Below are the 2009 Semifinalists

Stephanie Turbin – Allegany County
At Flintstone Elementary School, Stephanie Turbin has volunteered at the Sparkler Store, which supports the school’s PBIS program, among her many activities. In addition, she has participated on both the Student Achievement and School Improvement Teams, supported the Accelerated Reader Program and other literacy initiatives, served as PTA President, and at the school system level, she has been a member of the Parent Advisory Committee.

Carolyn Fiume – Anne Arundel County
As founder of the Friends of Early Childhood Intervention organization in Anne Arundel County, Carolyn has created a resource for parents of children with special needs from birth to five years old. Working with Anne Arundel County, other special needs service organizations, and resources, Friends of Early Childhood Intervention provides parents the bridge for transitioning their special needs child from preschool to kindergarten.

Tracie Martin – Baltimore City
Tracie Martin established a chapter of the Boy Scouts of America at Inner Harbor East Academy, then identified students who would benefit from the program and worked with parents to ensure student participation. Tracie is a strong presence in the school, helping staff, teachers, and students when needed including in classrooms or the cafeteria, and on school field trips. Through her involvement, Tracie has become an inspiration to other parents to become involved at the school.

Mark Lewis – Baltimore County
Serving as President of the Vocal Boosters, Mark Lewis has promoted and supported the many activities and events of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts’ Music Department. He has also helped strengthen communication between many parent groups at the school. For many students, Mark has served as a positive role model.

James Carroll – Calvert County
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have become critical components for Maryland’s future success. Jim Carroll has helped thirteen schools in Calvert County Public Schools—beginning with Barstow Elementary and Calvert Middle Schools—increase their STEM initiatives through robotics using the FIRST Lego League program. Students, staff, and parents have had the opportunity to learn engineering and problem-solving skills.

Jemima Clark – Caroline County
As PTA President at Denton Elementary School, Jemima Clark has provided strong leadership for the school’s many activities and events that support staff, students, and parents. She also took the initiative to provide the school and community with a handicapped accessible playground, writing a proposal which resulted in a $280,000 grant. Jemima then coordinated the county approval reviews and partnership meetings, and organized participants to see the project through to the end.

Laurie Long – Carroll County
In the six years that Laurie Long has served as Coordinator of North Carroll High School’s Volunteer Program, the number of registered volunteers has increased 79 percent and the number of service hours has increased 78 percent. Laurie has been critical in revising the countywide Volunteer Program Handbook and Guidelines as well as collaborating with the education community to promote parent participation. She also is a member of the Carroll County Education Foundation, which promotes partnerships with businesses to support educational program and initiatives.

Kathy Ann Joseph – Cecil County
Through strong leadership and initiative, Kathy Ann Joseph revitalized the Cecil County Gifted and Talented Advisory Council, bringing such programs as the Children’s Book Club for grades K-6, and an online discussion group for parents of gifted and talented students to the community. She also spearheaded using a multi-grade level model of instruction for the third, fourth, and fifth grades at North East Elementary School.

Kristina Gozzi – Charles County
As a parent of a child in a wheelchair, Krissy Gozzi has devoted a great deal of time and energy to help transition her daughter at J.P. Ryon Elementary School. By working with teachers and staff, Krissy has helped dispel any concerns or questions about her daughter’s physical limitations. However, Krissy’s major undertaking was to renovate the school’s playground so it was handicapped accessible for her daughter and allowed her to play along side her peers.

Valerie Jordan – Dorchester County
Valerie Jordan has been involved in Dorchester County Public Schools for over 20 years and three schools. Through her roles as PTO President, Parent Advisory Council Representative, and School Improvement Team member, she has participated in many school-based decisions. Valerie has been a strong supporter of literacy, serving as Book Fair Chairperson and volunteering for the Reading is Fundamental program at the Sandy Hill Elementary School, and serving as media assistant at Maces Lane Middle and Cambridge-South Dorchester High School.

Brian Barron – Frederick County
Over the course of 5 years, Brian Barron has been volunteering at Myersville Elementary School, teaching American Sign Language (ASL) and discussing the deaf community and culture with students as early as kindergarten. He currently reaches 17 classes for more than 350 students.

Christine Brenneman – Garrett County
While Christine Brenneman currently serves as volunteer coordinator for Grantsville Elementary School, her involvement reaches back over 14 years. Christine has served on the school Improvement Team and has been a member of the Moms in Touch group that provides support to school staff. Christine also is an invaluable assistant for the Reading First program, where she helps in numerous ways.

