Faraday Okoro, a 2005 graduate of Parkdale High School in Riverdale Park, was awarded a $1 million grant at the recent Tribeca Film Festival for his film, “Nigerian Prince.”
Okoro, listed as one of MovieMaker magazine’s top 25 screenwriters to watch in 2016, received the award in April as one of AT&T’s Untold Stories grantees.
Okoro co-wrote his new film with fellow Parkdale student Andrew Long who graduated in 2007. The pair first collaborated on their award-winning 2014 film, “Full-Windsor.”
School Wins Redskins 5K Run
Judith P. Hoyer Montessori School in Landover took home the first-place prize on April 29 after participating in the Washington Redskins Draft Day Dash 5-K Run.
The school will be presented at a later date with a $10,000 check by a Redskins player.
Valedictorians, Salutatorians Honored
The Class of 2017 Valedictorians — the county’s top students from 27 high schools — was recognized this week for their academic achievements at the annual PGCPS dinner.
The event took place May 15 at Martin’s Camelot in Upper Marlboro.
Summer Programs
PGCPS summer programs offer students opportunities for acceleration, enrichment, credit recovery or original credit.
The 2017 Summer Programs Guide can be used to review available options and for learning how to apply. Program availability will depend on enrollment, and because space may be limited, students should apply early.
For more details, consult with school counselors or contact the Summer Programs Office at 301‐808‐1124.
Lottery Results
The PGCPS Charter School Lottery for the 2017-18 academic year has ended and the results are now available.
Participating students and their parents should receive a copy of their initial lottery results via US postal mail. Placement offers will be made until Sept. 30.
The results are updated on a continuous basis, as acceptance and refusal of placement offers are recorded.
Persons in need of assistance can email inquiries to: charter.lotteryforms@pgcps.org.
Scholars of the Week
Bema Angela Catriz Tabaday and Allana Armour are PGCPS Scholars of the Week.
Bema, a senior at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro, has a 4.21 grade point average. Her course load includes Advanced Placement English Literature, English Language, Statistics and Government.
A member of the National Honor Society, Bema has participated on a winning team at the International Robo Rave Competition in Espanola, New Mexico.
She loves to sing and write music and plays the guitar, drums and ukulele – and dreams of someday opening a restaurant.
The aspiring nurse practitioner plans to attend Bowie State University.
Allana, a senior at Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, has a 3.76 grade point average. With a current course load that includes Advanced Placement Government, World History, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Spanish 4, she aspires to become a veterinarian.
Allana serves as National Honor Society president, Student Government Association vice president, yearbook editor, National Art Society member and Latinas Leading Tomorrow class representative.
In addition to participating in the Upward Bound Math and Science Program, Allana volunteers at Paw Prints Animal Clinic. She will attend Wilson College to major in veterinary medical technology.