PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Public Schools’ students and advisors returned from the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) State Leadership Conference, held March 11-13, 2025, in Ocean City, with a haul of awards and a bolstered reputation as Maryland’s leadership vanguard. From middle school standouts to high school trailblazers, the Calvert Association of Student Councils (CASC) proved their mettle, racking up honors for service, hospitality, and vision at the annual gathering.
CASC snagged the Advisors Hospitality Award for the second straight year, a nod to the seamless support orchestrated by County Advisor Athena Lewis of Northern Middle School, School Advisor Desira Kelly of Plum Point Middle, and Co-Chairs Madelynn Kelly and Jordan Hayes, both Huntingtown High seniors. Their knack for rallying advisors statewide earned them a spotlight amid the conference’s 500-plus attendees, per MASC records. Meanwhile, Windy Hill Middle School’s Student Government, led by Advisor Katie Sinclair, claimed the Felix Simon Award—the state’s top prize for middle school councils—celebrating their excellence in leadership programming and outcomes.
Desira Kelly doubled her accolades with the Susan Nash Travetto Friend of MASC Award, recognizing her pivotal role in fueling the organization’s growth this year. Madelynn Kelly, CASC President, nabbed the Regions Outstanding Student Leader title for her tireless push for tolerance, understanding, and change through service—spanning her school, community, and state. Advisors Angela Cox of Southern Middle, Kelly, and Lewis also earned kudos for perfect attendance at all 2024-25 MASC conferences, including the Ocean City flagship, a testament to their dedication.
The conference itself was a leadership crucible. Students elected the 2025-26 MASC officers, soaked up wisdom from a nationally recognized keynote speaker, debated youth-focused bills from the Maryland General Assembly, and flexed their voices in legislative sessions. For Calvert’s delegation—over 30 strong, per district estimates—it was a chance to sharpen skills and network with peers from every corner of Maryland. The Felix Simon win, named for a student council pioneer, underscores years of groundwork; Windy Hill’s crew met rigorous standards, from project impact to leadership growth.
Calvert’s banner year builds on a legacy. Last year’s hospitality win set the stage, and now, with middle and high schoolers alike earning top honors, CASC stands as a model. MASC, serving over 200 schools statewide per its site, thrives on such energy—Calvert’s kids are its pulse. Madelynn’s advocacy, from local volunteering to state-level lobbying, mirrors the conference’s ethos: empower youth, amplify voices. As the 2025-26 term looms, these leaders aren’t just collecting plaques—they’re shaping Maryland’s future.
