Wicomico County Public Schools and the Wicomico County Board of Education recognized outstanding students, staff members and schools at an Awards & Recognitions Night held on March 12, 2026 in the James M. Bennett High Auditorium. (This Awards & Recognitions Night was rescheduled from the original Feb. 26 date due to inclement weather conditions.)
“We’re excited to come together to celebrate some of the many achievements of our students, staff and schools,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Micah Stauffer said. “While most of you are here to support a student in your family or school who has done something exceptional, you’re also going to enjoy hearing what some of our other fantastic students, staff members and schools have done. Great things happen every day in Wicomico Schools, where our students are learning today so they can lead tomorrow.”
Dr. Stauffer and Board of Education Vice Chairman David Plotts congratulated all of the honorees and joined them for pictures. Photos from the March 12 Awards & Recognitions Night are available to view and download full size: https://wicomicoschools.smugmug.com/Awards-Recognitions-Nights/March-12-2026-Awards-Recognitions-Night
Nominations are now being taken for the May 21 Awards & Recognitions Night. The school system and Board of Education look forward to recognizing even more students, staff members and schools for their achievements this school year.
Honorees from the March 12 Awards & Recognitions Night are listed below. Congratulations to all!
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Student Award
Three Wicomico students earned the Leading Tomorrow Student Award. Each of them truly embodies the spirit of our school system’s tagline, “Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow.”
Brantley Wilkins, Pemberton Elementary
Earlier this school year a situation arose involving several fourth-grade boys after a parent expressed concern that her son was being treated unkindly and taken advantage of by peers. The teacher discussed kindness, empathy, and the importance of including others with all of the students involved, encouraging them to support and take this student under their wing.
Unfortunately, another incident occurred on the bus and the concern was again brought to the school’s attention. Fortunately, Brantley Wilkins was also on the bus that day, and overheard the unkind comments directed at the student. Recognizing that the behavior was wrong, Brantley reported what he heard to his mother and said he planned to sit next to the student on the bus to ensure it did not happen again. True to his word, Brantley took action, demonstrating integrity, empathy, courage and kindness.
Brantley’s actions go beyond what is typically recognized through a school shout-out. He exemplified what it means to be an upstander—not only within the school building but also on the bus, where students often have fewer supports in place. His willingness to stand up for a peer and take responsibility for ensuring another student felt safe and included is commendable.
We hope Brantley’s actions serve as an example to his peers, encouraging them to be brave, speak up, and support others when they witness unkind behavior. Brantley is truly deserving of this Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Student Award.
Olivia Magaha, James M. Bennett High
Olivia is the secretary of her junior class but graciously stepped up and served two roles during the vacancy of historian. She is an integral member of the dance committee and plays a key role in planning many student activities.
She is a valued member of the school community and is always striving to make JMB a better place. She volunteers frequently with JMB Anchors, reads A LOT, and is always friendly, positive and welcoming, whether she is speaking with fellow students, staff or visitors. Olivia is also a star in the classroom, with her teachers sharing that she is always participative, diligent in her work, and respectful of others in all interactions.
Her commitment to serving others, taking on leadership responsibility, and dedicating herself to being the best possible student and representative of her school make her a valued member of her school community every day, and one who truly represents the goal of Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow.
Nicholas “Nick” Davala, Mardela Middle & High
Senior Nick Davala has achieved a remarkable milestone by joining the prestigious Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps of Nashua, New Hampshire. Known as one of the oldest and most decorated corps in Drum Corps International (DCI), the Spartans are part of what many call “Marching Music’s Major Leagues.”
In 2024, Nick, a trombone player by training, took a bold step outside his hometown band experience to audition for the Spartans. With the guidance of current Mardela band director Joey Coco and former director Cory Boltz, Nick learned to play the baritone in just three months and mastered field marching techniques, preparing him for the rigorous demands of drum corps performance. Last summer he was part of the drum corps’ hornline tour that spanned more than 8,000 miles and 15 cities, with the corps performing for thousands and the Spartans capturing their third consecutive DCI Open Class World Championship, capping off what Nick describes as a “summer of a lifetime.”
Nick is now challenging himself by earning a spot with the Phantom Regiment, one of the most respected World Class organizations in Drum Corps International.
