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Paint Branch High School
HONOR ROLL
4^th Grading Period – June 2009

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

* Indicates student earned all grades of "A"

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

Twenty-one Paint Branch Seniors Honored at
Top Scholars Recognition Dinner

Paint Branch High School celebrated academic excellence by honoring twenty-one seniors who represented the top 5% of the graduating class of 2009. The Top Scholars Dinner was held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 6:00 pm. The honored students were recognized for their academic excellence over four years at Paint Branch and was given plaques and books to commemorate their achievement.

The students honored are:

Brent Abel
Natasha Chopra
Sonia Dalal
Daniel Gregoire
Christina Jacob
Ho Young Kang
Shoaib Khan
Patrick Kind
Julianna Magnus
Michael Mekonnen
Matthew Michnewich
Michael Noyes
Uzoamaka Okunji
Ashley Sen
Ashley Seto
Adam Sonty
Rajna Swaminathan
Jessica Tran
Bradley Tse
Jessica Werner
Sarah Wray

Each student was asked to pick their most influential staff member at Paint Branch and those staff members were also honored. The staff members the students chose are:

Ms. Debra Adkins
Dr. Mary Ellen Antiochos
Ms. Dana Birdin
Ms. Lisa Blighton
Ms. Ellen Brinsko
CDR John DeCavage
Mr. Brian Eichenlaub
Ms. Leslie Greene
Ms. Mygenet Harris
Ms. Faye Johnson
Mr. Richard Lee
Ms. Pamela Leffler
Mr. Stuart Miller
Ms. Nadine Taylor-Tolbert
Ms. Beatrice Newell
Ms. Jamie Paoloni
Mr. Colin Reinhard
Mr. Thomas Rey
Mr. Andrew White
Ms. Barbara Whitney
Mr. David Zaleski

Paint Branch High School
HONOR ROLL
3^rd Grading Period – April 2009

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

* Indicates student earned all grades of "A"

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

Paint Branch High School Principal Receives the
 NAACP-MCPS Principal of the Year Award

The Montgomery County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and MontgomeryCounty Public Schools are proud to announce Jeanette E. Dixon, principal of Paint Branch High School, as the inaugural recipients of the NAACP-MCPS Outstanding Principal Award for 2009. Ms. Dixon has devoted her entire 26 year career in education to the students of MCPS and has been a principal for 12 years. She taught social studies for 10 years before she became an administrator in 1993. This year, the College Board recognized Paint Branch High School for increasing access to Advanced Placement (AP) classes, particularly among African American students. The Paint Branch High School Class of 2008 led the nation in the percentage of African American graduates who earned a 3 or higher in the AP World History exam.

Dr. Jerry Weast, Superintendent of Public Schools and Ms. Jeanette Dixon, Principal of Paint Branch High School at the NAACP-MCPS Dinner on April 26, 2009.

Paint Branch High School increased the percentage of all students taking at least one AP exam from 30.2 percent in 2000 to 58.1 percent in 2008. The percentage increase of students at the school earning a 3 or more on an AP exam rose from 24.9 percent to 40.5 percent in the same time period. Mr. John W. Haas, assistant principal, at Paint Branch High School wrote in his letter nominating Mrs. Dixon, “There are times when one person comes along who makes a special difference—a difference that invigorates and inspires a school community to believe in and achieve more than previously imagined.” Ms. Dixon was honored at the Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner on April 26, 2009, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Henry Hailstock, president of the NAACP Montgomery County Branch, said, “An exemplary education for students requires exceptional educators. The NAACP is honored to celebrate the accomplishments of these outstanding leaders in MCPS.”

Ms. Carolyn Dixon and her mom at the NAACP-MCPS Dinner.

Ms. Jeanette Dixon and Ms. Angel Mason, kindergarten teacher at Mill Creek Towne Elementary School, the inaugural recipients of the NAACP-MCPS Outstanding Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards for 2009	Ms. Dixon and with the NAACP-MCPS Outstanding Principal of the Year Award	Mr. John Haas, Ms. Dixon, and Mr. Brian Eichenlaub congratulate Ms. Dixon on her award at the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner.

