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Laurel students honored for reading, mock trial and inclusion; mock trial team places third in state
Summary
The board recognized North Laurel’s I Love to Read Month (13,951 books read in February), honored Laurel High’s first mock trial team (reported third-best in the state) and spotlighted an Inclusion Club and new unified track program that grew from Special Olympics leadership work.
The Laurel School District board paused its regular business to recognize student achievement across the district.
Dr. Blair Moore invited North Laurel principal Michael Reid to present highlights from I Love to Read Month. Reid said students at North Laurel read 13,951 books in February — an average of roughly one book per student per day for the month — and the board honored top classrooms and individual readers. "If you do the math, that means our students at North Laurel, every student in the building was reading 1 book a day for the month of February," Reid said, and he thanked families and the district’s I Love to Read committee for the work.
The board also recognized Laurel High School’s inaugural mock trial team. Principal Betrina Giles described the team’s rapid development in its first year, and coach Miss Bonato and several students described months of preparation, four trial rounds and intense peer-driven growth. Student reflections emphasized teamwork, memorization and improved public-speaking skills; several students won individual recognitions and the team was reported as the third-best team in the state during their final round. "They work their butts off," coach Bonato said, and adults onstage praised the students’ dedication and growth.
District staff and students then described Inclusion Week and the district’s Inclusion Club, which began after a Special Olympics leadership conference. Students named in the presentation — Ty Jefferson, Carson Peete and Brendan Thompson — described activities including spirit days, Special Olympics bocce and a new unified track team that began practices this spring. "It's important for kids to have a voice," said Carson Peete, recalling district help with transportation and conference opportunities.
The recognitions were primarily ceremonial but highlighted academic and extracurricular growth across grade levels and drew repeated praise from board members.
The board moved on after formal congratulations and photographs, then continued its agenda, including the financial report and several routine votes.