His band director, Joey Coco, said this: “I encourage all my band students, from 6th through 12th grade, to emulate Nick’s dedication and practice habits. Whatever path Nick chooses after high school, I am confident he will succeed. He has already proven his ability to achieve excellence through hard work and dedication.”
At school, Nick is a hard-working student who is beloved by his peers and deserves all the recognition for his accomplishments, including All State Band, All Shore Band, All County Band and Towson Honors Band, as well as Superior ratings at State Solo and Ensemble. Nick has truly earned the Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Student Award.
Maryland Council on Economic Education Fall Stock Market Game
Each year the Maryland Council on Economic Education sponsors an online Stock Market Game for teachers and student teams that teaches about the stock markets, the American economic system, and the global economy. Groups of students were given virtual dollars to invest once they had researched and identified stocks they wanted to purchase and trade. It’s not just a game, it’s education for life for the hundreds of Maryland teams from elementary through high school that compete.
Certificates of recognition for this Pemberton Elementary team for finishing in 1st place, Elementary Level in the South Region of the Fall Stock Market Game:
Phoebe Feather
Makenzie Morris
Aranza Porras-Arroyo
Advisor: Brenda Rhoads. Ms. Rhoads also received a certificate of recognition for ranking 2nd among advisors with 5 or more teams in the Fall Stock Market Game.
Certificates of recognition for this Wicomico Middle team for finishing in 1st place, Middle School Level in the South Region of the Fall Stock Market Game:
Alana Castro
Jessa Griffin
Jordan Taylor
Logan Turner
Advisor: Brian Yates
Winners in Prince Street Elementary’s 2026 Amazing Shake Competition
When a school brings students and community members together for real-life learning experiences it’s very special for all involved. One such highly effective event is held each winter by Prince Street Elementary. Prince Street models its Amazing Shake competition on The Amazing Shake created by The Ron Clark Academy, a world-famous school in Atlanta. Scholars are scored on skills such as making eye contact, conversing effectively, greeting others appropriately, solving problems, and projecting confidence and friendliness.
A special thank you to the many community volunteers who took part in the Prince Street Elementary 2026 Amazing Shake competition, and to Prince Street’s Dean of Students (now Assistant Principal) John Wixted for coordinating it.
In Round 1, the school’s entire 5th Grade of close to 100 scholars rotated through two dozen challenge stations. The scholars with the 10 highest scores advanced to Round 2, held at the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center. Adult scorers were stationed at the storefronts of the JA Center, and scholars rotated around the center to interact with each of them.
The top three scorers from that round advanced to Round 3, which was Saturday lunch at the Olive Garden and conversation with Superintendent Dr. Stauffer. At the end of the meal, Dr. Stauffer had the unenviable task of ranking the three outstanding finalists in the 2026 Amazing Shake.
Congratulations to the 2026 Amazing Shake winners:
1st place, Kayla Cropper
2nd place, Emersyn Kissinger
3rd place, Zakayla Young
Vocabulary.com Fall Vocabulary Bowl
Students in the Magnet Program at North Salisbury Elementary enjoyed participating in the Fall Vocabulary Bowl through vocabulary.com. It was a great learning experience, with NSS students mastering 10,369 words. One NSS student placed 12th out of nearly 1 million participating students! He might have even cracked the Top 10, but the school didn’t send home laptops over the Thanksgiving Break.
Congratulations and a certificate of recognition to 3rd-Grade Magnet student Esdras Celestin (North Salisbury) for being among the top vocabulary scholars in the contest with 3,643 words mastered.
Certificate of recognition for NSS Vocabulary Bowl advisor Christine Tawes for her school placing 1st in Maryland in the Fall Vocabulary Bowl.
Coach Dion Johnson’s Hall of Champions at Mardela Middle & High
Dion Johnson retired after a long career as a teacher and a wrestling coach, but at Mardela Middle & High School his legacy lives on. In January, the school held a special ceremony in honor of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach, whose extraordinary leadership and dedication have shaped thousands of students, athletes, and families within the Warrior community. Mardela Middle & High invited students, alumni, families, and community members to join in celebrating Coach Johnson’s legacy and recognizing all he has given to the Warrior family.
