District recognizes scholarship winners, math contest champions, environmental-education and college-transition programs

The Allegany County Board of Education used its May 27 meeting to recognize multiple student achievements, community scholarships and instructional programs.

Women’s Action Coalition awards: Sherry Snyder, chair of the Women’s Action Coalition scholarship committee, and Carmen Jackson presented the 2025 Changemaker Scholarship. The board’s student member, Eowyn Hansrood, received the $1,000 Changemaker Scholarship. The committee also awarded an honorable recognition check for $100 to Jude Bailey for leadership of his robotics team.

Chamber and community scholarships: Andrea Craft of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce said the chamber’s Student Salute program (in partnership with WCBC and sponsors including Cheshi Federal Credit Union and Frostburg State University) recognized top students. This year’s awards named Gunnar Wilson and Charlotte Crawford each receiving $500 scholarships and a $5,000 scholarship awarded to Cameron Rice.

Allegheny College of Maryland math contest: The board recognized students who placed in the Allegheny College mathematics competition for juniors. Coach and administrators highlighted that Bryce Bridges of Allegheny High School achieved a perfect score on the 20-question, 50-minute test — the first perfect score in the competition’s approximately 35-year history — and that Allegheny High School’s top three finishers produced the team championship. Other named student finishers included Anderson Pannata and Jett Lohr among top placers; coach Mike Nestor and principal Chuck Moran were recognized for the school’s performance.

Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award: The board recognized Matt Klein of Mount Savage School as the 2025 Richard A. Johnson environmental education award recipient. Presenters described Klein’s work leading school gardens, a 26-by-52-foot “high tunnel” that extended the growing season, an apiary program, a chicken-hatching project (approximately 300 chicks hatched this year) and new aquaponics planning. The presenters credited Klein and community partners with hands-on learning opportunities and producing fresh food for local families.

ACM college-transition ("cheer") program: Representatives from Allegany College of Maryland and district staff recognized the third cohort of the ACM program that offers an immersive college experience for students with disabilities. College and district leaders said the five graduating students in this cohort have earned college credits, completed advising and financial aid steps, and plan to enroll at ACM in the fall. The board and college described the program as a collaborative model between institutions and highlighted participating staff, transportation and food-service support.

Why it matters: the recognitions underscore community support for student achievement, scholarships that defray college costs, and school–college partnerships that create postsecondary pathways for students, including students with disabilities.

The board offered congratulations to all recipients and thanked volunteer and community partners for scholarship sponsorship and program collaboration.