Cheryl Keamy

Benedictine, an organization that cares for nearly 200 children and adults with developmental disabilities,  announced the appointment of Cheryl Keamy to its Foundation Board of Trustees.

Keamy, of Vienna, Va., is the owner of Innovative Concepts Unlimited, Inc., and has over 25 years of experience with market research and preparation of marketing proposals and implementation.

She is an American University and Wheaton College alumna with degrees in Public Policy and Government and Economics. Keamy currently serves on the boards of Wheaton College, The Wendt Center, Chords of Courage, and Women in the Arts. Before becoming a business owner in 1987, Keamy was the Director of Marketing for AARP.

The Benedictine Foundation supports priority projects including expanding educational resources and vocational training for students and adults.  The Foundation’s Board of Trustees oversees the Foundation’s mission, planning and assets. All members of the Board are volunteers with valuable expertise in educational, legal, public policy, corporate, marketing and other arenas.

“We are extremely happy and grateful that Ms. Keamy has joined our Board.  All of the professionals who have accepted the call to serve in these volunteer positions on our Board, are distinguished in their fields. We greatly appreciate their willingness to participate in the continued success of our organization as we strive to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.” stated Charles Mills, President of Benedictine’s Board of Trustees.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., will once again host Maryland Humanities’ Chautauqua Summer Series this year on July 8-10. These live, waterfront performances will be focused on the theme of Making Waves, with all performances taking place from 7-8:30pm on CBMM’s Fogg’s Landing. All performances are free and open to the public.

Chautauqua performances are historical dramatizations featuring individuals who are part scholar, part actor. Each performance has three acts: the first, where the performer represents the historical figure in the first person; the second, where they invite audience questions; and the final act, where the performer steps out of character in order to answer questions that the historical figure would not have been able to answer.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Chalkley

The 2019 Chautauqua Summer Series at CBMM is generously sponsored by Karen and Langley Shook, and is funded in part by a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council, with revenues provided by the Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot County, and the towns of Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels.

The series will begin on Monday, July 8, with Matthew Henson, a polar explorer, author, and craftsman, who was the first African-American to reach the North Pole. Keith Henley, a historic interpreter and actor, will portray the Maryland native.

On Tuesday, July 9, the series continues with Jacques Cousteau, an oceanographer, filmmaker, and scientist known for deep-sea exploration and his invention of the aqua-lung, which is responsible for the development of SCUBA diving. Cousteau was famous in the United States for his long-running television series revealing the underwater world, but deserves recognition for his roles as a French naval officer and resistance spy during WWII as well. He also is partially responsible for the modern tradition of environmental advocacy. He will be portrayed by Doug Mishler, an independent scholar and veteran Chautauquan.

July 10’s performance will feature Grace O’Malley, a 16^th century Irish Pirate Queen. O’Malley commanded ships, men, and the respect of Queen Elizabeth I during her rule on the seas. Known as the Sea Queen of Connaught and the Pirate Queen of Ireland, she commanded the West coast of Ireland and an entire fleet of ships during the 1500s. O’Malley proved herself a capable sailor and worker in the family business at a young age and so inherited ships, land, and cattle, wealth which she enlarged through trade, marriage, and piracy. She even faced down Queen Elizabeth I of England to defend her family and country. Mary Ann Jung will portray this daring woman.

“Chautauqua” was the name for the Chautauqua Lake area in Upstate New York. This region was the original home of the movement, beginning in 1874 as a Methodist summer retreat. The wide range of religious lectures and educational programs attracted a huge following. The Chautauqua movement evolved from there, presenting the latest in thinking in politics, economics, literature, science, and religion. Maryland Humanities launched the modern Chautauqua program in Maryland in 1995.

The Chautauqua Summer Series at CBMM invites guests to bring carry-on food and beverages, along with their own chairs and blankets for seating. All performances are held on the lawn of Fogg’s Landing near CBMM’s Steamboat Building, with convenient entry adjacent to parking. In the event of rain, performances will be held in the Van Lennep Auditorium, with space limited. No registration is required.

For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916. Additional information about the Chautauqua Summer Series can be found at mdhumanities.org.

Torrienne Emery, a recent graduate of Wye River Upper School in Centreville, MD has signed a Division II scholarship offer to play tennis for Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina.

Emery never lost a singles match while representing the Wye River Raptors tennis team. Emery was coached by Joe Brannegan at Wye River and privately by Coach Aime Ngounoue. Emery is ranked 70th out of 550 players in her high school region.

“Playing college tennis in the South has been a lifelong dream,” said Emery. “I am really excited to take my tennis to the next level at Southern Wesleyan. Wye River has done so much to help me academically. The people at school really helped make this dream a reality.”

Torienne Emery with Tamiiko and John Emery, her parents, Chrissy Aull, Founding Head of School, and Ron Vener, Athletic Director.

Torrie has been an invaluable asset to the Wye River community as a leader in athletics, a performer in theater and music programs, a dedicated scientist, and a coach to younger tennis players. Coach Brannegan honored her contributions and congratulated her for this outstanding achievement at a recent Awards Ceremony.

Wye River Upper School is an independent, coed, high school offering an engaging, and supportive curriculum for bright students with learning challenges including ADHD, dyslexia, and/or anxiety. Students who attend Wye River come from several Maryland counties including Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline, and Kent and accepts students on a rolling admissions basis. For more information visit wyeriverupperschool.org or contact kimberleighgarcia@wyeriverupperschool.org, 410.758.2922.

The Benedictine School held its annual graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 13, to celebrate the accomplishments of 13 students. The ceremony recognized the individual achievements of each graduate with a special award presentation. Parents, students and staff gathered on campus at the School’s updated community center. Previously convent space used by the Sisters, the chapel was used for the first time for this year’s graduation.

Those in attendance enjoyed an evening of hospitality as the culminating event of the school year. The ceremony included a live performance of the national anthem sung by staff member, Yvonne Duckery, a sign language routine performed by a group of volunteer staff, and a sentimental graduation video created by Teacher, Nick Fox. Special guests in attendance included Michael Arntz, representative from Congressman Andy Harris office, Dan Franklin, Vice President Caroline County Commissioners, and Wilbur Levengood, Commissioner Caroline County Commissioners.

Greensboro Pharmacy owner and pharmacist, Michelle Zdradzinski, was recognized during the event with The Community Award for her commitment to serving the students of Benedictine and always helping to meet special requests over the years.

Graduates from The Benedictine School were awarded a High School Certificate of Program Completion and will move on to adult life in their home communities.  This year’s class motto was “the world is our canvas” and staff wish them the best of luck.

L-R: Mary-Ann Milligan, Ben Franklin Crafts and Framing; Jonathan Crist, Art Teacher; Taylor Meredith, May EHS Artist of the Month; Catessa Cain, Easton High School Assistant Principal.

Easton High Senior Taylor Meredith has been recognized as the Ben Franklin Artist of the Month for May.

“Taylor excels in drawing, painting and digital artwork,” said Art Teacher Jonathan Crist. “The artwork chosen is a figurative oil painting done in alla prima painting technique.  Taylor understands colors, shape and light very well for her age.  The painting was done purely from observation over the course of four days.”Taylor will attend Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in the Fall.

Ben Franklin Crafts and Framing Center, in cooperation with Easton High Art Teachers, generously supports student Artists throught the Artist of the Month Program, and provides the winning students with a gift bag of art supplies and a gift card for the store.