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Press Release: Eighth Annual Parent Involvement Matters Awards Set For June 5

State Superintendent Announces 24 Semifinalists

For Immediate Release                                                           Contact: William Reinhard, 410.767.0486

Baltimore, MD (June 2, 2015)

State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lillian M. Lowery today announced the 24 semifinalists for the 2015 Parent Involvement Matters Award.

The Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) Program is the nation’s first statewide initiative of its kind – recognizing parents and legal guardians for their exceptional support of public education. Parents are nominated for demonstrating significant, positive contributions in their education communities. This is PIMA’s eighth year.

The 2015 Parent Involvement Matters Awards celebration is set for 6 p.m., Friday, June 5 at Martin’s West in Baltimore. Five finalists and a statewide winner, selected from the 24 semifinalists detailed below, will be announced during the awards ceremony.

“Parent involvement is the critical factor in ensuring the success of our students, and these parents are leading the way,” said Dr. Lowery.  “The tireless commitment and dedication that parents and guardians across Maryland have for our public schools is an inspiration to all educators. I take pride in honoring their work.”

The PIMA Program recognizes parents from local school systems across the State of Maryland, nominated for their contributions in one or more of the five areas of parental involvement:  Communication; Volunteering; Learning; Decision Making; and Community Collaboration.

Many of the semifinalists from previous years have become parent involvement advocates on the statewide level – serving as members of task forces, presenters at statewide meetings, and participants in education conventions as well as focus groups.

The PIMA Program is supported by: Platinum: Martin’s West; Gold: BGE, Comcast and Rudolph’s Office and Computer Supply; Silver: Maryland PTA, Cullins Trucking, Inc., Harvest Enterprises, Inc., The Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc., and Target.

The finalists are:

County  School Parent
     
Allegany County Northeast Elementary Malinda Darber

Anne Arundel County Arnold Elementary Kerry A. Petz

Baltimore City

Gardenville Elementary

Annie Matthews

Baltimore County

West Towson Elem.

Monica Leigh

Calvert County

Plum Point Elementary

Kimberly Koteff

Caroline County

Ridgely Elementary

Danielle Jacobsen

Carroll County

Robert Moton Elem.

Sara Zaranski

Cecil County

Holly Hall Elementary

Joseph Cline

Charles County

C. Paul Barnhardt Elem.

Yolanda Judge

Dorchester County

Warwick Elementary

Shelli Blake

Frederick County

Kemptown Elem.

Tracy Herald

Garrett County

Southern High School

June McClosky

Harford County

Youth's Benefit Elem.

Susan Kipp

Howard County

Ducketts Lane Elem.

Richard Ryans

Kent County

Worton Elem.

Alberto Rosanova

Montgomery County

Westland Middle

Andrew Niebler

Prince George's County

Columbia Park Elem.

Latrena Hines-Bean

Queen Anne's County

Sudlersville Elementary

Dominique Ellingsworth-Mohen

St. Mary's County

Leonardtown High

Sharmella Riggs

Somerset County

Greenwood Elementary

Tara Evanusa

Talbot County

Easton Middle

Colleen Gabler

Washington County

Pangborn Elementary

Lauren Myers

Wicomico County

Westside Intermediate

Glenn Hornstein

Worcester County

Cedar Chapel Special School

Stephanie Truitt-Drimal


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