Lists just keep on coming and one list that just came out a couple weeks ago — the U.S. News Best High Schools — contained over 21,000 schools across the country. They were evaluated on how well the students performed on state assessment tests and how well they prepared their students for college.
Making it into the top half of the list is a good goal. Having a Howard County high school in the top 1,000 is even better.
How about 11 in the top 100?
That's right, 11 Howard County high schools made the list. Reservoir High School came in at number 33. That's awesome. To be fair, seven other county high schools came in ahead of them in the list (but who's counting?). Congratulations to Principal Pat Saunderson and his staff of the dedicated teachers for all they do for our students.
Speaking of Reservoir teachers, here's a "list" of those that were recognized with HCPSS service awards: Ken Klock (40 years), Gisela Cooke (20 years), James Mackin (20 years), Eric Ebersole (35 years), Andre Beaudoin (15 years), Marian Boring (15 years), Greg English (15 years) and Colin O'Bryan (15 years).
Another "list" is the one that contains those staff members that will be retiring after this school year: Eric Ebersole, Murchison James, Elise Jordan, Ken Klock, Russ Wentworth, and Karen Wolfe! Principal Pat wrote that these folks will take with them "more than 150 years of combined service as educators". That's a lot of teaching and life experience. Congratulations.
Finally, three other Reservoir staff members received county awards. Michelle Wilder, Health Assistant, received a Citizen Award from the Howard County Police Department "for courageous assistance in life saving efforts". Gisela Cooke, ESOL Para-educator and Community Service Coordinator, was recognized with an award from the Howard County Department of Citizen Services for "going above and beyond" over many years to help students get involved in community service projects throughout Howard County.
And, School Resource Officer Jason Hall was recognized by the Department of Citizen Services for "his outstanding efforts in building relationships with students through volunteering in after school activities, such as coaching soccer, officiating allied sports events, and attending community events to support our students".
Congratulations to each of them for their outstanding service to our community.