Two members of the Easton High School Class of 2022 have completed apprenticeships through the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Matthew Cauffman, an Easton High School Culinary Arts Program graduate, completed an Apprenticeship with The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels. A premiere eastern shore Resort nestled on the banks of the Miles River, the Inn offers a surprising number of unique spaces for ceremonies, receptions and honeymoons.

“Matt, Has been an absolute delight to have in the kitchen. He started off as a quite shy young man and has really bloomed into a strong culinarian,” said Gregory James, Executive Chef, and Matt’s supervisor. “He has found his voice and now is one of our best cooks, and has learned new stations and has a super positive deposition. When I look at Matt, I no longer see a high school student, I see a future leader of our kitchen.”

One of the best things the program teaches is a great work ethic, Cauffman explained in a recent interview. “You have to manage your time between schoolwork, classes, and coming to work for extensive hours,” he explains. “You have to dedicate yourself to it. It has taught good work ethic, which I think is good for a lot of young people.”After graduating, Matt has continued his promising career at Inn at Perry Cabin.

Photo: Matthew Cauffman (right) an Easton High School Culinary Arts Program graduate, completed an Apprenticeship with The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels under the direction of Gregory James, Executive Chef (left). 

William Burgess completed his apprenticeship with The Whalen Company as an Engineering Apprentice. Headquartered in Easton, The Whalen Company is one of America’s most innovative leaders in the commercial heating and air conditioning industry.  Will plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Engineering.

“Will worked with the Whalen Engineering Lab Technicians building prototype water source heat pumps and preparing them for performance testing.  These tasks included part fabrication, copper pipe brazing, electrical wiring, component assembly, and instrumentation for data acquisition,” explained Michael Colletti, Vice President of Engineering. “He assisted with installing the equipment in the test lab and conducting performance testing.  Will also helped with field returns failure analysis and assembly for the production lines.”

“The hands on skills learned in our Engineering Lab can be a valuable stepping stone for any student desiring to pursue a career in HVAC service and installation,” Mr. Colletti added. “For a student like Will who is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree and is working towards a career in Mechanical Engineering, this experience provides valuable insight into the practical side of Engineering work.”

“Working with Whalen has been a pleasure and an incredible experience,” Burgess said in his final presentation. “Not many people my age are given such amazing opportunities.  The engineering team at Whalen understood that I wanted to absorb as much information as humanly possible, and made sure that I did.”

“We are so grateful to these local employers, who have gone above and beyond to provide quality apprenticeship opportunities for our students,” said Mrs. Danielle Haley, TCPS School-to-Career Specialist. “These successes are a testament to their commitment to the Apprenticeship Maryland program and to building our future workforce.”

The Apprenticeship Maryland Program is a collaboration between the Maryland Department of Labor, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Department of Commerce, participating school systems, and community business and educational partners.  Founded in 2015 as a pilot in Frederick and Washington Counties, the program expanded to Talbot and Queen Anne’s Counties early in 2019.

The program is intended to allow high school juniors and seniors to develop valuable job skills and get a head start on future careers.   At the same time, the goal is to support Maryland businesses by training talented, highly skilled workers, a much-needed resource.  “The Maryland Youth Apprenticeship program is a wonderful partnership,” explains Robin Werner, TCPS Career and Technology Education Supervisor.  ‘It provides Eastern Shore students the opportunity to work with professionals in their area of interest to help guide them as they begin to make future career choices.”

Youth apprenticeship program students work at least 450 hours with an approved employer, while receiving related educational training and an hourly wage. The students can begin working with a state-approved employer during the summer after their junior year in high school.

The county school systems coordinate student placements with local businesses. Talbot County students who are interested in becoming an apprentice may contact Danielle Haley, School-to-Career Specialist at danielle.haley@talbotschools.org. Employers wishing to participate in the program should contact Robert Zimberoff, Eastern Shore Apprenticeship & Training Navigator at robert.zimberoff@maryland.gov.

The Talbot County Board of Education approved the appointment of William E. “T.J.” Thompson, V to the position of Assistant Principal, Easton High School, effective July 1, 2022.

