Written By Patricia Bianca

While other public school districts struggle with low test score averages and rising crime rates, Carroll County’s public school system apparently boasts a proliferation of scholastic superstars. Convincing our seven public high schools to each name just one student for recognition proved challenging to say the least.

What constitutes a student worthy of the term “top scholar?” Although he admits that the Carroll County Board of Education has never officially defined the term, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Steven Johnson offered his views on the qualities that characterize a top scholar:

“Certainly top scholars are kids who challenge themselves by taking the most challenging courses that they can,” he said. He also pointed out that these are responsible students, who turn their work in on time with a high degree of quality and can demonstrate their learning through excellent grades, test scores and student presentations. A level of commitment to academics is displayed, he added, by “kids who take college courses, either in our schools through advanced placement or career and tech programs, or by going to community college while they’re still enrolled in high school.”

“Well-rounded” is another term that was often used to describe our top scholars. “You look at students who are involved in the community, either through community activities or in the fine arts or athletics who can also maintain their academics,”Johnson said. “I certainly think of students who really take advantage of the programs and activities and academics that we have available to them.”

Students who apply themselves in that way are recognized in a variety of ways, according to Don Pyles, recent Acting Director of High Schools. Among them are the traditional honor rolls, special school awards and honor silks worn at graduation ceremonies. In addition, special achievements are reported in school newsletters and to local newspapers.
On the countywide level, students may be formally recognized for outstanding grade point averages, a high degree of performance on the SATs or for their work in advanced placement courses.

Carroll County also recognizes students who give back to their community by going beyond the 75-hour requirement for community service learning. “We have kids who complete thousands of hours of community service learning,” said Johnson. “We really try to instill in our students, especially when they reach the high school level, the idea that the more you get involved in what the school offers, the more pleasurable your academic experience is going to be .”

Certainly the following students got the message. Each of the graduates boasts impressive grade point averages, tackled several advanced placement courses and participated in a multitude of school and community projects. They are, however, only a handful of the many “top scholars” who are well qualified to represent the Class of 2006.

Elizabeth Anne
Sheridan Camlin
Winters Mill High School
Westminster, Maryland

The first thing you notice about Ellie Camlin is the thoughtfulness and maturity of her self expression. Get to know her better, and you’ll rave about the delicious chocolate chip cookies that she bakes. At least that is what has the students and faculty of Winters Mill High School will remember most about her.

But Ellie has made her mark at Winters Mill in a number of ways. Not only is she one of the top students of Class of 2006, Ellie also served as president of the Chorus and helped to establish a musical honor society at Winters Mill. Additionally, Ellie participated in the school’s History Club, served as Secretary for the National Honor Society and performed a good measure of service, including helping with fundraisers to benefit the school’s sister high school in New Orleans and other worthy recipients.

Ellie credits her drive for constant self-improvement to her parents, the terrific teachers she’s had at Winters Mill and her overpowering desire not to disappoint them.

Her ability to think on her feet should serve Ellie well at Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she will further her education this fall. Ellie has not selected a major yet, but the confirmed bibliophile feels it will probably be English.

Jessica Laurel Penn
Francis Scott Key High School
Union Bridge, Maryland

Of all our top scholars, Jessica Penn is the only one who seems to have embraced Carroll County’s tradition of agriculture. Of course, growing up on an 8-acre farmette on the rural outcroppings of New Windsor had a lot to do with that.

Her interest in agriculture was one of the things that made Jessica stand out in the eyes of her principal and guidance counselor. An avid, longtime 4-Her and Future Farmers of America alumna, she raises and shows sheep and regularly serves as assistant director for 4-H Camp.

Scholastically, Jessica has maintained an impressive 4.0 average and qualified for several scholarships. She is also known as a talented writer. She participated in the Student Government Association, the National Honor Society and on both the Junior and Senior Executive Boards for Francis Scott Key High School.

This year, her love of children led Jessica to become involved in FSK High School’s mentoring program. She has enjoyed serving as mentor to five area middle school girls.

Jessica is headed for the University of Maryland, College Park, this fall, but is undecided on a major.

Marshall Adam Schroeder
Century High School
Sykesville, Maryland

“Remarkable, proactive, responsible É” are just a few of the many qualities attributed to recent Century High School graduate Marshall Schroeder. Clearly there’s more to him than his excellent grades.

Marshall’s chief area of interest is chemistry. Having exhausted Century High School’s slate of chemistry courses by 11th grade, Marshall set out to find creative ways to stay involved in his favorite subject throughout his senior year.

