UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
INCENTIVE AWARDS 2015 YEARBOOK
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INTRODUCING
THE CLASS OF 2019 Another cadre of outstanding high school students has been selected to participate in the University of Maryland Incentive Awards Program, designed to recognize and promote academic excellence and leadership among exceptional students from our partner high schools. In this, the 15th year of the program, we are proud to welcome this new class of scholars. Aganze Barongozi Digital Harbor High School
Jahi Jones Oxon Hill High School
Celia Barrientos Northwestern High School (Prince George’s County)
Darius Lawson Potomac High School
Jasmine Braxton Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Shashawnda Campbell Benjamin Franklin High School Ashley Clarke Baltimore School for the Arts Samariah Cooper Mergenthaler VocationalTechnical High School Brittany Eshun Central High School Dorrian Gross Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Corey Hart KIPP DC College Preparatory
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Katherine Medina Oxon Hill High School Jocelyn Nolasco Parkdale High School Olatunji Onigbanjo Parkdale High School Matilda Saines High Point High School Ajit Samra Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Annyi Santos Oxon Hill High School Quanielle Turner-Moore Western High School
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Aganze Barongozi Digital Harbor High School PEOPLE SAY: “Aganze has been an excellent, ambitious student and is self-motivated to perform at a high level. I saw countless examples of his intellectual curiosity at work. He was always one of the first students finished with the work and engaged in and curious about the conversation and material at hand. He has an excellent work ethic and can thrive in any situation, and I am confident that he will do the same at Maryland. I believe his unique perspective and ability to understand viewpoints different from his own make him a huge asset to your community.�
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Celia Barrientos Northwestern High School (Prince George’s County) SPECIAL HONOR: College Park Scholars PEOPLE SAY: “Celia is a student worthy of recognition. She is a
young woman of perseverance and dependability. She easily makes friends and can speak to individuals in all groups—a wonderful and mature characteristic. Celia is an excellent example of a person who is working hard to pursue her dreams. She understands that nothing in this world is given; rather, one must work hard to succeed. Her fine character and intelligence will serve her as a college student.”
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Jasmine Braxton Baltimore Polytechnic Institute SPECIAL HONOR: College Park Scholars PEOPLE SAY: “Jasmine is a determined, optimistic and ambitious student who is focused on taking full advantage of her educational experience. Jasmine is well-equipped to handle a rigorous course load, and the proof is in her academic record. I know that she will continue to tackle difficult courses and material, challenge herself and become an exceptional member of the Maryland community. She will be the first person in her family to graduate from college, and I have no doubt that she will shine academically as she transitions to higher learning. Simply put, Jasmine is the ideal student.�
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Shashawnda Campbell Benjamin Franklin High School PEOPLE SAY: “Shashawnda is one of the most thoughtful and passionate students I have met in my many years working with youth. She is dedicated to learning about the world around her, questions what she sees and takes thoughtful action to address problems. She is always the first to volunteer in all classroom and extracurricular activities. Because of her responsible nature, Shashawnda is often called upon to promote, lead and complete projects. She has the intellectual capacity, desire to learn and willingness to challenge herself that I believe will be the foundation of a successful academic career. She is truly extraordinary.�
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Ashley Clarke Baltimore School for the Arts PEOPLE SAY: “Ashley is a joy to be around. She is hysterically
funny, quick-witted and very bright and has a gentle soul. Her leadership developed from an early age because of her engaging personality, calm demeanor, flexibility, confidence and eagerness to explore new challenges. She has consistently sought out new opportunities, programs and experiences where she could grow in knowledge, cultural exposure and social skills. She does not take anything for granted but uses her intelligence, energy and creativity to benefit from her opportunities and to handle her responsibilities. The University of Maryland would be strengthened by her presence on campus.�
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Samariah Cooper Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School SPECIAL HONOR: CIVICUS PEOPLE SAY: “Samariah is the type of student who a teacher
may only get to teach once in a career. I have had the pleasure to teach her four times. She is a dynamic leader, advocating for the rights of herself and classmates, and constantly performing above expectations. She is wise beyond her years, a deep critical thinker and an engaged student, but more importantly, she cares deeply for others. Samariah embodies all the skills and qualities necessary for being a successful addition to your college community. She is an exceptional young woman and student and one who will do extremely well at Maryland and in life beyond.�
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Brittany Eshun Central High School PEOPLE SAY: “Brittany is an outgoing, genuinely nice person
who has worked hard to be a high-achieving student. I have seen many examples of her talent and have been impressed by her outstanding leadership and skill. She is able to complete tasks with favorable results despite deadline pressure. I could always depend on her to set the best example for other students. Brittany’s upbeat personality and focus keep her positive and thankful despite challenges. She is an amazing student who will bring light and positivity to your group.”
