Several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students recently competed in the Maryland History Day competition at the University of Maryland, College Park after placing at the local event. Three students from Charles County received special awards for their project entries.
Marcellus White, an eighth grader at Piccowaxen Middle School, received the Eugene J. Becker Award for Excellence in Cybersecurity and Cryptology for his project, “1956 Dartmouth Conference: A Pivotal Turning Point in the History of Artificial Intelligence.” White advanced to the state event after earning first place in the junior historical paper category at the Charles County event.
Madisyn (Olyvia) Felix, an eighth-grade student at St. Mary’s School Bryantown, received the Excellence in White House History for her project, “Silent Sentinels: The Turning Point for Women’s Sufferage.” Felix advanced to the state competition after earning second place in the junior individual website category at the Charles County event.
Liam Carsia, a seventh grader at Milton M. Somers Middle School, received the Award for Excellence in United States Military History for his project, “Operation Desert Storm: How 100 Hours Unfolded into the Start of a 20 Year War.” Carsia advanced to the state competition after earning second place in the junior individual documentary category at the Charles County event.
Theodore G. Davis Middle School social studies teacher Sydney Houdeshell was honored as the 2024 History Day Teacher of the Year. Houdeshell has worked with CCPS for only a short time starting her career in 2022. She is completing her second year as a seventh-grade world cultures and geography teacher at the school. Her passion for watching them grow and progress motivates her to show up for her students every day. “There is nothing better than knowing you’re instilling knowledge every day and sending the students off to their next chapter ready and confident,” she said. At Davis, she also tutors social studies students in the grade recovery program and is the History Day coordinator.
More information about History Day is posted at https://www.mdhumanities.org/programs/maryland-history-day/.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).