Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were given the opportunity to participate in the 389th St. Mary’s City annual Maryland Day Celebration set for Saturday, March 25. A fourth grade student is selected annually through an essay contest to represent the school system and Charles County at the celebration. Students submitted essay responses to the prompt, “What makes Charles County a great place to live?” The finalist is selected by a panel of judges from the CCPS department of instruction who review and score all submissions for content, support and mechanics.
Fourth grader Elsie Gibney at Dr. James Craik Elementary School entered the essay contest and was selected to represent Charles County in the 389th Maryland Day Celebration. “When I found out I won the essay contest I was excited because my mom told me I was going to wave a flag in a parade,” Gibney said. She entered the contest when she heard about from her teacher because she wanted to see if she could do it.
In her essay, she brings her readers along for the ride to visualize Charles County from her lens in a creative illustration. “I am going to give you a tour of Charles County. Let’s hop in the car and start the tour,” Gibney said. She first takes her readers to the Indian Head Rail Trail describing the scenery, wildlife and fun things to do on the path. Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, is next on her list of things to do in the county right before talking about the exciting scenery at Turkey Hill Park. She mentions how she and her dad enjoy the disc golf course together at the park. “I enjoy doing all the fun activities with my family in the county,” she said.
“I was excited when I found out she won the contest,” Teresa Schinasi, Gibney’s fourth grade teacher at Craik, said. “She is a hardworking student, and I am very proud of her.”
“I am looking forward to going to the museum and looking at all the other cool things at the celebration,” Gibney said. As the Charles County representative, Gibney will present a flag before a podium of dignitaries during the flag ceremony at the Maryland Day Celebration on Saturday, March 25 at Historic St. Mary’s City at 1 p.m. Historic St. Mary’s City is located at 18751 Hogaboom Lane St. Mary's City , 20686.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).