The Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) awards ceremony was a highlight of the May 8 meeting of the Greenbelt City Council. All available seats were filled for this annual event as parents, students, principals and teachers celebrated the selection of outstanding students.
ACE committee member Melinda Brady opened the presentation, mentioning that these awards have been given out every year since 1996. Recipients of the ACE Student Awards must be residents of Greenbelt enrolled in the highest grade level at a Greenbelt school. This year, Turning Point Academy did not have any students eligible for the award.
In addition to council, some local dignitaries were present and congratulated the awardees: State Senator Paul Pinsky, Delegates Tawanna Gaines and Anne Healey, and Tomeka Bumbry who represented County Councilmember Todd Turner. A number of school principals and ACE committee members also attended.
ACE was formed in 1994 and its charter was revised in 2007. ACE works with council, school principals, parent-teacher organizations and the community to address education issues and policies that affect the people of Greenbelt.
The purpose of the ACE awards is to recognize Greenbelt students who honor the city’s traditions of citizenship, leadership and academic achievement. While many students achieve academically, this year’s recipients have uniquely impressed their principals, teachers and the wider community and exemplify the values that make Greenbelt a great community.
The Student Awards complement the ACE Educator Awards, which ACE presented to teachers and staff members from Greenbelt schools at a council meeting in March. Together, ACE awards and programs highlight the exemplary educational program of the schools that Greenbelt children attend, and the people who make it happen.
Read about the ACE awards in the May 18 News Review