(April 28, 2016) Pocomoke High School had a moment in the sun at Tuesday’s County Commissioner meeting with a student, a sports team and a top administrator receiving honors for notable achievements.
First on the hit parade was Pocomoke High School senior Ethan Taylor, who just completed a stint as the Worcester County’s page to the 2016 Maryland General Assembly, which wrapped up this ‘ session on April 11.
Commissioner Vice President Merrill Lockfaw said Taylor’s service has brought pride to Pocomoke and Worcester County.
“I know you’re family is proud of you as well,” he said.
Reading from the commendation, Lockfaw noted the dedication to academic excellence and leadership potential exhibited by Taylor.
“You’re the future for us and we need more like you,” he said.
For his part, Taylor, blushing from the attention, expressed gratitude for the honor and quickly allowed the spotlight to shift to his peers.
“It was a great learning experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
Next up was the Pocomoke High School varsity boy’s basketball team, which last month won the 2016 Maryland Class 1A Basketball Championship.
On March 12, the Pocomoke Warriors defeated the Lake Clifton Lakers 64-56 in the 1A State Title game.
Coach Derrick Fooks, surrounded by his championship team, said his team deserved the recognition.
“This is a special group here,” he said. “We won the triple crown this year. That’s the Bayside Championship, regionals and the state championship.”
On Feb. 24, the Warriors defeated Cambridge-South Dorchester 61-47 to win the Bayside title.
“It’s the first time we’ve won the Bayside since 2002,” he said.
Following that victory, the Pocomoke Warriors handily defeated Crisfield 71-43 on Feb. 29 to win the 1A Sectional Semi-Final. Next, the boys rolled over Washington High School (Princess Anne) 80-58 to capture the 1A Sectional Final on March 2.
Kent County also had no luck trying to stop the Warriors high-powered offense, losing the 1A Regional Final 80-62 on March 4.
To qualify for the state final, the Warriors won a playoff game against Clear Spring 86-65 on March 11.
“Being a long season from November to March, these student athletes stuck with their books and did everything that it took and worked very hard,” he said. “So we should be extremely proud of these young men for enduring those long months and coming out and winning the state title.”
Lockfaw said the entire county of Worcester could take pride in the teams’ accomplishments.
“As the old cliché goes, you brought home the bacon, and you certainly exemplified the title warriors,” he said.
Also in attendance was Pocomoke City Council member Diane Downing who expressed her amazement at the recent state title.
“I’m a Warrior and I always will be,” she said. “I remember playing basketball. We were state champions back then.”
The final honor, for Pocomoke High School Principal Annette Wallace, was kept on a need-to-know basis until the meeting.
Now in her fourth year as at the helm of Pocomoke High School, Wallace was recently named the 2016 Maryland High School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Apparently, surprising Wallace has become a trend, as her initial notification came by way of a secretly planned reception on March 21 in the high school library.
Lockfaw said Wallace’s statewide recognition as an exemplary administrator is well deserved.
“She inspires students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to believe in themselves and to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives,” he said.
Exhibiting a humble nature, Wallace deflected the accolades.
“This award isn’t really about me, its about my amazing leadership team, my teachers and my wonderful students,” she said.
There could be further honors directed towards Wallace. Last Friday at the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals annual banquet she was selected as Maryland’s representative in the NASSP National Principal of the Year competition to be held this fall.
“I really am the lucky one to just get to be their principal everyday and to get to give back to Worcester County,” she said.
First on the hit parade was Pocomoke High School senior Ethan Taylor, who just completed a stint as the Worcester County’s page to the 2016 Maryland General Assembly, which wrapped up this ‘ session on April 11.
Commissioner Vice President Merrill Lockfaw said Taylor’s service has brought pride to Pocomoke and Worcester County.
“I know you’re family is proud of you as well,” he said.
Reading from the commendation, Lockfaw noted the dedication to academic excellence and leadership potential exhibited by Taylor.
“You’re the future for us and we need more like you,” he said.
For his part, Taylor, blushing from the attention, expressed gratitude for the honor and quickly allowed the spotlight to shift to his peers.
“It was a great learning experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
Next up was the Pocomoke High School varsity boy’s basketball team, which last month won the 2016 Maryland Class 1A Basketball Championship.
On March 12, the Pocomoke Warriors defeated the Lake Clifton Lakers 64-56 in the 1A State Title game.
Coach Derrick Fooks, surrounded by his championship team, said his team deserved the recognition.
“This is a special group here,” he said. “We won the triple crown this year. That’s the Bayside Championship, regionals and the state championship.”
On Feb. 24, the Warriors defeated Cambridge-South Dorchester 61-47 to win the Bayside title.
“It’s the first time we’ve won the Bayside since 2002,” he said.
Following that victory, the Pocomoke Warriors handily defeated Crisfield 71-43 on Feb. 29 to win the 1A Sectional Semi-Final. Next, the boys rolled over Washington High School (Princess Anne) 80-58 to capture the 1A Sectional Final on March 2.
Kent County also had no luck trying to stop the Warriors high-powered offense, losing the 1A Regional Final 80-62 on March 4.
To qualify for the state final, the Warriors won a playoff game against Clear Spring 86-65 on March 11.
“Being a long season from November to March, these student athletes stuck with their books and did everything that it took and worked very hard,” he said. “So we should be extremely proud of these young men for enduring those long months and coming out and winning the state title.”
Lockfaw said the entire county of Worcester could take pride in the teams’ accomplishments.
“As the old cliché goes, you brought home the bacon, and you certainly exemplified the title warriors,” he said.
Also in attendance was Pocomoke City Council member Diane Downing who expressed her amazement at the recent state title.
“I’m a Warrior and I always will be,” she said. “I remember playing basketball. We were state champions back then.”
The final honor, for Pocomoke High School Principal Annette Wallace, was kept on a need-to-know basis until the meeting.
Now in her fourth year as at the helm of Pocomoke High School, Wallace was recently named the 2016 Maryland High School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Apparently, surprising Wallace has become a trend, as her initial notification came by way of a secretly planned reception on March 21 in the high school library.
Lockfaw said Wallace’s statewide recognition as an exemplary administrator is well deserved.
“She inspires students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to believe in themselves and to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives,” he said.
Exhibiting a humble nature, Wallace deflected the accolades.
“This award isn’t really about me, its about my amazing leadership team, my teachers and my wonderful students,” she said.
There could be further honors directed towards Wallace. Last Friday at the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals annual banquet she was selected as Maryland’s representative in the NASSP National Principal of the Year competition to be held this fall.
“I really am the lucky one to just get to be their principal everyday and to get to give back to Worcester County,” she said.