The event began in the Mardela Auxiliary Gym, which was then dedicated in Coach Johnson’s honor and renamed “Coach Dion Johnson’s Hall of Champions.” Fittingly, the ceremony led straight into a home wrestling match, because Coach Johnson was all about coaching and supporting students. Coach Johnson’s impact on Mardela extends far beyond the mat. Throughout his distinguished tenure, he inspired excellence, fostered character, and built a legacy of pride that continues to define Warrior athletics.
Principal Liza Hastings had this to say about Coach Johnson: “He is principled, he is steady, and he carries a winning attitude that is far bigger than any scoreboard. Above all, he is an advocate for his students, for his athletes and for this community.”
Certificate of recognition for Dion Johnson in honor of the Mardela auxiliary gym being named Coach Dion Johnson’s Hall of Champions.
Winners in the Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition
Salisbury University’s Mathematics and Computer Science Department’s annual Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition was held on Nov. 20, sponsored by The Klein G. and Mary Lee Leister Foundation and Delmarva Power, an Exelon Company. This 41-year-old competition tested the math and problem-solving skills of students in team and individual events.
Certificates of recognition to the Wicomico students who were winners in the latest Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition:
3rd Place Individual: Peter Jin, James M. Bennett High
3rd Place team, James M. Bennett High: Peter Jin, Peyton Bailey, Jonathan Yamakawa, Barry Flint
Michelle Slatcher, coach
Maryland Agriculture Teachers Association 2025 Outstanding Agriculture Teacher Award & Maryland FFA National FFA Chapter Award
The Horticulture Program at Parkside High Career & Technical Education has two outstanding achievements to celebrate that show just how impressive this program and its students are. Learn even more by visiting the A+ Garden Centre at Parkside CTE to check out the gorgeous flowers and plants that students have grown.
The Maryland Agriculture Teachers Association presented its 2025 Outstanding Teacher Award to the instructor who leads the Horticulture Program. Congratulations and a certificate of achievement for Jerry Kelley, CTE Horticulture instructor.
The Horticulture Program received the National FFA Chapter Award from the Maryland FFA. This award recognizes the program’s efforts to develop leadership, build community, and strengthen agriculture. Thank you to all the students who pursue excellence in this program and to the two amazing adults who lead them.
Certificates of recognition for Horticulture at Parkside CTE earning the National Chapter Award from the Maryland FFA for:
Jerry Kelley, instructor
Erin Burke, instructional assistant 2
2026 All State Performers
We proudly recognize students who were selected for the 2026 Maryland All State musical performing groups, which perform at the Maryland Music Educators Association conference. These students have proven themselves to be among the best in the state, as selected by audition from among thousands of candidates.
Certificates of achievement for these outstanding performers:
· Selected for All State Junior Band:
Zackary Collins, tuba, Mardela High, Band Director Joey Coco
· Selected for All State Senior Band:
Nicholas Davala, trombone, Mardela High, Band Director Joey Coco
· Selected for All State Junior Mixed Choir:
Annie Richerson, alto, Salisbury Middle, Choral Director Ellie Cuppett
Alvin Wachira, bass, James M. Bennett High, Choral Director Toni Daniel
Ruby Twining, soprano, Mardela High, Choral Director Robert Mindte
· Selected for All State Senior Mixed Choir:
Zach Bucci, tenor 1, JMB, Choral Director Laura LeBlanc
These are all Parkside High students, Choral Director Toni Daniel:
John Cook, bass 1
Harjot Gill, bass 1
Finneas Kitchens, tenor 1
Rickelle Simpson-Henry, alto 1
Joshua Strickland, bass 1
Bailea Urell, soprano 1, Wicomico High, Choral Director Britinie Jordan
· Selected for All State Senior Treble Choir:
Ava Alexis, alto 2
Kaitlyn Danielraj, alto 2
Both of James M. Bennett High, choral director Laura LeBlanc
Sophia Bailey, alto 2
Rayne Farlow, alto 1
Both Parkside High, Choral Director Toni Daniel
Maryland Business Roundtable for Education’s “The 24: Maryland’s Emerging Scholars Award”
The Maryland Business Roundtable for Education celebrated a group of young leaders who are set to shape the future of the state. “The 24: Maryland’s Emerging Scholars” awards program with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education highlights an outstanding student in each school system for significant contributions to their communities, their schools and their own futures.
