LA PLATA, Md. — The Board of Education of Charles County recognized six Charles County Public Schools students on April 14 for outstanding accomplishments in academics, personal responsibility and career readiness during its regular meeting.
The honored students represent a range of grade levels and schools across the county. They are Daxton Bates, a prekindergarten student at the Early Learning Center in La Plata; fifth-graders Jurnee Nichols of Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School and Elijah Brady Salmo of Mary B. Neal Elementary School; eighth-graders Liam McCrae of the Phoenix International School of the Arts and Anshu Shrestha of Mattawoman Middle School; and senior Paola Cercos Teverino of North Point High School.
Four-year-old Daxton Bates, who is autistic and still developing verbal skills, earned recognition for personal responsibility. Early Learning Center coordinator Candice Vallandingham-Adam noted that Bates initially refused to enter the building but has since become an active participant. He now joins classmates in small group sessions and holds peers’ hands while walking to specials. “His personal growth has been tremendous,” Vallandingham-Adam said.
Jurnee Nichols received honors for academic achievement at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary. Principal Diedra Barnett described Nichols as demonstrating a strong work ethic and genuine love of learning across subjects. “She is a diligent student with strong critical thinking skills who listens actively and collaborates effectively,” Barnett said. Nichols also stands out for her character, often helping classmates. Outside school, she plays flag football and basketball, enjoys dancing and is learning the saxophone.
Elijah Brady Salmo, also recognized for academic achievement at Mary B. Neal Elementary, participates in the Sailors program, math team, MESA team and safety patrol while taking accelerated sixth-grade math and maintaining Principal’s Honors. Principal Mike Hoffman praised his motivation. “Elijah is an exceptionally motivated and diligent learner who consistently goes beyond all aspects of his education,” Hoffman said. “He is a supportive and compassionate classmate.” Salmo enjoys basketball, taekwondo and has a particular fondness for animals, especially goats.
Liam McCrae of the Phoenix International School of the Arts earned recognition for academic achievement. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA, scored a Level 4 on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program math test and nearly a 4 on English/language arts. As class vice president and a member of the National Junior Honor Society, McCrae leads by example. Principal Jasmine Bateman, Ed.D., said, “He is a scholar who genuinely cares about his school community, the success of his peers and the pursuit of academic excellence.” McCrae stated his goal clearly: “I’m living to be better than the people before me.”
Anshu Shrestha of Mattawoman Middle School was honored for career readiness. Principal Anthony Carroll called her a “model student” who is “driven, ambitious, conscientious and very thoughtful of everyone in the Mattawoman community.” She participates in the AVID program, Student Government Association and National Junior Honor Society, while competing in basketball and track. In her free time, Shrestha enjoys cooking.
Paola Cercos Teverino, a senior at North Point High School, stands out for her rigorous academic path. She completed 14 Advanced Placement classes and passed or exceeded the score on every AP exam taken. She is projected to graduate in June in the top 5 percent of her class with a 4.4 GPA and plans to study political science on a pre-law track. Beyond academics, she tutors math and Spanish, serves as president of the World Language Honor Society, participated in the Maryland Student Page program at the Maryland General Assembly, belongs to the National Honor Society and plays varsity flag football and basketball.
The April 14 recognitions continue the board’s monthly practice of spotlighting students who exemplify excellence inside and outside the classroom. These honors highlight the diverse ways Charles County Public Schools students contribute to their schools and communities while building skills for future success.
Southern Maryland residents often point to such achievements as signs of strong local education programs that prepare young people for college, careers and civic life. The students’ stories show persistence, leadership and community involvement across age groups and school settings in Charles County.