Paint Branch's Exchange Trip to France

Paint Branch High School Navy Junior ROTC Cadets
Meet The Commander-In-Chief
By Commander John J. DeCavage, USN (Retired)

Forty students from Paint Branch High School had an opportunity Thursday, February 12, 2009, that few Americans ever have…..to meet the President of the United States. Cadets from Paint Branch’s Navy Junior ROTC Unit were excited about their six-day field trip to San Diego, the Navy’s second largest port city. They came to school in uniform, boarded their charter bus and were off to Andrews Air Force Base. There they would board a U. S. Marine Corps passenger jet for their government-provided transportation to Southern California.

The cadets anxiously awaited the arrival of their assigned aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. While in the air terminal, they learned that Vice President Biden was scheduled to depart via Air Force II, which was parked one hundred yards outside the back door. When their plane arrived, the cadets were bussed out to it, passing through automatic, heavy steel security gates. The pilot came over to greet them and provide information about the flight. Several of the cadets helped load their luggage onboard before boarding the 100-passenger, C-9 aircraft. The forty knot winds whipped across the runway as they headed toward the rear ramp of the plane. While aboard the immaculately maintained Marine Corps plane, students were invited to visit the cockpit and sit in the pilot and co-pilot’s seats. Thirty minutes later the cadets were informed by their Commander that the flight had to be cancelled because of the severe westerly winds blowing across the runway that were forecast into the evening hours. Vice President Biden’s plane had to receive a “wind waiver” and was allowed to depart the airfield.

As the cadets dejectedly awaited the return of their charter bus, they saw Air Force I, President Obama’s aircraft, appear out where the Vice President’s plane had been an hour earlier. They gazed at the beautiful 747, painted in blue and white and shined to perfection. Commander Joe DeCavage, Senior Naval Science Instructor at Paint Branch, learned that President Obama was scheduled to depart for Illinois in one hour where he was to advertise the economic stimulus package and celebrate Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

Five minutes later, an Air Force Sergeant invited the cadets out onto the tarmac to witness the President’s motorcade arrival and his departure via Air Force I. The motorcycles came first, followed by a few escort Escalades, and then came the President’s limousine. The cadets jumped up and down, waved and yelled to the Commander in Chief. He waved back. His limousine stopped a few steps from the aircraft. As he exited, the students yelled even louder and began to chant “O-ba-ma” and “Yes, We Can!” To everyone’s surprise, President Obama donned his jacket and started walking toward the group of cadets. Secret Service and Press preceded him…..the students took pictures and video. Cadet Olga Church said she shook uncontrollably as the President approached. The President was personable, shook hands with most, exchanged salutes with others, asked questions, and said hello to everyone before walking to Air Force I. The cadets remained on the tarmac while the 747 with the Presidential seal took off.

Sooo….the day concluded with what most students felt was one of the most memorable experiences they had ever had. The bus ride back to Paint Branch was buzzing with excited phone calls home and sharing of pictures and video. When the students arrived at Paint Branch, many went up to show their Principal, Jeanette Dixon, their pictures and tell her of their experience. Ms. Dixon brought the NJROTC Program to Paint Branch five years ago. One cadet mentioned how soft the President’s hand was. Ms. Dixon was quick to reply, “See, if you get a good education like President Obama, you will not have to get a job that causes your hands to get rough and calloused.”

All went home with a lifelong, memorable “sea story.” All were happy that they had had the encounter with the President…….and knowing that their San Diego field trip would be re-scheduled in the near future.

Obama Greeted at Andrews by Screaming High Schoolers, High Winds
February 12, 2009 2:13 PM

ABC News' Karen Travers reports:

President Obama received a raucous send-off at Andrews Air Force Base this afternoon, before his flight to Peoria, Ill.

Before boarding Air Force One, the president worked a rope line of screaming, cell phone picture snapping high school students, a few older people and younger families with kids.

The high schoolers were junior ROTC students from Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Md.

As he made his way down the line, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, one girl could be heard shouting “We love you Obama!” and several dozen of the students started a chant of “Obama! Obama!”

