Howard County elementary school receives state, national honors
A Howard County elementary school celebrated a big honor last week with its entire student body.
Worthington Elementary School in Ellicott City not only received a Maryland Blue Ribbon award but also a National Blue Ribbon award.
The distinction is a bright star demonstrating the school's academic achievements, also showing the school is making strides to close achievement gaps.
Honors to celebrate
To celebrate, Howard County education leaders, the Howard County Council, and other guests joined the school's staff and students in the gymnasium.
Some students read essays about what they love about the school.
"All the students have worked together to achieve great test scores. They hold friendships that may last a lifetime," one student said. "Work and encourage each other to do their best. They take after their teachers while learning incredibly fast."
Robert Bruce, Worthington's principal, said the school learned about its state Blue Ribbon in January 2024.
An application had to be filled out to get the national one.
"We formed a committee of parents and staff to write that application. There was so much to consider, and so much to write about Worthington Elementary," Bruce said.
Bruce adds that the awards are a testament to the school's community.
"It's like a family environment," he said. "Our community supports the school, and this school wants every child to reach their fullest potential."
Worthington learned of its National Blue Ribbon status in September. It's one of four public schools in the state to get this award for 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business Insider
I'm 92 and still live independently. I make sure to stay active, and I don't eat a lot of red meat.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mira Armstrong, a 92-year-old from Porepunkah, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity. I built my home with my husband, Bruce, in 1956. Now that I'm 92 years old, I still live independently. I hope I croak it here. I was born in Poland in 1933 during the Depression. My father was a shoemaker and in the army reserve. When World War II broke out, he was taken prisoner and sent to Germany. My mother, siblings, and I followed. I got a rough start to life Life was pretty tough. We lived in a derelict, abandoned farmhouse and weren't allowed to go to school because we weren't German citizens. While German children were at school, we'd scavenge at the dump — once, we even found an old gramophone. Toward the end of the war, I remember hearing American planes overhead. An old German man cycled through our village, sounding a siren as they approached. They never bombed our village, only cities and factories. I remember watching thousands of British airmen being marched past on foot. They stopped and ate grass because they were so hungry. I wish I knew how to speak English back then, but I didn't. We moved to Australia after the war, and things changed After the war, we were moved from one displaced persons camp to another. Europe was in chaos. We spent some time in Italy, then came to Australia aboard the SS Skaugum. My father got a job in the ship's kitchen and was finally able to buy toothpaste. We'd cleaned our teeth with ash during the war. When we arrived in Melbourne on March 28, 1950, I was 17. It felt like heaven. Everything was so strange and unusual. We were finally free. My family eventually settled in Porepunkah, Victoria, and I met my husband, Bruce, at the local swimming hole. One day, he waited in his truck to pick my sister and me up from work, and that was it. We were married in 1954 — I was 21, Bruce was 24. Longevity could be hereditary — my mum lived to 97. She was hardworking and survived many hardships, too. But I have also made a few lifestyle choices that may have helped. Being active has always been a priority When I was younger, I used to cycle 24 kilometers to and from work, even to church in high heels. I did everything fast, whether it was housework or heaving hay bales around our farm. When Bruce and I built our house, we dug the foundation holes and the well by hand. We had five kids, and I was constantly busy. I worked in hospitality and retail, never behind a desk. These days, I still walk a lot, mainly around the house and outside, and I like to garden. I eat a balanced diet, and I don't drink or smoke I eat everything — probably because I remember the starvation during the war. Once, we went for four days without food. For breakfast, I have porridge or Weetabix. I eat soup full of veggies, wholemeal toasties, chicken, fish, and walnuts. There's not a lot of red meat in my diet. My vice is fruit, though I have to be careful because I'm borderline diabetic. I never smoked or drank, and I only recently started drinking coffee. Staying social and volunteering is key Our home was always social — full of friends and family. I enjoy spending time with my eight grandkids and eight great-grandkids. I've also done a lot of volunteer work: 29 years with Meals on Wheels, 14 years with the op shop, and years of church work. I get bored easily, and I enjoy giving back. My faith has given me comfort in tough times Bruce died in 1977 shortly after a trucking accident. He was 47 years old, I was 44. I still had three boys at home and about 70 cows to manage on our farm. It was a horrendous time, and I went through hell. I did three part-time jobs and took care of everything on autopilot. After Bruce died, I started cursing God and stopped going to church. Then, in 1992, my youngest son, Graham, was killed in a road accident. It was very difficult, and that's when I returned to church. My faith has brought me comfort ever since. I make sure to keep my mind active I keep my mind active with puzzles and reading. I enjoy thrillers, and hot romances, too. After Bruce died, I'd read romance novels through the night. In the morning, I didn't even remember what they were about. These days, I enjoy feeding the birds and gardening. For what it's worth, these habits may have led to my longevity, and they've surely contributed to my enjoyment of life. But my No. 1 tip for a long life? Don't die!