First there was his stint as a teacher’s aid in chemistry. Then Marshall looked around and discovered a need for a student tutor in that subject. He was soon a morning fixture in Century’s cafeteria, conducting help sessions for students having trouble in chemistry.

Marshall is no stranger to extracurricular activities. He played lacrosse, served as captain of the soccer team, was a member of the Varsity Club, the Academic Team, the Chemistry Team, the Student Government Association, and served as treasurer for both the National Honor Society and the Class of 2006. He and his Academic Team mates won this year’s Carroll County Academic Challenge.

This fall, Marshall will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park, where he is contemplating launching a career in chemical engineering.

Ruchi Jitesh Parikh
Westminster High School
Westminster, Maryland

Finksburg native Ruchi Parikh was a natural choice for president of the Class of 2006 at Westminster High School. Intelligent, well spoken and ambitious, Ruchi not only represents her school well, but oozes school spirit.

In addition to maintaining her 4.0 average, tutoring and filling out countless college applications, Ruchi spent her senior year giving back to her high school by serving as class president, and as a member of the student senate. Naturally, she participated in the National Honor Society as well.

Books are very important to Ruchi, who lists English and history as her favorite subjects. She shares her love of learning, working as a tutor two days a week at Kumon Learning Center in Owings Mills. It is a job she finds both rewarding and educational.

Ruchi plans to pursue a career as a doctor or a lawyer. She will begin her odyssey this fall at the University of Virginia.

Bradley Mitchell Cohn
Liberty High School
Eldersburg, Maryland

Doubtless a lot of people in Carroll County will recognize the name Brad Cohn. Thanks to his work with the Carroll County Student Government Association, officials are beginning to listen to students more closely.

Liberty High School principal Florence Oliver selected Brad to represent his school because of his stellar performance in a demanding college prep program and the numerous contributions he has made to his school through his work with the Executive Board of the Liberty Student Government Association and the School Improvement Team, as vice president of the Class of 2006, president of the Debate Club, and member of the National Honor Society, as well as a plethora of other school clubs and sports teams. He takes most pride in his work with the Carroll County Student Government Association.

Another point of pride for Brad and his parents was his acceptance into the prestigious West Point Academy, for which he received an astounding three political nominations. Brad was accepted to four out of his five dream schools, including the Air Force Academy and William & Mary, but his fascination with American history and dreams of a military career were the deciding factors in his choice of West Point.

Brian Joseph Campbell
North Carroll
High School
Hampstead, Maryland

As a National Merit Finalist and Maryland Distinguished Scholar, Brian Campbell was a natural choice to represent his school.But you would never mistake the quiet, easy-going teen for a nerd. Like all our top scholars, Brian is a well-rounded individual with many and varied interests.

Brian particularly excels in his favorite subjects of math and science. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the Student Government Association. Moreoever, he is a sports fanatic, having run two seasons of indoor and outdoor track at school, playing baseball and watching “tons of sports” in his leisure time.
Helping his community is also important to Brian, who has planted trees and organized class cleanups with the Environmental Club, as well as helping to raise funds for Teens Against Poverty.

This fall, Brian will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park. Although he has not decided on a major, he is leaning toward something in the sciences, but is also interested in history.

Richard Guy O’Steen, Jr.
South Carroll
High School
Sykesville, Maryland

Although South Carroll High School graduate Ricky O’Steen can rattle on about complex physics theories as though they’re second nature, he is no science geek. The confident teen tackles rock-climbing as easily and as heartily as he does a Stephan Hawking essay.

Ricky’s saving grace was Boy Scouts, where he discovered a love of canoeing, hiking, rock-climbing and other outdoor pursuits. He was recently awarded the honored title of Eagle Scout for his efforts in that organization.

Additionally, Ricky enjoys playing soccer and skiing with his school’s Ski Team.

But he admits he tends to get by on raw brainpower. The ability has made Ricky a definite asset to South Carroll’s Class of 2006. As a National Merit Finalist and Maryland Distinguished Scholar, he helped his school win the Carroll County Academic Challenge last year and take second place this year. Ricky’s participation in the Science Club, meanwhile, helped them win the Central Maryland Physics Olympics this year, coming in first out of 50 teams. He can even boast a perfect score on the original SATs.

After graduation, Ricky planned to a trip to Europe with friends, followed by college this fall. He plans to attend the University of Maryland, College Park, where he will definitely major in Physics, although he believes a double major is a real possibility.