High winds in Washington forced the White House to alter President Obama’s travel plans. He was not able to fly on the Marine One helicopter from the White House, instead traveling by motorcade to Andrews where Air Force One was waiting for him. Instead of the usual staircase that is wheeled up to the side of the plane, Obama used a set of steps that lowered down from the belly of the plane.

-- Karen Travers

Photo Credit: Reuters

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/obama-greeted-a.html

Paint Branch High School
HONOR ROLL
2^nd Grading Period – February 2009

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

* Indicates student earned all grades of "A"

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

Scores of African American and Hispanic Students Surpass National Average for All Students

Paint Branch High School Leads Nation in African American Performance in AP World History

ROCKVILLE, MD—The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Class of 2008 set new Advanced Placement examination (AP exam) participation and performance records and capped a nine-year trend of higher performance for graduates from all student demographic groups. In addition, Paint Branch High School received national attention for the performance of African American students on the AP World History exam.

In 2008, 61.5 percent of MCPS graduates took at least one AP exam, compared with 25 percent nationally and 37.2 percent in Maryland. More than 46 percent of the Class of 2008 scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam while in high school—more than triple the national average of 15.2 percent and double the state average. A score of 3 or higher is generally recognized as eligible for college credit.

Nationwide comparisons in AP participation and achievement and ranking of performance by state were released today by The College Board in the Fifth Annual Advanced Placement Report to the Nation. For the first time, Maryland was the state with the highest percentage of graduates who earned one or more AP exam scores of 3 or higher. MCPS graduates had a substantial effect on this ranking. Without their contribution, Maryland would slip from 1st to 10th place.

Systemwide improvements in AP course and exam participation by traditionally underserved minority student groups are exemplified by the notable achievement of Paint Branch High School. In its report, The College Board recognizes Paint Branch High School for increasing access to AP, particularly among African American students. The Paint Branch High School Class of 2008 led the nation in the percentage of African American graduates who earned a 3 or higher in the AP World History exam. Paint Branch has increased the percentage of all students taking at least one AP exam from 30.2 percent in 2000 to 58.1 percent in 2008. The percentage increase of students at the school earning a 3 or more on an AP exam rose from 24.9 percent to 40.5 percent in the same time period.

“MCPS has focused intensively on raising the performance of all students and closing the achievement gap,” said Board of Education President Shirley Brandman. “While recognizing
that we have a way to go, I feel we are on the right pathway, as evidenced by the accomplishments of Paint Branch High School and all of our high schools.”

“Our goal—plain and simple—is to get our graduates ready to succeed in college, and getting there depends on taking rigorous courses, such as AP, in high school,” said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools. “It’s phenomenal to see that so many of our students are participating in these classes and excelling in them, as evidenced by today’s record-setting results by the MCPS Class of 2008.”

AP exam performance among African American graduates in the Class of 2008 is noteworthy districtwide as well as at Paint Branch High School. African American graduates in the MCPS Class of 2008 were nearly three times more likely to take an AP exam than African American graduates nationwide. The percentage of African American graduates in the MCPS Class of 2008 who earned at least one AP exam score of 3 or higher was more than three times the rate for African American graduates in Maryland and more than five times the rate for African American graduates nationwide. The percentage of African American and Hispanic graduates in the MCPS Class of 2008 with at least one AP score of 3 or higher was above the national average of 15.2 percent for all graduates.

African American students taking one or more AP exams increased from 12.4 percent in 2000 to 37.6 percent in 2008, and the percentage of African American students scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam increased from 9.1 percent to 19.6 percent.

"I've got great kids here and a great staff," said Jeanette Dixon, principal of Paint Branch High School. "They work very hard and want to do well. I'm very proud of that, and of the deserving recognition they are receiving in this AP national report."

System Performance

Overall, MCPS 2008 graduates as a class far exceeded the participation and performance of their peers in Maryland and the nation:
 

• In the MCPS Class of 2008, 61.5 percent of students took at least one AP exam during high school, compared with 37.2 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of public school graduates in Maryland and the nation.
   

