High School Awards Celebrate Student Achievement and the Educators Who Sparked It

Former high school interns address a large crowd during a presentation, using gestures to emphasize key points.

The annual event recognized 78 honorees and emphasized the power of mentorship and early inspiration

The Department of Geographical Sciences’ fourth annual High School Awards Banquet, held May 5 in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom, honored a record  78 outstanding students from a pool of 82 Maryland schools. More than 200 students, parents, teachers, and university members attended. Student achievement was the focus of the evening andt woven through every story was the influence of a dedicated teacher.

“Behind every exceptional student is someone who believed in them,” said Dean Susan Rivera of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences in her welcome remarks to a crowd of about 250 guests. “Tonight, we honor not only the students, but also the teachers and families who helped them discover their passions and begin to find their purpose.”

Mentors Who Make a Difference

For many of the teachers in attendance, the banquet is more than an end-of-year celebration—it’s a moment of pride and reflection. Zachary Francis, AP World History and e4usa Engineering teacher at College Park Academy, has returned year after year to support his students and witness the growing impact of the department’s outreach. “I personally love the awards banquet,” Francis said. “Being able to see my former students, Kendi and Imaan [current UMD students], speak is always amazing. Without the simple experience of GIS Day, they may never have found their way to UMD GEOG.”

Francis, who nominated Matthew James and Emma Moran this year, said many students don’t always understand why they’ve been selected. But the recognition matters—especially to families. “Both Matthew and Emma had their mothers in attendance, and it is wonderful to give caretakers the chance to see their children in such a rewarding environment,” he said. “The sense that the UMD GEOG community is growing is palpable.”

For Francis, the urgency of introducing geographical sciences early is clear. “The shrinking nature of the world and the need to sustainably protect land will force [students’] awareness,” he explained. “GIS and environmental studies give students realistic ways to help with—or combat—the issues they may carry anxiety about.”

He encourages all students, especially those unsure of what they want to do, to consider GIS: “It is the ultimate space for people interested in many things, who want an actionable way to contribute to their world. Practicing GIS skills early could be the foundation students build literal lives upon.”

Bridging Classroom and Career

For Stephanie Ian, an environmental studies teacher at Oakland Mills High School, it’s all about showing students what’s possible.. A returning guest to the banquet, she said the event inspired her last year to nominate students who might not otherwise see themselves on this kind of stage.

“When I came last time, I looked around and thought—this could really motivate my students,” said Ian, who sees herself not just as a teacher, but as a mentor and guide, someone who helps open the door.

This year, Ian brought Chelsea Aviles and Sasha Cohen, two juniors with a passion for environmental science. Chelsea, who discovered her interest through her school’s gardening program, said she’s learned to value hard work. Sasha, who also loves molecular biology, felt especially honored to receive a science-focused award from a department her family already has ties to. “My aunt works at UMD, and my brother is coming here next year,” she said. “Being here tonight feels like I’m already part of something bigger.”

Confidence and Belief

Recognition can also be the beginning of self-belief. Eden Oyelakin, a student from Frederick Douglass High School, shared how a teacher’s encouragement changed how she saw herself. “In first grade, I was selected for the TAG program,” she said. “I never thought of myself as talented and gifted until someone told me I was. That kind of confidence from teachers really helps you succeed.”

Now in AP Environmental Science, Eden has already placed third in her county science fair and is developing a deeper understanding of environmental and geographical issues. Her parents, who beamed with pride, offered their own wisdom: “You can lead the horse to water, but she has to want to drink. She wants this. That’s what makes the difference.”

A Field That Welcomes the Curious

For Teramoluwa Taiwo, a senior at Thomas S. Wootton High School, the banquet opened a new window of possibility. “After hearing what the department has to offer, it definitely piqued my interest,” she said. Deeply concerned about climate change, Tara believes her generation is ready to face reality. “We may be past the point of no return in some ways, but that doesn’t mean we stop trying.”

She left the event eager to explore the department’s programs over the summer. “The direction our environment is taking—it’s something students my age are more aware and conscious of. And now I want to learn how I can help.”'

From top left (clockwise): High school awardee and Assistant Professor Xiaopeng Song; group of students receive their award certificates from Professor Tatiana Loboda, GEOG chair, and Professor George Hurtt, associate chair;  Assistant Professor Catherine Nakalembe; Damon L. Austin, director of Library and Media Services at DeMatha Catholic High School, and Loboda. 

