Three Charles County Public Schools students received special awards, and a La Plata High School teacher was named the Maryland History Day Teacher of the Year, at the Maryland History Day competition held April 28 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Andre Burton, a junior at La Plata High School, and Ryan Burton, a La Plata freshman, received the Award for Excellence in Civic Action and Engagement by the Maryland Council for the Social Studies for their project titled, "Freedom Rides: Revolution on the Road."

Anahja Barnett, a sophomore at Westlake High School, received the Mary Douglas Glasspool Special Award for Religious Freedom by St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church for her project titled, "Post 9/11 Government."

Additionally, Michele Bingham, a social studies teacher at La Plata and History Day coordinator, was chosen to represent Maryland at the National History Day event as the Patricia Behring High School History Day Teacher of the Year for Maryland. The national event is scheduled for June 11-14 at the University of Maryland College Park.

More than 25 other CCPS students competed in the state event after receiving a first- or second-place award at the county level. For more information on History Day activities, visit http://www.nhd.org/.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,858 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.