Mr. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Salisbury University, is certified at the Administrator II level.  He began his career teaching 5^th grade in Dorchester County, where he has served as an Assistant Principal since the Fall of 2020.

His additional leadership experience includes serving as IEP Chair, PBIS Administrator, School Improvement Administrator, Summer Academy Lead Administrator, and School & County Discipline Committee Chair.  He is the Grand National Waterfowl Association Vice President, and has been an Assistant Lacrosse Coach for Cambridge South Dorchester High School.

“We are excited that Mr. Thompson is joining the TCPS Team,” said Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.“We look forward to seeing his skills and experience at work for the benefit of Easton High students and staff.”

The Easton High’s It’s Academic Team placed 1st out of eight teams in the Eastern Shore Academic Invitational held at Wor-Wic College in Salisbury. Each match consisted of four rounds including toss-up questions, bonus questions, a category round, and “stump the experts” questions (more difficult toss-up questions). The Eastern Shore high school teams that participated were Easton High, Stephen Decatur, Parkside, Wicomico High, Perryville, Pocomoke, Salisbury Christian, and Salisbury School. Easton finished with an undefeated record!

Each year Easton High It’s Academic traditionally competes twice per year (fall and spring) in the national online Questions Unlimited 3-2-1 tournament.  This is a tournament of about 150 questions where teams score more points if they answer the questions correctly with LESS clues about the answer (three points answering correctly after one clue, two points after two clues, one point after 3 clues, and zero if answered incorrectly after all clues are given). Easton placed 28th nationwide (out of 162 total schools)in the Fall 3-2-1 online tournament and 1st in the state of Maryland. In the Spring 3-2-1 online tournament, they placed 11th nationwide (out of 119 total schools) and 1st in the state of Maryland. Their high scores in the online 3-2-1 tournaments qualified them for the National Academic Championship.

The 2021-2022 Easton High It’s Academic Team included the following students: Bechorah Aguoru, Calvin Bui, Desmond Fitzroy, Harrison Fike, David Gardner, Anna “Vee” Lesher, Daniel Rivera-Morales, Colin Smith, and William “Sy” Orndoff

Mr. Jeremy Hillyard, Spanish Teacher, has coached the Easton High It’s Academic team since 2011, when he reinstated the team to EHS. The team relies on fundraisers and private donations in order to attend tournaments. If you would like to support Easton High It’s Academic with a please contact Jeremy Hillyard at jhillyard@talbotschools.org.

Talbot County Public Schools is providing free meals to children Mondays through Thursdays from June 27 through July 28, as part of the USDA-funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Meals are available to all young people 18 or under, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), or disability. A person 19 years of age and over who has a mental or physical disability (as determined by a State or local educational agency) and who participates during the school year in a public or private non-profit school program (established for children with disabilities) is also eligible to receive meals. Meals must be consumed onsite – no pickup of meals is available.

Meals are available at the following locations and times:

Easton Elementary School
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

St. Michaels Elementary School
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Easton Middle School
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Talbot County Public Schools began celebrating and thanking their Community Partners at an annual breakfast prepared by the Easton High Culinary Arts Program in 2016. A District Community Partner of the Year is recognized, as well as a partner of the year for each school and one for the Internship Program. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Dr. Griffith and school Administrators continued the recognition by visiting each recipient personally to deliver awards and breakfast baskets prepared by culinary students in lieu of hosting the large gathering. During the visits, TCPS leaders share testimonials about how the partnerships make a difference in the lives of students and staff. This tradition continued this year with visits and presentations throughout the month of May.

“We could not do what we do for the children of Talbot County without the support of our generous community,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent.“Now more than ever, our community partners give so much to our students and staff. Every year we like to take this opportunity to give back, and thank them for their partnership.”