• In the MCPS Class of 2008, 46.4 percent of graduates earned at least one AP score of 3 or higher, a rate that was nearly twice the rate for public school graduates in Maryland (23.4 percent) and more than three times the rate for public school graduates in the nation (15.2 percent)
   

Between 2000 and 2008, the percentage of MCPS graduates who took at least one AP exam increased 24.9 percentage points, compared with increases of 17.0 and 9.1 percentage points for Maryland and the nation, respectively (Table 2). The percentage of MCPS graduates who earned at least one AP exam score of 3 or higher increased 15.7 percentage points between 2000 and 2008, compared with increases of 9.3 and 5.0 percentage points for Maryland and the nation, respectively.

Read the full College Board Fifth Annual AP Report to the Nation

See Related Links:
Tables demonstrating AP participation and performance for MCPS students
Charts demonstrating AP participation and performance for MCPS students

PAINT BRANCH NEWSPAPER TAKES TOP HONORS
FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW IN THE
AMERICAN SCHOLASTIC JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL COMPETITION

This is the fifth year in a row that the Paint Branch newspaper, Mainstream, has achieved a first place finish and its second with Special Merit in the American Scholastic Press Association’s Annual newspaper competition.

First Place with Special Merit is awarded to a publication that scores over 900 points out of a 1000 point scoring system. Mainstream earned 955 points.

Also, Mainstream staff writer Julia Grinberg was awarded Best Investigative Reporting for “Paying Students for Performance.” The organization stated that, “The story, ‘Paying Students for Performance’ by Julia Grinberg, is excellent. Congratulations on a job well done!”

Mainstream was commended for its “Superior academic excellence . . . . attempting to follow professional guidelines” and “showcasing the best your students have to offer.”

Paint Branch graduates, Adrienne Chlumsky and Sanata Sy-Sahande were the Co-Editors-in-Chief of the First Place winning newspaper.

Brian Woodward is in his sixth year as Mainstream Advisor. The Mainstream has won a number of awards from national and local journalism organizations under Mr. Woodward’s supervision including: three Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medals, a 2008 All-American rating (highest possible) from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), a first place in Best Sports Feature Story from Towson University, first place for its online newspaper in the Montgomery County Media Festival, and five first place awards in the American Scholastic Press Association’s Annual newspaper competition.

To view the Mainstream online go to:

http://my.highschooljournalism.org/md/burtonsville/pbhs/

Three Paint Branch Students Chosen as
Maryland General Assembly Pages

Paint Branch High School seniors Jared Adkins, Maxzeller Thomas, Jr. and Daniel Gregoire have been chosen as pages for the 2009 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Each page will serve two nonconsecutive weeks in either the House of Delegates or the State Senate. During the thirteen weeks of session, each page will serve one week during the first eight weeks and return for his second week during the last five weeks.

While a page, the duties will revolve around the schedule of the chamber to which he is assigned. The students will work with members in their offices and on the House and Senate floors, filing legislation, answering phones, working with staff in committees, and essentially, doing whatever is needed to help keep the legislative process moving smoothly and efficiently.

Mr. Adkins is a Gilder Lehman American History Scholar and President of the National English Honor Society at Paint Branch.  Mr. Adkins is extremely interested in government and history and is interested in studying history and journalism in college next year.

             Mr. Thomas loves history and government.  He volunteers in his community, most recently in the past election working the polls.  He is a varsity athlete in both football and lacrosse.  He is planning to study pre-law in college next year.

             Mr. Gregoire is a Gilder Lehman American History Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Social Studies Honor Society and English Honor Society at Paint Branch.  Mr. Gregoire is extremely interested in government and politics and is interested in studying Political Science in college next year.

PAINT BRANCH NEWSPAPER TAKES TOP HONORS AT THE
COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL COMPETITION

The Paint Branch Newspaper, Mainstream, was named a Gold Medalist in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s (CSPA) Annual newspaper competition. This is the third time the Mainstream has been named a Gold Medalist.

“The Mainstream staff has so much of which to be proud . . . Interesting articles, a wide variety of coverage, and student personality. Well done.” states the CSPA reviewer. Mainstream was commended for its “very lively” writing and its “excellent” coverage of a variety of sports. The newspaper’s overall coverage was praised as “definitely student oriented.”