Mark Daghir – Harford County
Mark Daghir founded the Darlington Science Club after school program for third through fifth graders at Darlington Elementary School. Using fun activities and events, Mark has made the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) both fun and educational for students, parents, and teachers. In addition, Mark is an active member of PTA, participating in the many activities planned each year to help students achieve.

Sandra Holt – Howard County
As PTA President at Bollman Bridge Elementary School, Sandra Holt has made significant enhancements at the school, particularly to the school environment. Through her efforts, the school has new trees that shade the student outdoor play area; new picnic tables in the staff outdoor area; and an electronic flyer distribution system that provides parents with school-related information in a timely manner and saves the school in cost of paper.

Kiki Jones – Kent County
Kiki Jones’ contributions at H.H. Garnett Elementary School have been extensive and creative. In addition to coordinating and organizing teacher appreciation lunches; the Store on Wheels, which provides school spirit rewards; and the Hospitality Committee at Chestertown Middle School, she assumed leadership in getting the voluntary school uniform program implemented. Kiki also took charge of the annual Sneaker Creeper race, which has taken place in Chestertown for more than 20 years, partnering with Washington College to help grow the event into a major fundraiser for Garnett Elementary School.

Ann English – Montgomery County
Ann English’s expertise in landscape architecture has been instrumental in revitalizing the greenhouse and creating a hands-on horticulture program at Rockville High School as well as the installation of a rain garden and landscaped courtyard at the school. Serving as President of the Booster Club, Ann has established new relationships and improve communication between student groups, increased fundraising efforts, and expanded funding to new groups.

Kristen Ruiz - Prince George's County
As President of three PTAs – Bond Mill Elementary, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle, and Laurel High Schools – Kristen Ruiz has been a powerhouse of leadership in improving education in Prince Georges County. Kristen’s endeavors have provided teachers and staff additional funding for classroom supplies and materials; new audio/visual equipment for the school; and financial assistance to the physical education, music, art, media center, and safety programs. Kristen also founded the Drama Club at Bond Mill Elementary as well as the LHS Discount Card and e-schools newsletter at Laurel High School.

Wendy Panor - Queen Anne's County
By bringing a specialized, multi-sensory teaching-learning strategy found to be successful for language-deficient children—known as The Association Method—to Kennard Elementary School and Queen Anne’s County, Wendy Panor has not only helped her own son with his language difficulties but helped many other children with speech disorders in the school system. In addition, Wendy is an active volunteer during Bay Days, participates in the Character Counts program, and in the many school activities and events held at Kennard Elementary and Centreville Middle Schools.

Robert Wells - Somerset County
As a tenacious advocate and supporter of education, Bobby Wells has dedicated himself to ensuring that all children at Deal Island Elementary School have outstanding educational experiences and opportunities. Bobby’s leadership as PTA President has resulted in unprecedented fundraising activities and events—including the school’s Sports Day—so that students can attend water safety classes at the YMCA and educational field trips to places like Assateague Island.

Maria Scott - St. Mary's County
Maria Scott’s involvement at Park Hall Elementary School is doubly impressive because her daughter doesn’t attend the school; she is a student at another school in St. Mary’s County where Maria also volunteers. Maria is tireless in her efforts to provide the students and staff at Park Hall Elementary with exceptional educational experiences. Through fundraising and coordination of the Eagles’ Nest store, which supports the PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) program, Maria’s “can do” attitude has helped encourage the school community to excel.

Jenny Schmidt – Talbot County
Jenny Schmidt’s Meadow Project at Easton Elementary School has given the staff and students the opportunity to change the environment at this Title I school. By partnering with a number of local businesses and organizations, Jenny and her team were able to bring experts into the school to help teach students as early as kindergarten learn about plants and plan how the land next to the school could be transformed into a learning environment.

Steven O’Farrell – Washington County
The Fountaindale Elementary School Courtyard Project was no small undertaking, but Steven O’Farrell committed to the project whole-heartedly. Organizing committees and coordinating meetings with local government groups and contractors has at times been difficult, but Steven has persevered. Now, students, staff and the community have a handicapped accessible outdoor classroom and stage area.

Ginny Steuart – Wicomico County
Ginny Steuart’s relentless pursuit to make a difference in the lives of others has greatly impacted the schools and community in Wicomico County. At Glen Avenue School, Ginny has been an active volunteer for the many PTA activities and events, including sock hops, skate nights, and family dinners. Ginny also has connected the school to her church community to help families in the region during holidays as well as throughout the year.