The Talbot County Public Schools Community Partners of the Year for 2022 are:

Choptank Community Health System, Inc.- District Community Partner of the Year

Talbot County Chamber of Commerce- Internship

Carrion Electric- Chapel District Elementary

For All Seasons, Inc. – Easton Elementary

Avalon Foundation- Easton Middle

Lowe’s Home Improvement, Easton- Easton High

St. Michaels Police Department- St. Michaels Elementary

Ed and Debbie Trumbull- St. Michaels Middle High

Brackish Life- Tilghman Elementary

Walmart, Easton- White Marsh Elementary

Easton High and Saint Michaels Middle High schools have announced preliminary achievement results for the graduating class of 2022. A total of 333 students received diplomas or certificates, 276 from Easton High and 57 from St. Michaels Middle High.  Of the students receiving diplomas, the school district reports that224 plan to enter a two- or four-year college or technical school,87 will enter directly into the workforce and a record high 17 will serve our country in the military.

Of the TCPS Class of 2022 diploma graduates:

• 177 (54%) completed at least one Advanced Placement course before graduating.
• 76 (23%) students earned credit for at least one dual enrollment course at the community college level.
• 129 (39%) seniors fulfilled requirements for at least one Career and Technology Education Completer program, with 14 student students completing more than one.
• The composite SAT score was 1051 for math and critical reading.
• TCPS graduates were awarded a total of $18,862,603in scholarships, with $861,948 in local scholarships.
• The preliminary graduation rate for TCPS high schools is 97.03% with a drop-out rate of just.60%.

“These graduates have persevered through a very challenging time for students and educators.” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, TCPS Superintendent.“Their successes are a direct result of their talent, determination, and resilience, and the dedication and support of our staff. I congratulate the class of 2022 for their outstanding results. I am very proud of them all and wish them continued success in their next endeavor in college, career or military service.”

The list of colleges and universities to which TCPS students were accepted includes highly competitive colleges and universities focused on liberal arts and science and technology, military academies, and art, culinary and technical institutes.  The complete list is as follows:

Albion College
Alfred University
Allegheny College
Appalachian State
Arcadia University
Auburn University
Automotive Training Center(ATC)
Bates College
Belmont University
Boston College
Boston University
Bowie State University
Bradley University
Bridgewater College
Butler University
Capitol Technology University
Catholic University
Catholic University of America
Cedarville University
Champlain College
Chesapeake and Regent University
Chesapeake College
Christopher Newport University
Clark Atlanta University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
College of Notre Dame
College of William and Mary
Colorado State University
Converse University
Delaware Valley University
Drexel University
Duquesne University
East Carolina University
Edinboro University
Elizabethtown College
Elon University
Emory and Henry College
Endicott College
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Institute of Technology
Frostburg State University
Furman University
Gannon University
Gardner- Webb University
Geneva College
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia Tech
Goucher College
Hampton University
High Point University
Hofstra University
Hood College
Howard University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Iowa State University
James Madison University.
Juniata College
Kansas University
Laboratory Institute of Merchandising College
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Liberty University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University of Maryland
Marist College
Maryland Institute College of Art
Marymount University
McDaniel College
MD State Police Cadet Program
Mercyhurst University
Methodist University
Miami University
Michigan State University
Millersville University
Morgan State University
Mount St Mary’s University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
Newman University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina State University
Northwestern University
Norwich University
Notre Dame of MD
Nova Southeastern University
Ohio University
Old Dominion University
Pace University
Palm Beach University
Penn State Mont Alto
Penn State University
Penn State- University Park
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Purdue University
Quinnipac University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
Salisbury University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Seton Hall
Shepherd University
Shippensburg University
Slippery Rock
South Carolina University
St. Johns College
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
State University of New York (SUNY)
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevenson University
Stony Brook University
Susquehanna University
Temple University
Texas Christian U
Towson University
Transylvania University
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Dallas
University of Dallas – Arlington
University of Dayton
University of Delaware
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Lynchburg
University of Maine
University of Maryland Baltimore County
University of Maryland College Park
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts-Boston
University of Massachusetts
University of Miami
University of Mississippi
University of Montana
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
University of New Hampshire
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina Charlotte
University of North Carolina Greensboro
University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of North Florida
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rhode Island
University of Scranton
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Tampa
University of Vermont
University of West Florida
University of Wyoming
Ursinus College
Utah State University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Tech
Virginia Wesleyan University
Washington College
Washington University in St. Louis
Waynesburg University
West Chester University
West Virginia University
Western Carolina University
Widener University
Wilson college
Winthrop University
Xavier University
York College of Pennsylvania