Mainstream earned near perfect scores in several categories including: Coverage, Writing and Editing, Business Operations and Graphic Presentation. Of note was the advertising found throughout the newspaper.

Paint Branch graduates, Adrienne Chlumsky and Sanata Sy-Sahande were the Co-Editors-in-Chief of the Gold Medal winning newspaper.

Brian Woodward is in his sixth year as Mainstream Advisor. The Mainstream has won a number of awards from national and local journalism organizations under Mr. Woodward’s supervision including: two consecutive Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medals, a 2008 All American rating (highest possible) from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), a first place in Best Sports Feature Story from Towson University, first place for its online newspaper in the Montgomery County Media Festival in 2005 and a first place award in the 2005 – 2006 American Scholastic Press Association’s Annual newspaper competition.

To view the Mainstream online go to:

http://my.highschooljournalism.org/md/burtonsville/pbhs/

Paint Branch High School
HONOR ROLL
1^st Grading Period – November 2008

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

Abangma, Yaya O
Abdelwhab, Hind 
Acheampong, Valerie S
* Adams, Sara 
Adekoya, Adenike L
* Ahmad, Sobia 
Akamune, Joycelyn I
Akinnola, Ifeolu A
Allen, Madison K
Aluko, Mosopefoluwa E
Amanuel, Medhane T
Amenabar, Edwin A
Ampomah, Angela 
Aneja, Amarpreet 
Ayegbusi, Mary T
Aylay, Elenor 
Barbagallo, Taylor G
* Belina, Detti H
Bose, Sanchita 
Brown, Tyler M
Bryan, Michael E 
Burgos, Daniel A
Butts, Kyle J
Buvawala, Vivien M
Camara, Saffie S
Campbell, Britney R
Carroll, Kelly A
Chakroborty, Soumik 
Chen, Jessica L
Chung, Judith D
Coaxum, Blake F
Cole, Kenia J
Connolly, Erin E
Conrad, Chelsey J
Dang, Christina N
Dement, Paige M
Denny, Ashlynn T
Dively, Angela M
Do, Magdalene Q
Doherty, Connor S
* Dominah, Gifty A
Dowuona, Cyril H
Drameh, Aji M
Ebanks, Nicole S
Edge, Kelsey A
Fers, Tyler J
Fitta, Meron A
Grady, Rebecca B
Hammond, Lois N
Hamou, David H
Han, Edward S
Hasan, Syed M
* Hauprich, Katrina L
Heralal, Sangeeta 
Herman, Sonja I
Herrera, Laura V
Herrfurth, Mattias G
Heuber, Allison 
* Hollis, Rachel E
Hoover, Garrett M
Hunt, Colby 
Hussein, Hamda A
* Johny, Angeline 
Jones, Courtney E
Joseph, Sebastian M
Joshi, Rohit 
Kalsi, Amy 
Kanu, MacKia M
Keane, Jeffrey B
Kelly, Myesha L
Khama, Sharon 
Khan, Sabrina 
Lewis, Cherisse 
Lima, Elisa S
Lively, Brett H
Lubin, George-Ann 
Lukose, Benson B
Madden, Anna F
Maszkiewicz, Kelly A
Mathias, Ana Gabriela P
McClain, Rebecca D
McGonnigal, Aaron 
McMahon, Rachel E
Measday, Alexander H
Miller, Mariah A
Mohamed, Hayatt 
Myers, Hannah M
Newman, Shayna R
Ngako, Patrick E
* Ngenge, Kelly A
Ngo, My T
Nguyen, Jennifer T
Nguyen, Ricky 
Nguyen, Tony T
Nnamani, Amaka C
Nwanna, Chinomso T 
Odellas, Cherone N
Ortiz, Elelbin A
Ortiz, Maria 
Owrutsky, Zoe L
Pandit, Supriya A
* Parkhurst, Alyssa M
Pham, Victoria H
Pilla, Naomi 
Pinnock, Nykolaus A
Potts, Indigo A
Puri, Divya C
Rager, Christopher J
Rahman, Ameera T
Razzak, Fuad A
Rehwoldt, Miles C
Robar, Kayla J
Rock, Jeanlouis 
Rollakanti, Suman S
Sabia, Stephen H
Scanga, Emily C
Schmedding, Anna K
Schneider, Gregory B
Schneider, William M
Serra, Katelyn N
Sertsu, Amha S
Seto, Daren J
Shah, Mansi S
Siddiqui, Sara 
Singh, Harleen K
Stewart, Victoria E
Stone, Riley A
Stone, Ryan J
Sulieman, Saleh 
Tesfai, Ariam 
* Tesfaye, Bezait 
Thanki, Neha S
Thomas, Jannel S
* Tizabi, Daniela R
Tsao, Tracy 
* Tse, Jillian 
Udoh, Otobong I
Werner, Samantha R
Willacy, Tiffany 
Wilson, Tory 
Wright, John L
Yee, Alexander K
Yitagesu, Abigia W
* Yun, Melody G
Yutuc, Katherine 
Zemen, Rahel 

