CBN-PG Announces Hometown Hero Award and Essay Contest

CBN-PG Vice-President Heather Gossart, (pictured,) announced this year's Hometown Hero award criteria at the January 20, 2012 Networking Breakfast. This distinction will be awarded at the CBN-PG Awards Dinner and Auction on Monday, April 30, 2012.

CBN-PG's Hometown Hero Award will be presented annually to a Catholic Prince George's County native who exemplifies qualities of faith, character, leadership and service. An ideal candidate continues to enrich his or her church, community, school and profession through an unwavering personal integrity and desire to make the world a better place. The Hometown Hero does not need to currently live in Prince George's County. To be eligible for this award, the recipient must have graduated from either a Catholic elementary or secondary school within the County.

Each nomination must be accompanied by a letter of support from the person or organization making the nomination. Nominations must include current addresses, e-mails or telephone number and the nominee must be available to attend the event on April 30. Click here to email a nomination with the criteria above to our committee.

Another highlight of the Awards Dinner and Auction is the Essay Contest, in which three scholarships totaling $3,000 ($1,500 - 1st place, $1,000 - 2nd place, and $500 - 3rd place) will be awarded to eighth-grade entrants who currently attend a Prince George’s County Catholic grade school or religious education program, upon their admission to a Catholic High School in the fall of 2012. This year's topic is, "Which Saint do you admire most and why?" To download a flier about the contest, complete with all of the rules, click here.
 

Lt. Governor Brown outlines legislative priorities

On Friday, January 20, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, (pictured,) outlined the O'Malley administration's priorities for the coming legislative year, emphasizing job creation, the state budget and education. One major challenge, Brown explained to the group of over fifty CBN-PG members and guests, is to close the budget deficit gap with strategic cuts that shift, rather than eliminate, services.

Brown explained how tax increases will affect only those making more than $100,000 a year as reductions in the percentage of allowable deductions and elimination of the personal exemption for individuals making more than $125,000. These and other budget proposals must, of course, be cleared by the General Assembly and the Senate before they become law.

Brown, whose daughter will graduate this spring from Bowie HS, and whose son attends St. Pius School, said that he is ”all about providing families with choice” in education. The administration, he noted, will keep the 3 percent tuition rate steady at state universities and will seek compromises over teacher pensions with local districts.

Brown also noted contemporary realities facing public education: “Often these are schools of last resort," he said. “There is a high percentage of children living in poverty, The cost of providing a pubic school education is going to be higher than the costs of educating a student at Pius. Which is why there is a need for greater efficiency,” Brown stated.

Brown, who was introduced by former CBN-PG President Paul Dougherty, (pictured,) concluded the morning's session by answering several queries from CBN-PG members. Several guests were introduced and special kudos goes to Cindy Morgan who brought three guests to Friday's meeting.

Steve Kemp, (pictured,) presented a $1,000 check to Seton High School from CBN-PG's car donation program. Kemp made the offer that any car is eligible for donation, and proceeds from sale of a car donated to the program (301-464-0400) would benefit the school of the donor's choice.
 

Andrew Currier, principal of St. Joseph's Regional School in Beltsville, accepted January's $1,250 grant, which will be used to enhance the Spanish language program. Nina Gass from St. Vincent Pallotti High School took home an extra $250 for being the only school who brought a prospective new member along.

CBN-PG ends 2011 with gifts and gratitude.

On Friday, December 16, CBN-PG gave gifts to every Catholic school principal attending the Networking Breakfast. Over twenty schools drew their prizes from a grab bag of goodies presented by Premier Leadership Member Steve "Santa" Kemp.

CBN-PG Vice-President Heather Gossart led the festivities, which included a scholarship awarded to a grateful Dematha Catholic High School student (pictured below with school President Fr. James Day and Gossart,)

Following the meeting, Fr. Day wrote to the CBN-PG Board: "I would like to thank you for the warm welcome I received at my first meeting... I was also pleased to bring our honored student to receive the scholarship for his continuing in Catholic education."

There were other first-time attendees and several new members, who joined in singing with Ascension parishioner Jim Hossick as another year of giving drew to a close.
 

2011 Crab Feast in Memory of John Solari

The 2011 Crab Feast in Memory of John Solari was held Sunday, October 9, at the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council in Bowie. Proceeds help fund CBN-PG’s scholarships, which are awarded to students attending Catholic schools. Bishop McNamara, Elizabeth Seton and Dematha high schools all helped by supplying student volunteers.

Patricia Douville, a teacher at Pallotti High School and winner of the 50/50 raffle, generously donated $100 of her winnings back to CBN-PG. Other raffle prizes were an iPad 2 and a 50" LED TV. The event featured several Bushel-of-Crab Sponsors – Ascension Catholic Church, Tony Laubach, Maggie Allman, Jim Allman, Bruce Altevogt, Lisa White, John Douville of Ackerman Security, Joe Fernandez, Lynn Loughlin Skerpon, Heather Gossart, Fr. George Wilkinson of Holy Redeemer-College Park, and Dr. Marie-Therese Oyalowo – all of whom were essential to the event’s success.

Further thanks go to the following students and family members who helped facilitate the event: Will Alberding, Roslyn Jones, Vera Hayes, Alex Kincaid, Emily Magruder, Bryanna McFadden, Lillian McFadden, Amanda Pumphrey, Stephanie Shaff, Steve Shaff, Joy Williams, Matthew Williams.

CBN-PG Board Programs Chairperson Lisa White was thrilled with the event and expressed her appreciation: “You all were magnificent! We could not do this without all of you! Thank you again for your support. Those who couldn’t be with us on Sunday, we hope that you can join us next year.”

The 2012 Crab Feast will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2012. Save the date! 
 

St Matthias was awarded $250 for bringing a potential member, John Kelly of New York Life, who joined CBN-PG on the spot.