Congratulations to Wicomico’s Emerging Leader on The 24 list: Sheraz Ahmad, Wicomico High
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards 2025 National Board Certified Teachers
We appreciate teachers who go above and beyond in their own education to ensure that they have as much knowledge as possible to enhance learning opportunities for their students. One very important way that educators can do this is by pursuing National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. This nationwide certification program recognizes accomplished teachers and generates ongoing improvement in schools.
Pillar 2 of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future program is about attracting and retaining High Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders throughout the state, because quality educators are key to student success. National Board Certification is an important part of that pillar, with classroom teachers who put in the extraordinary effort required to earn national certification also receiving a stipend from the state of $10,000 to $17,000.
We are thankful for all of Wicomico’s current nationally certified teachers. We welcome others who have national certification to begin teaching here, and encourage those already on our teaching staff who are pursuing or want to begin pursuing national certification to do so.
Certificates of recognition for these Wicomico educators who were newly certified in 2025 through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards:
Lori Dunlap, Beaver Run Elementary
Lindsey Murphy, Beaver Run Elementary
Grace Olinde, Beaver Run Elementary
Christina Ruark, Bennett Middle
Kari Thomas, Bennett Middle
Jillian Burkholder, Delmar Elementary
Katherine Diven, Delmar Elementary
Amy Hudson, Delmar Elementary
Diane Pastella, Delmar Elementary
Matthew Snyder, East Salisbury Elementary
Lindsey Mount, Fruitland Intermediate
Jessica Shade, Fruitland Intermediate
Casey Eskridge, Fruitland Primary
Laura Giarratano, Fruitland Primary
Brittany Helgeson, Glen Avenue Elementary
Victoria Olinde, James M. Bennett High
Elisabeth Elliott, Northwestern Elementary
Ashley Capute, Parkside High
Kristi Grande, Parkside High
Erin Neal, Parkside High
Jennifer Pariseau, Parkside High
Ben Vickers, Parkside High
Jeri Ward, Parkside High
Melissa Koerner, Pemberton Elementary
Cynthia Malone, Pemberton Elementary
Kelly Setzer, Pemberton Elementary
Kelsey Brooks, Pinehurst Elementary
Katie Byrne, Pinehurst Elementary
Jacquelyn Drescher, Pinehurst Elementary
Juliana Reyes, Pinehurst Elementary
Ashlie Sise, Pinehurst Elementary
Stephanie McCoy, Pittsville Elementary & Middle
Dustin Thomas, Prince Street Elementary
Christopher Agoglia, Salisbury Middle
Alexa Bode, Salisbury Middle
Caroline Taylor, Salisbury Middle
Rebecca Tittermary, Salisbury Middle
Amy Prettyman, West Salisbury Elementary
Jessica Womer, West Salisbury Elementary
Rebecca Agoglia, Wicomico High
Terri Hruska, Wicomico High
Britinie Jordan, Wicomico High
Mary Messler, Wicomico High
Alaina Vickers, Wicomico High
Lillian Hoffman, Wicomico Middle
Miranda Ebeling, English Language Support Center
Beth Wolff, English Language Support Center
Patricia Seitz Teacher of the Year Award from The Archaeological Society of Maryland
The Archaeological Society of Maryland presents the Patricia Seitz Teacher of the Year Award in memory of a former teacher in the Baltimore County Public Schools. The award is presented to a teacher or teachers who have achieved excellence in instruction by developing and/or incorporating archeological content, projects, and/or activities into the classroom curriculum for students.
Certificates of achievement for Bennett Middle teachers Julia Berg and Sarah Mason for receiving the Patricia Seitz Teacher of the Year Award from The Archaeological Society of Maryland. They have been K-12 educators for 15+ years. In the six years since they became involved in The Archeological Society of Maryland, they have been a model for involvement, advocacy, and service that many professional archaeologists would be hard put to match. They founded the Eastern Shore Chapter of the organization, presented at the Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference and the Conference on Public Archaeology, served as content writers for Archaeology in the Community, and collaborated on two awarded grants to provide opportunities for K-12 teachers and students to engage in archaeology.
Ms. Berg has completed her CAT certification and Ms. Mason is working diligently on hers. Archaeology, archaeologists, and the general public in Maryland benefit greatly from their passion, tenacity, and humility as they bring communities together to share in the valuation of Maryland's history.