Abraha, Rosa G
Abramson, Zuri N
Adebayo, Rofiat A
Aghguiguian, Ani S
Akede, Elizabeth O
Ambroise, Nicole E
Aniyikaiye, Opeoluwa B
Ashu, Enaka B
Aslam, Sulaiman K
Bahra, Simerjit K
Balogun, Mayowa 
Banson, Ian M
Barnes, Carol J
Belton, Michelle 
Bii, Iscar C
Blanchard, Katie N
Buabuchachart, Alan 
Burgess, Kimberly S
Butler, Laura L
Butler, Michelle A
Canubas, Lorenz D
Carey, Cathleen L
Chane, Eden 
Chhabra, Arjun S
Christopher, Garland R 
Cohen, Kathryn M
Collignon, Taylor 
Dematatis, Julia V
Demissie, Mekael 
* Denny, Abigail 
Diallo, Marliatou 
Djampouop, Sonia N
Durai, Priyanka 
Dzierzanowski, Elizabeth A
Edinborough, Kevin A
Espinoza, Valeria K
Farace, Andrea L
Fean, Samantha T
* Ferguson, Michelle P
Fernandes, Matthew 
* Fifo, Adetokunbo A
Flores, Tiana V
Ford, Megan E
Goba, Gassoh A
Gomes, Yves G
Grant-Broadus, Rachel J
Gulian, Mamikon A
Hall, Kathleen N
Hamilton, Lauren 
Hammond, Eugene N
Han, James T
Heiss, Rachel E
Hessman, Patrick J
* Ho, Patrick 
Hoffman, Joel A
Horstkamp, Katlyn R
Itana, Hawi I
Jackson, Alexander M
Jacob, Salena M
Janoskie, Kelly M
Jewett, Xavier C
Ji, Chu-Qiao S
Jones, Jasmine D
Kang, Allen 
Kapuscinski, Michelle 
Katta, Ramesh K
Kim, Helena B
Kim, Kyungwan 
Kim, Michelle B
Kim, Sa Ra 
* Kind, Amanda E
* Kunz, Michael C
Langan, Christopher 
Larraabee, Erin M
Lay, Amanda T
Le, Richard A
Leach, Ashley K
Leiter, Brian 
Li, Mable 
Lowe, Nathaniel D
Lukas, Amanda K
Maeng, Sonny 
Marseille, Jonathan 
Marshall, Philip A
Martin, Tracy 
Maszkiewicz, Kevin J
McGrath, Casey J
McGrew, Kathleen A
Missah, Ellen 
Mistry, Sheetal J
Muppala, Reshma 
Naqvi, Asgher 
Njafuh, Cynthia N
Nnamani, Chidera 
Obeid, Priscilla R
Offodile, Nnaemeke M
Okonofua, Sandra 
Okunji, Chidiebere O
Oni, Oluwatimilehin 
Park, James J 
Patel, Parth 
Patterson, Whitley P
Phifer, Larissa E
Pickett, Samantha K
Pilla, Samuel 
Porter, Joel E
Purse, Desmond 
Ramkissoon, Michelle 
* Rao, Sneha 
* Rethnaswamy, Perry J
Rirksopa, Benjamin 
Robles, Eric A
Saeed, Fathiyya 
Saravia, Victor S
Sartor, Eduardo 
Sayre, Christina L
Scher, Daniel S
Schneider, Kathryn E
Schultz, Emma A
Schultz, Todd A
Shah, Krishna B
Shah, Parth 
Shaikh, Mazin 
Sharpe, Katherine M
* Sharpe, Natalie L
Shittabey, Abifoluwa 
Siarez, Jezreel 
Simon, Latonya 
Soniregun, Mofoluwaso 
Soukkaphan, Dana 
Spooner, Victoria M
Stoner, Katherine E
Strassberger, James A
Straub, Elaina D
Suarez, Francisca I
Suri, Manpreet 
Swaminathan, Anjna K
* Sylla, Mariame 
Tadesse, Kirubel B
Teboh, Carlson 
Tefera, Megdelawit B
Tinne, Melvis N
Toliver, Jordan A
* Tran, Alan T
Tran, Megan T
Ukegbu, Jennifer O
Ulysse, Marlyne N
* Vandeyar, Javier 
Vodela, Meghana S
Walters, Andrew R
Waters, Dominique C
Wolde, Mikias G
Wong, Don 
Yadata, Lenssa B
Yaunan, Sanjiv S
Yeh, Christopher 
Yi, William 
Yun, Su J