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Dorrian Gross Baltimore Polytechnic Institute PEOPLE SAY: “Dorrian is an admirable student with an amazing sense of humor. He can converse with his teachers on academic and personal levels. He often spent time discovering and learning new information in class, working at a problem until he grasped it, then joked with his teachers afterward. Through dedication and hard work, Dorrian has become a role model for other students. He is a well-rounded student who can adapt to challenging situations and utilize the resources around him to reach his highest potential. This priceless attribute will serve him well at the next level of education and beyond.�
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Corey Hart KIPP DC College Preparatory PEOPLE SAY: “Corey is a thoughtful and hardworking student
who makes significant contributions to the classroom. With quiet dedication, he perseveres in the face of challenges, taking advantage of every opportunity he has to better himself. Sincere and earnest, Corey asks honest and thoughtful questions that demonstrate his commitment to his academic development. His work ethic, eagerness to try new things and thirst to better understand the world will ensure that he will transition well into life as a college student. Most importantly, Corey is one of the kindest and most socially responsible students, unwilling to let any of his peers fall behind. He elevates his peers and the school community. He is going to be unstoppable.�
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Jahi Jones Oxon Hill High School PEOPLE SAY: “Jahi is a special, mature young man. By every
measure, he is indeed one of the most outstanding students that I have met. He has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and desires to share that knowledge with others. In class, he helps students who need it and tutors younger students during lunch and after school. He is exemplary, and his peers look to him for leadership. Despite his challenges, he has the most positive outlook on life. Jahi is very smart, capable and inquisitive and will accomplish whatever he sets his mind to do. He has much to offer and will enhance the Incentive Awards Program.�
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Darius Lawson Potomac High School PEOPLE SAY: “Darius is an ideal student and has an impact on everyone around him. He doesn’t give up or give in. Darius has the strength, mental toughness and persistence to overcome. He not only completes tasks, but he goes above and beyond to be extraordinary. Darius possesses excellent scholastic ability and impeccable character. He is energetic and positive. He is open to new ideas and very willing to take the lead into new directions, which indicates his adventurous spirit. He is highly respected by his teachers and his peers and will bring his enthusiasm, energy and a desire to achieve excellence to any organization.”
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Katherine Medina Oxon Hill High School SPECIAL HONOR: College Park Scholars PEOPLE SAY: “Katherine is the kind of student who always arrives to class in an appropriate manner, has a positive attitude toward learning, and has an unparalleled work ethic. She completes her assignments and projects in a timely and superior manner without complaint and demonstrates a level of maturity seldom found in students in her peer group. She has clear, meaningful goals and believes in her ability to achieve them. She recognizes that things may not always work out as planned, and she quickly adapts to changing situations.�
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Jocelyn Nolasco Parkdale High School SPECIAL HONOR: College Park Scholars PEOPLE SAY: “What first comes to mind about Jocelyn is
just the pure energy she brings to both the classroom and the activities in which she is involved. She is especially passionate about government and politics and is driven to help marginalized people and be a change agent for social issues in the community. Jocelyn is remarkable in her ability to take what she has learned to synthesize, apply and evaluate the implications across disciplines. She provides historical, scientific and literary contexts for her work and adds so much to lively classroom discussions. Jocelyn is fully prepared for the challenges a college has to offer. She has a bright and promising future.�
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Olatunji Onigbanjo Parkdale High School SPECIAL HONOR: College Park Scholars PEOPLE SAY: “Tunji has always had a thirst for knowledge, and it shows in his work ethic, grades and maturity. He is intellectual, focused and eloquent. He is affectionately known as “Steady Eddie” because he is one of the most consistent students. Tunji does not miss opportunities put in front of him. He wants to improve and is willing to work hard. He is extremely reliable and always turns in his work on time and makes sure it is done to a very high standard. Tunji is an impeccable student who is prepared for a rigorous college academic program.”
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Matilda Saines High Point High School PEOPLE SAY: “Matilda is optimistic, creative and humorous. She is a hard worker and believes that by furthering her education, she will have a successful future. She has maintained excellent grades while enrolled in accelerated courses. She is truly committed to her academic success, sets a standard of greatness and encourages others to aim to exceed expectations. I am confident that she is well prepared to embrace the many challenges and rigors of college.�
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Ajit Samra Baltimore Polytechnic Institute PEOPLE SAY: “Ajit’s positive attitude makes him an asset
in class. He believes in other students and truly listens to their ideas, and if no one is willing to speak up, he is the one who will get the ball rolling. He is open to new ideas and opportunities, and when passionate about a subject, he is voracious to learn more. Ajit’s work was always meticulously done, and it was clear that he spent a lot of time and effort on it. I have no doubt that he will be successful in whatever endeavors he decides to pursue. He will be a welcome addition to any collegiate student body.”
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Annyi Santos Oxon Hill High School PEOPLE SAY: “Annyi is a serious, hard-working and independent student. She constantly challenges herself to get to that next level. I have had the privilege to see this young woman grow from a timid and shy newcomer to a strong and developed leader. Though she is still a bit on the shy side, Annyi knows what she wants and that has helped her to break out of her shell. I believe she can even surpass her own wildest dreams. There is nothing that Annyi Santos cannot do.�
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Quanielle Turner-Moore Western High School SPECIAL HONOR: College Park Scholars PEOPLE SAY: “Quanielle demonstrates a passion for learning, a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, all contributing to her strong academic record. She is an inquisitive young woman who is not content to blindly accept the facts or opinions of others. She often arrived in class with well-developed questions or hypotheses based on supplemental knowledge she had gained by delving deeper than we had in class. Her thoughtful comments spurred lively class discussions and modeled the joys of learning to her peers. Quanielle is a delightful young woman with numerous qualities that will make her an excellent candidate for your program.�
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For more information about the program and giving opportunities, please contact: University of Maryland Incentive Awards Program Jacqueline W. Lee, Director 1103 Cole Student Activities Building College Park, MD 20742 301.405.9024 Or visit umincentiveawards.umd.edu. facebook.com/UMIAP UMD_IAP
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