Maryland Higher Education Commission

September 2006 Press Release

 

 

 

 

MARYLAND STUDENTS FROM ALL 24 JURISDICTIONS TO BE RECOGNIZED
AT DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR CEREMONY

 

 

Annapolis, MD (September 11, 2006) – More than 830 students will be named finalists and semifinalists in Maryland’s Distinguished Scholar Recognition Ceremony, Saturday, September 16, 2006 in the Retriever Activities Center on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland. More than 1,000 students and parents will attend the event.

Each year, MHEC honors Maryland’s best and brightest high school seniors who have met the stringent requirements of the Distinguished Scholar Program. The daylong event featured performances and exhibits by some of the State’s most talented high school students, workshops on financial aid, and opportunities for students to learn about Maryland colleges and universities, and a recognition ceremony.

The afternoon will feature an art exhibition, showcase of the performing arts, followed by a recognition ceremony. Secretary Calvin W. Burnett, Maryland Higher Education Commission, Secretary Kristen Cox, Department of Disabilities, and President Freeman Hrabowski, UMBC will serve as guest speakers.

The Distinguished Scholar Program offers $3,000 a year for four years to the State’s top high school students as an incentive for them to go to college in Maryland. Application for the
scholarship is made during the student’s junior year in high school. Applicants in the achievement category who must have an unweighted grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale are ranked on the basis of GPA and SAT/PSAT/ACT test scores. Students nominated in the talent category (vocal and instrumental music, dance, drama, and visual arts) must audition before a panel of professionals. National Merit and National Achievement finalists, identified in their senior year in high school, are automatically eligible for the scholarship.

The $4.2 million program provides 350 new scholarships each year plus continuing awards to students who maintain a 3.0 GPA in college. The scholarship can be used for any college-related expense at any degree-granting institution in Maryland.

Finalists and Semi-Finalists by County:

Allegany County 6

Anne Arundel County 48

Baltimore City 20

Baltimore County 129

Calvert County 11

Caroline County 3

Carroll County 36

Cecil County 3

Charles County 3

Dorchester County 3

Frederick County 60

Garrett County 2

Harford County 21

Howard County 91

Kent County 2

Montgomery County 313

Prince George’s County 33

Queen Anne’s County 3

Saint Mary’s County 6

Somerset County 2

Talbot County 2

Washington County 11

Wicomico County 12

Worcester County 3
 

Schedule of events

Noon - 4 p.m.           Visual Arts Exhibit

1:00 p.m.                   Showcase of Performing Arts

2:00 p.m.                   Recognition Ceremony

3:00 p.m.                   College Fair

3:15 p.m.                   Financial Aid Session

Editor’s note: The best photo opportunities are at 1 and 2 p.m.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is Maryland’s higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and for private career schools.