ANNAPOLIS, Md. — On Feb. 5, Kennady Hawkins, a senior at Thomas Stone High School, accepted the 24 Emerging Scholar Award from the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) in a ceremony held in the state capital. Chosen from nearly 300 applicants, Hawkins represents Charles County Public Schools among 24 standout students across Maryland. The award, presented with The Daily Record, recognizes academic success and leadership.
The selection caught Hawkins off guard. “Me?!,” she said. “I did not know how far I could go achievement wise.” After applying with newfound confidence, she broke through a pattern of unanswered submissions. “Often times I apply for these types of things and do not get them or hear back, but this time I had confidence in my application,” she said. The honor has strengthened her trust in her potential.
At Thomas Stone, Hawkins balances multiple roles. She’s vice president of the W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society, active in the Student Government Association, and enrolled in the Teacher Academy of Maryland. She also works at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School through the CCPS Apprenticeship Maryland Program, where she’s honing her teaching skills. Reading aloud to students at J.P. Ryon Elementary School has been both a challenge and a joy. “Sometimes I get nervous when I read to the kids, but it is something that I enjoy,” Hawkins said.
She aims to teach elementary school after college, inspired by her mother’s career. “My mom is a teacher and seeing her experience in the classroom has inspired me,” she said. Hawkins credits Ava Morton, her college and career advisor, and Tynisha Matthews, her Teacher Academy instructor, for their guidance. Morton praised her dedication. “Kennady takes the initiative in her work,” Morton said. “She has served as an escort for our senior interviews where she interacted with community leaders, and she supported our annual open house events interacting with new students and their families. She is a positive influence on underclassmen and a true leader.”
In her free time, Hawkins volunteers and recently tried her hand at arts and crafts, designing a custom iPhone case. These pursuits complement her busy schedule. The MBRT, a nonprofit focused on advancing education, uses this award to highlight students like Hawkins who embody its goals, as stated on its website.