What do you get when you combine watermelon, a “story stroll”, 600 Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten students, and a librarian? Pure Joy! That is what happened in Talbot County during the month of Maywhenfive public elementary schools held Raising A Reader Blue Bag Bashes. All PreK and Kindergarten students participated in a program called Raising A Reader, an evidence-based family engagement literacy program designed specifically for young children and their developing brains. The program aims to substantially increase the number of families who frequently and routinely share picture books and stories with their children. Each week young learners take home red bags containing four high-quality diverse books. Loving adults “book-cuddle” with children to encourage development of early language and literacy skills that are critical for academic and life success.

“Our family loves the Raise a Reader program. Our daughter Jordan is so excited to get new books to read every week. We put all the books out and read each title and then let Jordan decide which one she wants to read first. After we read all the books Jordan will grab two books and ask us which one we want to read.” says one Easton parent, highlighting the importance of fostering intrinsic reading motivation. “Children are more likely to enjoy something that they see their families enjoying. Bonding over books encourages young children to form positive associations with books and reading now that will carry through later in life,” says Katie Fox, a program co-coordinator.

“Usually, at the end of the school year, PreK students celebrate the program’s culmination by taking a field trip to the library. They receive their library card, a blue library book bag to keep, tour the library, listen to a story, and check out books. It’s so exciting and meaningful. Supporting families in enhancing or establishing home-based literacy routines is the most important part of this program. The library is the cornerstone of that.” explained Amy Walstrum, the other program co-coordinator. “But COVID made us think differently about providing access to the program and to the library. Our current Kindergarteners missed out completely last year. We felt compelled to include them somehow in the program. I mentioned it at a Talbot Early Childhood Advisory Council (TECAC) meeting. Our Judy Centers jumped on the opportunity to provide the classic red bag rotation for our Kindergarten students in Easton and St. Michaels and local funds were prioritized for our three other schools. We more than doubled the number of families engaged in the program. We also expanded the program at Critchlow Adkins Childcare Centers to include two and three year-old’s! It was a very productive TECAC meeting.” The site coordinator of the St. Michaels Judy Center, Genevra Farrare adds, “Our kids and their families have missed out on so much. Stepping up to expand this literacy program is everything The Judy Center stands for. Partnering in this way is the least we can do to support our children and their families.”

For most of the year field trips were not allowed due to the pandemic, so Fox and Walstrum worked to bring the library celebration to the schools. Students rotated between three read-aloud stations including a “story stroll”, a snack, and blue bag presentations by the librarians. “It was so fun. The kids were so engaged. It was amazing to see them so happy about receiving their blue bags and library cards.” says Sue Tucker, a Kindergarten teacher at White Marsh Elementary.

The Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) staff processed over 400 Library cards! “We designed a specific bi-lingual library card application. 80% of our PreK and K students now have their very own library cards along with their very own blue library book bag,” says Fox. “It’s nothing short of amazing and speaks volumes to the dedication TCFL has to our young readers and their families.”

The program was a massive success due to the collaboration among many community partners; The Judy Centers of Easton and St. Michaels, University of Maryland Extension Office SNAP-Ed, Chapel District PTO, Tilghman Area Youth Association, The Talbot Family Network, and of course the Talbot County Free Library.

“We dedicated May as Blue Bag Month. Families started showing up at the library immediately after the first bash.” Says Laura Powell, the TCFL’s Children’s Librarian. “The children are so excited to complete the scavenger hunt, choose a prize, register for our summer reading program, and most importantly, check out books!”

A St. Michaels parent sums up the incredible impact of this program, “I knew how much my older son enjoyed Raise a Reader when he was in PreK, so I was thrilled to have Sadie experience it this year in Kindergarten. We love visiting the library as a family and she was so excited to receive her own library card. Her blue bag hangs proudly in our entryway at home!”

