Charles Co. Three CCPS seniors share CRD Student of the Year honor

Each year in April, Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) hosts an employer-employee breakfast to honor students in the Career Research and Development (CRD) program. This year’s breakfast was held April 4 at Middleton Hall in Waldorf. Invited are juniors and seniors enrolled in CRD, a program that provides them with work experience and on-the-job training related to their career goals. Employers also attend the breakfast to highlight their student employees.

The goal of the breakfast is to recognize businesses and organizations for their commitment to helping students achieve success toward their future. Additionally, all CRD students are recognized for balancing their academics with work experience, and a Student of the Year award recipient is announced.

This year, CCPS staff and the CRD Advisory Committee charged with selecting one Student of the Year honoree conducted interviews and determined that three CRD students were worthy of the award. For the first time, three CCPS seniors share the title of CRD Student of the Year. They are Jordyn Boyd of Maurice J. McDonough High School; Kimberly Garay of Henry E. Lackey High School; and Amaiya Holman of Thomas Stone High School.

Boyd works at Chick-fil-A in La Plata and plans to study marketing after she graduates. Her CRD coordinator, Colleen Bonnell, said Boyd is an example of a hard working student who balances academics with community support. “She has an exemplary work ethic and is a role model student. She struggled with her grades as a freshman but put in the work to do better. Her time management skills are amazing and so is her support for the community. From toy drives to the Project Prom dress drive, she is always working to help others,” Bonnell said.

As a Student of the Year honoree, Boyd received a $1,500 scholarship for use toward career certification programs, college tuition, books or other job training programs.

Garay works at a hair salon called Estillo Latino and plans to attend college after she graduates in June. Lackey CRD coordinator Timothy McGlenn said Garay is a passionate student. “Kim has the ability to have an excellent rapport with everyone. She is genuinely interested in helping others. She is exceptionally responsible and works well with others,” McGlenn said.

As a Student of the Year honoree, Garay received a $1,000 scholarship.

Holman works at Chick-fil-A in Brandywine and plans to attend college and study information technology. Her CRD instructor, Kimberly Black, said Holman is an exceptional student. “Amaiya is a strong student and role model for her peers. She has excellent communication skills,” Black said.

Holman also received a $1,500 scholarship.

Student nominees are selected by their program coordinators. Nominees then complete an interview process in which one student is generally chosen for the honor. This year, the CRD Advisory Committee chose all three finalists for the honor. “All three students are exceptional and did well in the interview. We could not choose just one,” Carrie Akins, CCPS instructional specialist for career and technology education, said.

About CCPS


Charles County Public Schools provides 27,108 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 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 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.

[ This article originally appeared here ]
 
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