Board of Education recognizes students
The Charles County Board of Education at its Oct. 9 meeting honored four Charles County Public Schools students for accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility. Honored were Cassidy Burch, Simon Dean, Julia Taboga and Evann Yake, according to a news release.
Burch is a senior at Thomas Stone High School and was recognized for her academic achievement. She is an honor roll student and ranks among the top 10 in her class. She is dually enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland and maintains a cumulative GPA of 4.3. When she graduates in June, Burch will have completed 12 honors and six Advanced Placement courses. She is a member of the National Honor Society and served as its secretary for two years. Burch also played field hockey, volunteers at the Charles County Humane Society and works at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center. She plans to attend the University of Maryland to study zoology.
Dean is a fifth-grade student at William A. Diggs Elementary School and was recognized for his academic achievement. He is an honor roll student and participates in several extracurricular activities offered at Diggs. Dean is an active member of the chess club, math team, Destination Imagination and Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA). He takes accelerated courses in both math and reading, and received a near perfect score on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) math exam. Dean also plays the clarinet and is part of a travel soccer team. He plans to be a scientist and wants to study space science and research.
Taboga is a fifth-grade student at J.P. Ryon Elementary School and was recognized for personal responsibility. She demonstrates the school motto daily — doing the right thing at the right time in the right way every day. Taboga is an honor roll student who excels in the classroom, serves as a role model and enjoys helping her classmates. She is also a member of the school chorus, math and MESA teams and designed the cover of the school yearbook for the past two years. She plans to become a pediatrician to continue her passion for helping others.
Yake is an eighth-grade student at General Smallwood Middle School and was recognized for her commitment to career readiness. She is enrolled in several science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and currently has a 4.0 GPA. Her teachers describe her as kind, caring, patient, intelligent and competitive. Yake demonstrates an outstanding work ethic and commitment to all that she does and is a role model for her peers. Outside of school, Yake takes private violin lessons and is a member of a traveling soccer team. She enjoys helping anyone in need and plans to become a pediatrician when she finishes school.
Each month the board recognizes students and staff members nominated by their school principal.