Unified Strength and Conditioning State Tournament Gold Medal Teams
Wicomico Schools is proud to partner with Special Olympics Maryland to offer Unified Sports seasons in its high schools. Students with and without disabilities join to have fun, master the skills of a sport, and compete.
Certificates of achievement for the athletes and coaches on the Unified Strength and Conditioning teams of Wicomico High and Mardela High School that won gold medals at the state tournament.
Mardela High competed in Unified Strength and Conditioning on a combined “Jagdela” team with Washington High. Interestingly, this collaboration started when there was just one Mardela student who wanted to compete. This year, the team had just one member from Washington High, with excellent participation by Mardela High student-athletes.
Mardela High Gold Medal Team members: Cole Cervantes, Elana Donalds, Johnny Jamrock, Ava Twilley, Warner Wright, Micah Arthur, Jason Brown, Jayanna Horsey, Violet Samis, Aaron Shrieves, Adam Shrieves, Rob Bridenbaugh, Maxwell Grady, Jackson Wisk
Coaches: Joe Hastings, Mike Brittingham
Wicomico High Gold Medal Team members: Anthony Becker, Dereon Doughty, Valentin Leon-Padilla, Hosea Render, Cameron Richardson, Kendall Harmon, Suave Jones, Carlos Martinez Hernandez, Aiden George
Coaches: Carlous Showell, Ryan Mitchell, Dorsey Cook
MPSSAA 2A Single Season Sack Record
Football is a team sport, but from time to time there’s an individual achievement that really stands out. In 2025, during Wicomico High’s run to the state semifinals, a junior on the Tribe team notched 16 sacks, setting a 2A state record for the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Remarkably, the student only started playing football the year before!
Certificate of recognition for setting the MPSSAA 2A single season sack record for Kelando Davis.
AP Scholar Awards
We proudly recognize students whose achievement in academics at a college level earned them AP Scholar Awards in the 2025 administration of the AP or Advanced Placement tests. At the end of each AP course, students have the option to take an exam on which high marks may earn them college credit and AP Scholar recognition. Congratulations to all of Wicomico’s AP Scholars, including many of whom graduated in 2025. Those listed here are current Wicomico students.
These AP Scholars with Distinction are recognized with a certificate of achievement for receiving an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken AND grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. We are proud to recognize our current AP Scholars with Distinction:
James M. Bennett High: Peyton J. Bailey, Brennan C. Bergquist, Finnegan G. Costello, Eden Debebe, Barry A. Flint, Peter L. Jin, Elijah M. Lejeune, Bella L. Thompsen, Sarah D. Yamakawa
Parkside High School: Rami H. Abdin, John W. Gorham
Wicomico High School: Gianluca Figueroa-Rivera
These AP Scholars with Honor are recognized with a certificate of achievement for receiving an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, AND grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Current AP Scholars with Honor are:
James M. Bennett High School: Daniel C. Donoway, Jayden L. Matthews, River R. Norton
Parkside High School: Jaden H. Min, Justin L. Riddleberger, Pheonie Z. Zhang
These AP Scholars and current students are presented with certificates of recognition as for receiving grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams:
James M. Bennett High: Catherine S. Apodaca-Reyes, Todd T. Bao, Nahum C. Bernard, Sydney M. Berry, Charlotte H. Burton, Holly A. Cooper, Valeria Cordova, Cayli A. Crockett, Dayana C. Cruz, Kaitlyn Danielraj, Sara A. Esoud, Parker T. Fitzgerald, Anna C. Hagerman, Rishikesh Kandagatla, Elizabeth Martinez-Perez, Imran A. Miah, Charles E. Newnam, Sofia C. Stancu, Beckett N. Stone, Luc V. Thai, Tasneem Tirab, Emilia E. Tuske, Anshul N. Vasmate, William B. West, Madison P. Wheeler
Mardela High: Muhammad M. Ahmad, Thomas Dickey, Delanie E. Spear
Parkside High: Rachel L. Arvi, Santiago G. Arce, Paige O. Blum, Kevin L. Cofield, Karter A. DiCintio, Jeffrey J. Hsia, Isaiah J. Jones, Arjan Kharel, Ela D. Kislad, Skyler N. Truitt, Axel F. Volmar, Helen Weng
Wicomico High: Sheraz Ahmad, Marly Felix, Aleeza Nafees, Whitney Winder, Skylar B. Yonker