Day: May 18, 2021

Parkville MS Student Honored at MD History Day


Vedansh Sawhney of Parkville Middle School and Lila Kassouf of Dumbarton Middle School earned honors in the 2021 Maryland History Day competition.

Sawhney, a student of teacher Molly Ricciardi, won second place in the junior individual website category for research on Nazi propaganda. As a second-place winner, Sawhney qualifies to compete in the National History Day competition.

Sawhney and Kassouf were among more than 300 middle and high school students who submitted extensive historical research projects online for the 2021 Maryland History Day competition. The competition, usually held in person, is the culmination of a year-long program from Maryland Humanities (an area nonprofit organization). Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, Maryland Humanities once again administered the contest in a digital format this year, with project evaluation across five categories taking place over several weeks.

“We are so proud of our students Vedansh Sawhney and Lila Kassouf for their achievements in the Maryland History Day competition and so proud of their teachers Molly Ricciardi and Kathleen Barry for preparing them to succeed,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.

Maryland History Day, coordinated by Maryland Humanities since 1999, is open to public, private, parochial, and homeschool students in Grades 6 through 12. Working solo or in small groups, students create original documentary films, exhibits, performances, research papers, or websites exploring a historical topic of their choice on an annual theme, which this year is “Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.” Maryland History Day sparks critical thinking and helps develop skills in research and analysis, writing, and public speaking.

Competitors at Maryland History Day have already won first or second place in their category at school and/or district levels. Students from 11 counties and Baltimore City received special awards, designated for outstanding Maryland History Day projects that cover specific subjects.

Sawhney will be among students from six Maryland counties and Baltimore City to represent Maryland in the National History Day competition, where they will compete among 3,000 participants from across the nation and beyond. National History Day, held in June, will also be virtual in 2021. The competition involves students from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and international schools in China, Korea, and South Asia.

Maryland History Day is an affiliate of National History Day, a nonprofit education organization that promotes an appreciation for historical research among middle and high school students through multiple annual programs, including the National History Day Contest

Shady Spring ES Assistant Named Professional of the Year


As an administrative assistant in the front office of Shady Spring Elementary School in Rosedale, Steven “Brad” Fisher prides himself on knowing just about everything happening at his school.

On Tuesday morning, however, he had no idea that Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams would be stopping by with other education leaders to announce that he (Fisher) is the 2021 BCPS Office Professional of the Year.

“As a former principal, I know the positive difference outstanding office professionals can make in a school,” said Williams. “Congratulations to Brad Fisher on his well-deserved honor. In highlighting his excellence, we hope to bring attention to office professionals throughout the school system.”

Fisher joined BCPS in 2012 as an office professional at Elmwood Elementary School. He moved into his current role at Shady Spring Elementary in 2018.

“Since Brad arrived, he has worn many hats at Shady Spring,” said Principal Sandra Jimenez, “like best-dressed, first smile to see in the building, and prime organizer, but some unusual roles as well, such as first responder to student and teacher needs, Black History Month schoolwide event organizer, and this year, schoolwide mailman! Brad is dedicated to all the staff and students in the building and shows his care and support daily. Brad even sponsors his own Teacher Appreciation Day for the staff.”

Jimenez also notes that Fisher frequents classrooms and makes it a point to connect with some of the school’s students. “The younger students love to see his face because they know that he will most likely be reading a special story to them,” Jimenez said. “Brad helps many staff members with his problem-solving approach. Brad is loved and appreciated by staff, students, and parents. He also supports the ESPBC [Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County] organization and regularly presents at the annual conference. The school runs more smoothly because of him.”

In addition to Supt. Williams and Principal Jimenez, others participating in the surprise announcement were Dr. George Roberts, community superintendent, East Zone; Mildred Charley-Greene, acting chief of staff; Jane Lichter, executive director – elementary and secondary, East Zone; Jeannette Young, president, ESPBC; Joe Coughlin, vice president, ESPBC; Dianna Woodlon, chair, ESPBC Recognition and Retirement Committee; and Seleste Harris, director, UniServ.