Growing a Community of Changemakers

Professor George Hurtt, who founded and co-organized the banquet with faculty specialist Valeria Morales, emphasized the pivotal role teachers play in connecting students with broader environmental challenges and the tools to address them.

“We are seeking to solve humanity’s most pressing issues,” Hurtt said. “Doing so requires us to reach outside these walls to find, engage and train the next generation of scientists. Teachers  can help prepare and inspire students to be part of the solution.”

One of the evening’s featured speakers, Assistant Professor Catherine Nakalembe, brought that vision to life as she described the powerful, real-world impact of geographical sciences: “Picture satellites capturing tree heights from space and supercomputers processing billions of data points to solve humanity’s greatest challenges.” She explained how the field tackles urgent questions about shifting climate and biodiversity—“Where, how fast, who’s affected, and what can we do?”—using cutting-edge technology developed right here at UMD, including instruments aboard the International Space Station. Nakalembe encouraged students to see geographical sciences as a path to meaningful impact: “You’ll master technology that barely existed a decade ago and join a community committed to solving Earth’s toughest problems.”

Supported by charitable gifts and the commitment of educators across the state, the High School Awards Banquet is both a celebration and a seedbed. As one teacher put it, helping students discover geography and GIS early is more than curriculum—it’s life preparation. And that, perhaps, is the most enduring award of all.

Main image: Undergraduate students Dev Paragiri and Natalie Rosenthal talk about their research in geographical sciences to attendees at the fourth annual High School Awards Banquet on May 5.

2025 Winners

Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College
Elias Castro, Ayush Dobaria, Tatiana Hernandez-Reyes, Jeff Minsona Leba, Ava Stuart and Mikal Witherspoon

Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
Nana Abena Brenya, Nana Aniagyei, Terry Bazemore, Leo Herrera, Hayden Hunt, Christian Medina, Sean Osandu, Opeyemioluwa Osituwo, Oluwanifemi Sobowale and Bethlehem Temesgen

College Park Academy
Matthew James and Emma Moran

Crossland High School
Estefany Delgado, Angely Hernandez and Dominic Robinson-Buchanan

DeMatha Catholic High School
Abdou Karim Fall, Jordan Gibbons, Gerald Kamau and Jared Taylor

Crossland High School
Gisel Abarca Reyes, Sergio Argueta, Sean Sanders and Kishore Kumar Senthilvelan

DeMatha Catholic High School
Abdou Karim Fall, Jordan Gibbons, Gerald Kamau and Jared Taylor

Elizabeth Seton High School
Kayla Garcon, Danika Kenealy and Ella King

Fairmont Heights High School
Diego Alvarenga and Stephanie Guevara

Frederick Douglass High School
Dylan Hernandez-Lopez, Lola Laffitte-Tessier, Andreas Nanevie, Clovis Nkamga, Eden Oyelakin and Madison Pippins

High Point High School
Walkis Brito Guzman, Raven Dewara Lacson, Auner Madrid, Yareli Mendez Cabrera, Anh Thuy Nguyen, Joe Pierre, Katerin Yanez Nolasco, Diana Zavala Lovo and Shilin Zheng

International High School at Langley Park
Katherine Amaya, Angel Escobar, Dany Romero, Brian Sterling, Karla Vega Guzman 
and Amine Zakaria

International High School at Largo
Merlin Chavarria Villatoro, Jeizon Diaz, Kevin Lopez, Gabriela Majano and Alejandro Rivas Marroquin

International High School at Largo
Angel Galeas, Salma Gulabzai and Khatira Rustami

James M. Bennett High School
Urjit Chakraborty

Key School
Adalaide Bauer, Alexander Bubnov, Christopher Hutson and Charlotte Morgan

Laurel High School
Samuel Gyamfi and Erin Stanford

Marriotts Ridge High School
Elizabeth Yoo

Northwest High School
Ahil Thendral

Northwood High School
Gabriel Anderson and Phoenix Worachaiprapa

Oakland Mills High School
Chelsy Aviles and Sasha Cohen

Poolesville High School
Kaiden Jacobs

Springbrook High School
Marharyta Bochkova, Loic Nono Tabou and Chidera Odidika

Thomas Wootton High School
Malia Bellamy, Christopher Edouard, Mufhenyi Ratshitanga, Christian Smithson and Teramoluwa Taiwo

Watkins Mill High School
Hansika Ambekar and Hillary Juarez Mendez

Learn More About Our High School Programs

Published on Tue, 05/20/2025 - 14:25