The Board of Education of Charles County on June 21 honored several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) volunteers as part of the 2023 Be the Difference Awards program. During the recognition ceremony held at North Point High School, the Board recognized several award nominees for their contributions to the school system.
The Board first launched the volunteer awards recognition program in 2018 to highlight the contributions those who volunteer in schools make to enhance teaching and learning. School staff can nominate a volunteer in one of five award recognition categories: elementary school parent volunteer, middle school parent volunteer, high school parent volunteer, Charles County business volunteer and community organization volunteer.
From among the nominees, a subcommittee comprised of Board of Education members chose an overall award recipient in their respective category. A total of 20 nomination finalists were named in the 2023 awards program. The overall award recipients chosen this year include the following volunteers.
Maria Real, elementary parent volunteer from Arthur Middleton Elementary School.
Yolanda Penn, high school parent volunteer from Henry E. Lackey High School.
Seun Williams, community organization volunteer and advisor to the Mock Trial team from North Point High School.
Keith Elkins, owner of Charles County business Keith Elkins Karate and volunteer at several CCPS elementary schools.
Real was nominated for her support of the Parent-Teacher organization (PTO) at Middleton, as well as for her support of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) community at the school. She is well known among Middleton staff for her ability to build connections between the school community and school staff. According to her nomination materials, Real is always willing to support the Middleton school community and is a passionate volunteer.
Penn is a longtime member of the Lackey Athletics Booster Association and is the current Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) vice president. She is well known among the Lackey community as a volunteer who is present at community and athletic events, ready to help in any way she is asked. Penn’s commitment to the school community is evident in the hours of time she spends at the school to support events, students and other families. According to her nomination materials, Penn is a dedicated leader who demonstrates a great commitment to the entire school.
Williams is the North Point Mock Trial team’s attorney coach. This school year, he helped lead the team to the state Mock Trial finals. It was the first time in CCPS history for a team to advance to the state Mock Trial finals. Williams spent countless hours mentoring students, sharing his passion for the law, and helping them prepare for Mock Trial events. According to his nomination materials, Williams committed hours of his personal time to provide meaningful help to students, provide expertise and tips, and teach students to love and appreciate the law.
Elkins is a longtime community business volunteer with CCPS. He oversees a HERO program at the elementary school level in which students learn about leadership, respecting themselves and others, communication and teamwork. The HERO, also known as Helping Everyone Respect Others, program is successful at several schools. Elkins was nominated for his work with students at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School. According to his nomination materials, Elkins’ passion to help children achieve and thrive is evident in his interactions with students. Students look forward to participating in the HERO program and are demonstrating skills they are learning from Elkins both in the classroom and at home.
Finalists in the awards program
Elementary School Parent Volunteer
Teresa Shasho Clark, nominated by Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School for her support of the PTO and her role in community relationship building. She has been volunteering at Higdon for more than eight years.
Stephanie Distler, nominated by Berry Elementary School for her support and expansion of the school PTO. Under Distler’s leadership, the PTO grew in membership this year with new members joining monthly.
Ayana Edwards, nominated by Eva Turner Elementary School for volunteering countless hours to support school staff, students and parents.
Lindsay Funkhouser, nominated by Gale-Bailey Elementary School for her support of the PTO and support of all school activities and events.
Nadia Kendall-Diaz, nominated by J.C. Parks Elementary School for her support of the school PTO and serving as a role model for students and staff.
Krystal Magana, nominated by Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School for her support of the school, its activities and events and helping to build relationships in the school community.
Kristina Newton, nominated by Dr. James Craik Elementary School for her support of the school PTO, coordinating events and activities, and helping to build relationships among staff and parents.
Gloria Rosier, nominated by Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School for her support of the school PTO and role in building positive school-community partnerships.
Nadia Trent, nominated by J.P. Ryon Elementary School for the positive impacts she has made on the school community. Trent is well known for her energy and can-do attitude.
Christina Vigorito, nominated by Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School for her work on the school PTO, building community partnerships that benefit students and staff, and inspiring other parents to volunteer.
High School Parent Volunteer
Lawonda Alleyne, nominated by Westlake High School for her support at PTSO president and ensuring Westlake staff feel appreciated and supported. She goes above and beyond to support the school community.
DeLisa Gaines, nominated by North Point High School for her role as the PTSO president and being well known among staff as a volunteer who helps out wherever she can to support the school community.
Community Organization Volunteer
Darrell Bramer, nominated by Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School for mentoring students and coaching the VEX IQ Robotics team.
Melissa Gilpin, nominated by T.C. Martin Elementary School for her support of the school community and for representing Charles County parents as a leader within the Charles County Rise community group.
Kaprece James, nominated by Benjamin Stoddert Middle School for mentoring students through her non-profit organization, Stella’s Girls. Stella’s Girls supports students at several other CCPS schools.
Heather LaBelle, nominated by St. Charles High School for her support of the school’s theatre arts program and performing arts department.
There were no nominations in the middle school parent volunteer category for the 2023 awards program. To learn more about becoming a volunteer with CCPS, visit https://www.ccboe.com/parents/volunteer-information.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 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).