The Easton Middle School Chapter of The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) held a ceremony to induct new members for the 2021-2022 school year.

NJHS recognizes outstanding middle school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) officially established NJHS in 1929, eight years after it founded National Honor Society for high school students.

Students who qualify must submit an application and essay, and are selected based on the five criteria.  Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through
active involvement in school activities and community service.

The current officers of the Easton Middle School Chapter of NJHS are Addison Eader, President; Samantha Townsend, Vice President; Lily Secrist, Secretary; My’A Johnson, Treasurer; Mary Claire O’Connor, Historian.  Mrs. Lindsay Matthews, Social Studies Teacher, serves as Advisor for the club.

The 2021-2022 inductees are as follows:

Fall Inductees

8^th Grade

Madelyn Abbatiello, Ella Ball, Kali Gregory, Megan Kirby, Miranda Stup, Gemma Vogel

Spring Inductees

8th Grade

Cayce Allen, Ali Bahar, Dustin Blue, Annalyn Crist, Jada Drummond, Eliot Hunter-Watts, Briana Ocampo-Serrano, Destiny Strawberry, Ryan Tate, Serenity Velez, Toren Willis

7th Grade

Claire Adelman, Paige Bodle, Miles Chaney, Hunter Colombo, Charlotte Cordeiro, Carolyn Crist, Sean Curry, Hannah Dahlen, Austin Eader, Caroline Fink, Corey Fisher, Emmett Fox, Finley Golden, Shiza Gondal, Cassidy Gwin, Samantha Haas, Ella Hines, Landon Hollingsworth, Jordan Horsey, Chandan Hosamani, KJ Howie, Christopher Jackson, Cruze Janes, Abigail Jobeck, Morgan Kelly, Maddie Knight, Alexander Knopp, Addison Knox, Nicholas Lesher, Oliver Lloyd, Paige Marion, Anthony Melendez-Martinez, Nergiz Mentese, Adeline Moore, Jonah Morris, Cole Murphy, Heaven Murray, Luke Myers, Charlotte Newman, Penelope Nowak, Alison Ocampo-Serrano, Riley Pedersen, Stella Petrichenko, Benjamin Phillips, Nicole Phillips, Brooklyn Pierce, Ryann Quicke, John Seymour, Kyleigh Simpkins, Daniel Smith, Gabby Smith, Maxwell Smith, Georgia Spies, Avery Stamerro, Annie Straczewski, Chloe Swartz, Elena Szwaja, Ava Thomas, Ava Timms, Sterling Washington, Jordyn Wilson-Colbert, Kylee Zajac

The Talbot County Board of Education approved several administrative appointments for the 2022-2023 school year at a special meeting held on May 31.

Ms. Kelly Murdoch will become Principal of Easton Middle School, as Dr. Jodi Colman has accepted a position out of the county.  Ms. Murdoch has served as Principal of Tilghman Elementary School since 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Master of Arts in English (ESOL) from Salisbury University, and she is certified at the Administrator II level.  She began her career in education at Fort Worth Independent School district where she taught first grade.  She joined TCPS in 1999 as a teacher at White Marsh Elementary, where she remained until 2014.  She held the role of Administrative Intern at both White Marsh and Chapel District Elementary and was Assistant Principal at Easton Elementary.

Mr. Corey Devaric has been promoted to Principal of Tilghman Elementary School. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from York College, a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Wilmington University, and is certified at the Administrator II level. After coming to Talbot County in 1998, Mr. Devarictaught multiple grades at Chapel District Elementary, Easton Elementary and White Marsh Elementary. He has served as an administrator at Easton Middle, Chapel District Elementary and Easton High.

Ms. Nicole Sherrod-Hill will replace Mr. Devaric as Assistant Principal of Easton High School. Ms. Sherrod-Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Carlow University, a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Administration from McDaniel College, and holds a Maryland Advanced Professional License, Administrator II.  She has more than 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher in Maryland school districts, including teaching third grade at White Marsh Elementary. She gained leadership experience in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina as a School Wide Academic Facilitator, Project Lead the Way Administrator, Instructional Coach and Grade Level Administrator.

