One Grade 11 student from each Baltimore County public high school has been selected to participate in the 2020 cohort of the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program, a new initiative of the Towson University Women’s Leadership Collective. The Collective was conceived by Dr. Nancy Grasmick, the Presidential Scholar and Women’s Leadership Ambassador at Towson University.
The selected eastside BCPS students are:
•Eliya Behailu, Parkville High
•Adria Fialkowski, Sollers Point Technical High
•Lesly Guevara, Chesapeake High
•Chahat Kumari, Dundalk High
•Carmelli Leal, Eastern Technical High
•Michelle Ramirez, Overlea High
•Bianca Skipper, Patapsco High
•Karalyn Varricchio, Perry Hall High
•Sophia Wilson, Sparrows Point High
•Caroline Woodring, Kenwood High
The students will be engaged in academic and career activities approximately every six weeks throughout the calendar year. The first activity, a welcoming retreat, will be held on Towson University’s campus on Friday, Jan. 24. The students will participate in workshops from 2 – 5 p.m., followed by dinner on campus with Towson University President Dr. Kim Schatzel, and attendance at the Towson Tigers’ women’s basketball game against Northeastern University at 7 p.m. During the welcoming retreat, students will hear from Dr. Elizabeth Berquist, director of professional learning, BCPS; Kim Fabian, senior vice president, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland; Dr. Grasmick; Kristi Halford, founder/chief support officer, c3 Visionary Strategies; Pat Isaac, CEO, Capital Services; Dr. Keiwana Perryman, assistant director of leadership/student activities, Towson University; Diane Richardson, coach, women’s basketball, Towson University; Sharon Markley Schreiber, COO, Alliance of Greater Baltimore; and Kim Williams, youth outreach coordinator, First Financial Federal Credit Union.
Throughout the year, the participants in the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program will interact with a variety of Towson University administrators, faculty, and students. Each participant will be matched with a successful professional woman who will serve as coach and counselor during the program cycle.
The selection process for the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program began with each BCPS high school principal nominating up to three candidates who met academic, leadership, and community service requirements. The Towson University Women’s Leadership Collective selected a finalist from each school after reviewing their applications, recommendations, and transcripts and conducting interviews.
