Semifinalists

Two seniors from Washington County Public Schools have been named 2009 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. Margaret Margrabe of Boonsboro High School and Christopher Bradford of North Hagerstown High School are among approximately 16,000 students nationwide who have earned standing as National Merit semifinalists. They will compete for more than $35 million in scholarship awards next spring. Margrabe is the daughter of William and Elizabeth Margrabe. She considers mathematics her favorite subject and scored a 5 on the Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam.

Miss Allegany County Louise Schlegel was crowned Miss Maryland 2008 at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown Saturday. A pair of Hagerstown residents - Whitney Columbo, Miss Cumberland, and Gretchen Schoeck, Miss Black Eyed Susan - were among the 10 semifinalists named the beginning of Saturday night's competition. Miss Washington County, Christie Ganoe of Cumberland, Md., was not among the top 10 semifinalists.

Four local students are among 1,600 black high school seniors who have been designated semifinalists in the 44th annual Achievement Scholarship competition, according to a National Achievement Scholarship Program press release. Maura C. Rose, a senior at Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md.; Mikhael R. King, a senior at Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.; and Sijibomi Ibikunle and Trenton A. Woodham, both seniors at Mercersburg (Pa.) Academy, are local finalists, according to the release.

Nine Washington County Public Schools students and two local private school students were among 800 students named finalists and semifinalists in Maryland's Distinguished Scholar Recognition ceremony Saturday in Reitz Arena on the campus of Loyola College in Baltimore, according to a Maryland Higher Education Commission press release. The recognition program honors Maryland high school seniors who have met the stringent requirements of the Distinguished Scholar Program. The daylong event featured performances and exhibits by high school students, workshops on financial aid, opportunities for students to learn about Maryland colleges and universities, and a recognition ceremony.

HAGERSTOWN-Miss Allegany County Shana Powell was crowned the new Miss Maryland on Saturday during the 72nd annual Miss Maryland Scholarship Pageant at The Maryland Theatre. As the new Miss Maryland, Powell, of Bowie, Md., will receive a $9,000 scholarship and other gifts. She also will represent the state at the upcoming Miss America pageant. For her talent, Powell performed "Glitter and Be Gay" from the operetta "Candide" - the same performance that earned her the $200 Newcomer Talent prize at Wednesday's preliminary competition.

Miss Allegany County Shana Powell was crowned the new Miss Maryland on Saturday during the 72nd annual Miss Maryland Scholarship Pageant at The Maryland Theatre. As the new Miss Maryland, Powell, of Bowie, Md., will receive a $9,000 scholarship and other gifts. She also will represent the state at the upcoming Miss America pageant. For her talent, Powell performed "Glitter and Be Gay" from the operetta "Candide" - the same performance that earned her the $200 Newcomer Talent prize at Wednesday's preliminary competition.

On Nov. 9, Adam Taylor, Michelle Birky, Kristen Brennan and Renee Ryberg of Boonsboro High School were awarded the Golden Apple Award by the Washington County Board of Education, in recognition of their achievement as Maryland Distinguished Scholar Finalists or Semifinalists. The Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award honors Maryland high school students for superior academic achievement based on their GPA in academic courses in their junior year, combined with their SAT (PSAT/ACT)

Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Morgan recognized about a dozen students Thursday for their academic achievement. Adam Taylor and Michelle Birky, both of Boonsboro High School, were Maryland Distinguished Scholars finalists. More than 100 Washington County Public Schools students applied for the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Program, and eight were recognized as finalists or semifinalists. Kristin Brennan and Renee Ryberg, both of Boonsboro High School; Justin Furnia, Lauren Hill and Amber Henry, all of North Hagerstown High School; and Amanda Gower of Williamsport High School were named Maryland Distinguished Scholars semifinalists.