Ms. Ashley Quicke will assume the role of  Administrative Intern at Easton Middle School. Ms. Quicke has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Liberal Arts and Technology from Stevenson University, a Master of Science in Education: Mathematics K-6 from Walden University, and she is currently pursuing Administrative Certification.  She was an elementary classroom teacher and Dean of Students for Dorchester County Public Schools from 2006 – 2020. She joined the TCPS team as a 7^th grade mathematics teacher at Easton Middle for the 2020-2021 school year.

“These experienced leaders will have a tremendous impact on the learning environment, and overall school culture and community,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent of Schools.  “Their enthusiasm and commitment to our mission will be an asset in these essential leadership positions.”

Three Talbot County Destination Imagination (DI) Teams will travel to Kansas City, Missouri to participate in the Global Finals.  The teams are managed by volunteers and are seeking community support to help cover the costs, which include a $5,500 registration fee per team, and travel and lodging expenses. Their fundraising efforts have included donations from other community organizations, corporate sponsorships, and participation in pit beef sales, bake sales and other events.

The teams competed at DI tournaments where they presented their Team Challenge solutions for feedback and scores. Each Team’s scores from their Team Challenge are then ranked against others solving the same Challenge in their level. Top placing teams are invited to the next tournament in their Affiliate or to DI’s Global Finals, whichever comes next. A total of 45 students participated in DI this year.

Three Talbot County teams placed 1^st at the Maryland State Tournament and will advance to Globals.

The Easton Middle School team is the“EMS DI Squids”: Reagen Cain, Maddie Biringer, Violet Masone, Emme Aleman, and Alden Gibbons-Neff, all current 6^th graders. Their Team Manager is Kim Gibbons-Neff.  The team chose the Fine Arts Challenge this year.  They had to create a story that involved a trickster who had to overcome. a tricky situation, as well as design a costume transformation and have an illusion that enhanced their story.

The Senior Level St. Michaels High School DI Team is, “SMHS Henckel & the 1st Borns”: Sophie Anderson, Sean Gunshenan, Paige Simonsen, Mackenzie Fox, Nathan Henckel, and JT Lizewski. The Team Managers are Kate Fox and Amy Anderson. They came up with a solution to the Scientific challenge called “Up Close.”

The St. Michaels Middle School DI team that came in 1^st was “SMMS DI & the Seven Saints:” Miles Fox, Tyler Murphy, Ryley Beers, Brody McDaniel, Ethan Royer, Johnny Mautz & Sebastian Cornish, all in 8^th grade. Team Managers are Kim Beers & Rebecca Mautz. They came up with a solution to the Service Learning Project Outreach challenge called “For the Future”.

According to the organization’s website, “The Destination Imagination global community is united by a core belief that when students have the freedom to grow and collaborate without boundaries, their confidence explodes and the world opens up to them in new ways. We enable this transformation by providing challenges rooted in STEAM subjects that inspire unique solutions through the use of the creative process.  Through STEAM challenges and teamwork,DI participants learn the 21st Century skills necessary to become lifelong problem solvers who are inspired to innovate and create solutions to real-world challenges quickly and collaboratively.”

“With the cost of Globals being what it is, we can only afford to send our first place teams even though others qualified,” said DI Coordinator, Sharon Rieck.  “Some of our students would not have the opportunity to be exposed to a worldwide event otherwise or may never have the opportunity to meet and interact with children from other countries,” she added. “The Global Finals experience can provide them with a reason to learn about other cultures they may have discussed in a classroom setting. The teamwork and collaboration skills learned through DI may only be touched upon in the classroom but are brought home in full force through our project.”

If you would like to support the Talbot County DI Teams, please contact Kim Gibbons-Neff at kneff@talbotschools.org for the Easton Middle School team and/or Sharon Rieck at hsr596@me.com for the St. Michaels teams.