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CAROLINE COUNTY — The December 2 meeting of the Caroline County Board of Education centered on celebration as students and staff from across the school system were recognized; one student artist, one outstanding physical education instructor, and a group of future leaders in agriculture were all given their time to shine during the meeting.
The evening’s first recognition went to Addison Masten of Colonel Richardson High School, whose artwork was selected as the official 2025 Caroline County Public Schools Holiday Card. Each year it is the Superintendent’s job to review and select submissions of students’ artwork for the card. Superintendent Dr. Derek Simmons chose Masten’s cozy winter scene as the face of the 2025 CCPS Christmas card. “It is our official card that goes out to everybody…it was a tough competition,” Dr. Simmons said, “you kind of go through all of them and you find that one that just kind of speaks to you and resonates, and I absolutely fell in love with the artwork that this student did.” Dr. Simmons presented Masten with a certificate and a stack of the newly printed cards for her to give to friends and family.
The Board also recognized Ridgely Elementary School physical education teacher James “JJ” Hester, who received the Simon A. McNeely Award at the SHAPE Maryland Conference in November. The statewide honor is given to individuals who provide creative leadership or distinguished service in health or physical education. Hester’s former supervisor, Amy Towers, now principal of the Caroline Career and Technology Center, said, “JJ shines in Caroline County.” Hester began his career with CCPS at Lockerman Middle School, but Towers said that since moving to the elementary level at Ridgely, “he has blossomed beyond comparison…[the students at Ridgely Elementary] are so lucky to have him.” Dr. Simmons joked that “you haven’t had a PE class until you’ve been in Mr. Hester’s PE class”, with activities like moonlight bowling and glow-in-the-dark golf. “He is an amazing educator,” Towers said.
Later in the meeting, CCTC’s agriculture students and staff who attended the FFA National Convention field trip presented their highlights from the trip and thanked the Board of Education for allowing the students to go. The week-long convention is held in Indianapolis. Students Abby Jones, Elizabeth Johnson, Gabi Roe, Raegan Peris, Landon Shufelt, and Ryan Harris each shared their favorite parts of the experience. Another student, Ben Fissell, attended the field trip but was unable to come to the meeting.
Agricultural sciences teacher Jodi Neal spoke about the importance of the annual trip, holding back tears as she shared the personal impact of seeing her students get to experience the Convention. She also expressed gratitude to the Board for giving the green light for the trip each year. “Thank you, thank you, thank you for always approving this trip, it means the world to me and to them, and I couldn’t do it without you guys. So I just really appreciate you supporting them and allowing them to go.” Neal noted that the students had to fundraise the money it took to get to the Convention. Students recounted a wide range of educational experiences, from agricultural technology to animal science. Others spoke about meeting FFA members from across the country, learning about agriculture in different regions, and observing large-scale livestock facilities – experiences they described as eye-opening and “mind-blowing” compared to the farms they are familiar with back home. Students also shared that many peers they met at the convention were unaware of the widespread agricultural practices on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Spreading the word about the prevalence of agriculture in Maryland became an unexpected but memorable part of their trip.
Board President Michele Wayman thanked the group for their thoughtful reflections, saying, “I know we asked you to share when you got back, but man, you did above and beyond. It was educational, it was informative… I think you guys had fun, you learned a lot, and it sounds so exciting.”
