Special ceremonies recognized the academic achievements of local seniors as they graduate high school and move on to the next stage in their lives recently.
Kent Island High School Senior Night 2024 highlighted the outstanding students that have gone above and beyond in dedication to their studies and exciting paths laid out before them May 22.
The awards ceremony recognized over 100 individual students attending college, scholarship awardees, as well as the highest performing students in each department, and students going into the military.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the Class of 2024,” Principal Daniel Harding said. “This was a historic night that truly showed off what it means to be a Buccaneer.”
Officials said this year there was a record number of scholarship amounts received.
Six students were lauded for receiving 18 or more credits through the district’s dual enrollment programs with Chesapeake College and Anne Arundel, said Laura Shroyer, department chair of the Kent Island High School guidance department.
One senior in particular, Shelby Faery, accumulated 60 credits and accomplished her Associate’s Degree in transfer studies with a focus in criminology before graduating from Kent Island.
Shelby has participated in the dual enrollment program through Anne Arundel Community College since the summer after her 10th grade year.
“It makes me feel really successful and accomplished,” she said. “I did really hard work and now that it’s done, it’s very fulfilling.”
In addition to working three jobs, Shelby noted much of her free time was devoted to her studies, but achieving her AA degree was an experience she would not trade for anything.
Shelby was grateful for the opportunity to experience community college life and discover aspects about herself.
Shelby credited her mother, Kent Island High School science teacher Nikki Faery, for her encouragement and the support from the school officials to ensure her classes were organized and transferable.
“Education has always been very important in our family,” Nikki said.
Shelby has been accepted into the University of Maryland College Park for the fall semester with an aim to focus in criminology and pre-law.
“I have always had an interest in helping people, especially those who can’t help themselves,” Shelby said.
She has aims to take the LSATs pre-law exam in the fall of 2025 to apply to law school.
Shelby was excited and honored to have the recognition and looked forward to moving on to the next steps in her academics.
Noting not all students are athletes, it was important to recognize the accomplishments of all students, according to Nikki.
Queen Anne’s County High School also recently recognized dual enrollment students, scholarship winners and department recognitions during its annual Senior Awards Night May 16.
Eight Queen Anne’s County seniors received their basic transfer certificates by achieving 18 college credits or more as part of the dual enrollment program with Chesapeake College, according to Bob Willis, guidance department chair.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in community scholarships were awarded to seniors through alumni associations, local Lions and Rotary clubs, memorial scholarships and delegate scholarships, he said.
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