better understanding of their experiences in the world and improve their critical thinking skills.”

Swaniker also was joined at the school by members of the Chestertown Public Arts Committee and the town’s arts community.

The Chestertown Public Arts Committee has been placing donated sculptures like “Butterfly” from the Woike collection around town.

Another Woike collection sculpture, “Reading Dog” by Jay Lagemann, is just a couple of blocks from Garnet at the Kent County Public Library.

The May 11 Arts in the Garden celebration will feature musical performances by Garnet’s chorus and band, and student artwork will be on display.

There will be food trucks and family activities.

H.H. Garnet Elementary School is located at 320 Calvert St., Chestertown.

Students in Kent County Public Schools will have an opportunity to accelerate their learning with summer programs being offered in July.

Programs include acceleration academies, credit recovery, an algebra bootcamp and a chance to explore Kent County Public Schools’ Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathways.

Each elementary school and the middle school are offering summer acceleration academy programs.

The programs will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, July 10-27 at each respective school.

In addition, the Cub Club returns to H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown July 10-27. The Cub Club is for students entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in the 2023-24 school year.

Kent County High School is offering credit recovery July 5-27. The high school also will be offering an Algebra I Boot Camp for incoming freshmen July 5-20.

Both the credit recovery program and Algebra I Boot Camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Kent County Middle School in Chestertown.

Incoming high school freshmen have an opportunity to spend four days in July learning about the CTE program at Kent County High School.

The CTE discovery program is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 24-27 at Kent County High School in Worton.

Bus transportation is available for the Cub Club, all acceleration academies and the credit recovery program.

Learn more and sign up for any of these summer programs at https://tinyurl.com/2ykz8fhh.

Click here for the form in Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/ze757trf.

H.H. Garnet Elementary School’s annual garden party celebrating the arts returns this month.

The community is invited to Garnet Elementary School from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11 for Arts in the Garden, a free family event.

Come see the newly installed sculpture “The Butterfly” by Constance Swaniker, an artist from Ghana.

The final mural panel by Kent County Parks and Recreation students and artist KaytiDidriksen will be displayed.

Music teacher Jodi Bortz will conduct musical performances by Garnet’s chorus and band.

Art teacher Aimee Boumiea will have students’ artwork on display.

In addition, the school will unveil student-painted garden signs among the plants in the Good Seeds Garden, as well as the fifth grade legacy painted rocks along the pathway.

The Garnet Judy Center Early Learning Hub and Chestertown RiverArtsKidSPOT will have activities for children.

Food trucks will be on hand as well.

Garnet Elementary School is located at 320 Calvert St., Chestertown.

Kent County High School is one of 23 School of Excellence honorees in the nation by the American College Application Campaign.

The announcement came in early April from ACT, a nonprofit organization “helping people achieve education and workplace success.”

According to ACT, the American College Application Campaign seeks to “increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential.”

ACT CEO Janet Godwin, in a news release, spoke about the challenges students face in navigating the college application process.

“The efforts from our American College Application Campaign collaborators and educators are making a substantial difference, helping high schoolers in communities across the country. Their efforts help inspire students to discover and fulfil their full potential,” Godwin said.

Kent County High School was the only school in Maryland to receive the School of Excellence honor from ACT and the northern-most on the East Coast to be recognized.

Both the counseling department and the Next Generation Scholars program at the high school work to help students plan for the future and prepare for college.

“It’s always a great day to be a Trojan,” said Principal Kris Hemstetter of receiving the School of Excellence honor. “Congratulations to the team.”

The high school’s counseling and administrative teams received a plaque, sign and other materials in recognition of the School of Excellence honor Tuesday, April 18.

Dr. Renee Neely of the Maryland State Department of Education paid a visit that morning to present the award.

Neely said more than 100 schools in Maryland participate in the American College Application Campaign. She said Kent County High School was chosen as the best based on the number of students who applied and enrolled in college, as well as the number of applications produced by first-generation college students.

“We’re really appreciative of that at the Maryland State Department of Education,” Neely said, adding that she wanted to bring the award in person in recognition of the school’s hard work. “Thank you for all that you do.”

Learn more about the American College Application Campaign at equityinlearning.act.org/acac.

Registration opens in April for Kent County Public Schools’ pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs.

The school system offers full-day pre-K at all three of elementary schools. Pre-K is open to students who will be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1.

To register for the 2023-24 school year, contact your child’s home school to schedule an appointment.

Registration days are:

• Galena Elementary School, Tuesday, April 18; call 410-810-2510 for an appointment.
• Rock Hall Elementary School, Wednesday, April 19; call 410-810-2622.
• H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown, Tuesday, April 25; call 410-778-6890.

Visit www.kent.k12.md.us/EarlyChildhoodEducation.aspx for additional information about school registration or call your elementary school with any questions.