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
These are the top public high schools in Connecticut, according to Niche
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Westport School District's Staples High School was determined the best public high school in the state for 2025, according to an annual analysis from Niche. It's not the first time the school as earned this title from Niche. They've ranked No. 1 at least three times in recent years. 2024: 3 Connecticut schools make Blue Ribbon list Niche used demographic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, combined with surveys from millions of students and parents, to make its ranking. They said the criteria with the most weight was academics, which they graded based on state assessment proficiency, college enrollment data, and survey responses on academics from students and parents. Other factors included culture and diversity, teachers, parent and student surveys on experience, clubs and activities, resources and facilities, and sports. Most of the top 25 'best' schools are found in Fairfield County. The full list can be found below. These Connecticut towns named most laid-back beach towns in the Northeast Meanwhile, Manchester High School was named the most diverse school. That ranking was determined by the schools' student racial diversity index, parent and student surveys on culture and diversity, the percent of economically disadvantaged, and gender diversity. The top 10 most diverse schools can be found listed below, along with a list of schools with the best teachers, which Niche determined using reviews from students and parents, plus academic and teacher data from the U.S. Department of Education. Best schools: Staples High School in WestportOverall Niche Grade: A+ New Canaan High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Darien High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Greenwich High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Wilton High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Ridgefield High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Center for Global StudiesOverall Niche Grade: A+ Avon High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Farmington High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Glastonbury High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Fairfield Warde High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy in East HartfordOverall Niche Grade: A+ Weston High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut in LearnOverall Niche Grade: A Conard High School in West HartfordOverall Niche Grade: A Daniel Hand High School in MadisonOverall Niche Grade: A Hall High School in West HartfordOverall Niche Grade: A Simsbury High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Cheshire High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Guilford High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A East Lyme High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Masuk High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A South Windsor High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Trumbull High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Fairfield Ludlowe High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Most diverse: Manchester High School Hamden High School Stratford High School Stamford High School Connecticut International Buccalaureate Academy in East Hartford Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University in East Hartford Global Experience Magnet School West Haven High School Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton Derby High School Best teachers: Staples High School in Westport Farmington High School New Canaan High School Greenwich High School E.O. Smith High School Center for Global Studies in Norwalk Wilton High School Avon High School Fairfield Warde High School Shepaug Valley School More information on the rankings can be found on Niche's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Associated Press
Vestian Appoints Jason Wuchiski as National Lead for Retail Group
CHICAGO, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestian, a global real estate advisory firm, today announced the appointment of Jason Wuchiski as National Lead for the company's Retail Group. In this expanded role, Wuchiski, Executive Managing Director, will now oversee Vestian's retail service offerings across the United States, developing the firm's national retail strategy and expanding client relationships. He previously served as Northeast Retail Lead for the company. 'Jason's proven leadership and extensive industry knowledge make him the ideal person to lead our retail practice nationally,' said Michael Silver, Chairman of Vestian. 'His track record of success in managing retail brokerage teams and developing strategic growth plans for national brands will be invaluable as we continue to expand our retail services across the country.' Wuchiski brings over 20 years of experience in the retail real estate sector to this position. During his career, he has exclusively represented more than 50 national and regional retailers and restaurants. His expertise includes developing and managing strategic expansion plans for numerous retail brands and overseeing the leasing of significant retail portfolios. 'I'm honored to take on this expanded role leading Vestian's retail practice nationally,' said Wuchiski. 'The retail landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and I look forward to working with our talented team across the country to deliver innovative solutions that help our clients optimize their real estate strategies in this dynamic environment.' Wuchiski will continue to be based in Vestian's Northeast office while assuming his new national responsibilities. For more information about Vestian's retail services, please visit About Vestian Vestian is a global corporate real estate services firm dedicated to providing end-to-end real estate solutions for businesses worldwide. With a commitment to transparency and innovation, Vestian helps ambitious companies align their real estate strategies with their business objectives. Offering a comprehensive suite of services including portfolio solutions, transaction management, advisory services, design & project services, and facility management, Vestian specializes in creating customized real estate strategies that drive operational efficiency, enhance workplace experiences, and support overall business growth. Serving a diverse range of industries including Office, Industrial, Retail, and Healthcare, Vestian partners with businesses of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to maximize the potential of their real estate assets globally. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Vestian