* Indicates student earned all grades of "A"

Click here for easy to print Honor Roll (pdf)

“Animated Poems” to be Broadcast on Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional TV

Three student-penned poems were at the center of intense activity last spring at Paint Branch High School, where 36 students created hundreds of drawings to bring the poems to life in three animated videos. The Paint Branch jazz ensemble and a student pianist performed the videos’ musical soundtracks, while the poets were recorded reading their creations in the school’s radio station. The completed videos, “Swing, Scat, Scamper,” “When My Hot Green Moon Froze,” and “Sweet Dreams” are showcased in “Animated Poems,” a short documentary which reveals the process behind this unique collaborative project. “Animated Poems” was screened in the Paint Branch High School Auditorium on Tuesday, October 28 at 9:15 a.m.

It will be broadcast on Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional TV Channel 34 (Comcast), Channel 36 (Verizon FiOS), and Channel 89 (RCN) on

Monday, November 10, at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 11, at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, November 12, at 6:00 pm
Thursday, November 13, at 6:00 pm
and Friday, November 14, at 7:00 pm

Students from all four grade levels worked with visiting artist Leila Cabib, whose 21-day residency was funded by grants from the Maryland State Arts Council and The Washington Post Educational Foundation and by Paint Branch High School’s Signature Program in Science and Media. From the many poems submitted by students, Ms. Cabib chose three that she felt would lend themselves to animation. “Swing, Scat, Scamper,” by senior Jared Adkins, was inspired by the French horn player’s participation in the school jazz band. “When My Hot Green Moon Froze” is senior Malcolm Banks’ exploration of “the trials and tribulations that teenagers have in life.” In “Sweet Dreams,” junior Dania Leiva fantasizes about an escape into an eternal dreamland.

Each of the 36 student animators was assigned two to four lines of a poem and asked to create a minimum of 40 sequential drawings to illustrate that segment. Ten drawings were
needed for each second of animation. “While the students were a bit overwhelmed when I asked them to create 40 drawings, most of them ended up producing many more,” says Ms. Cabib. “Each student came up with an imaginative and personal interpretation of the lines that he or she chose to animate.”

To show viewers the steps involved in the creation of the three animated poems, documentary filmmaker Cintia Cabib, Leila Cabib’s sister, videotaped the students drawing and filming their work and interviewed the poets and animators and their instructor. Her short documentary precedes the three animated videos.

Leila Cabib, who has been teaching animation as a visiting artist at Paint Branch since 2001, says that this is the most ambitious project she has worked on with students. “I wanted the students to create the entire content of the videos: the poems, the animation, the music and the narration. It’s wonderful to see this kind of collaboration between writers, artists and musicians who learn from each other and inspire each other.” A total of 55 students worked on the project. Ms. Cabib plans to submit the videos to poetry and film festivals. Three of the animated videos created by Paint Branch students in earlier residencies have been honored with national CINE awards.

To sophomore Sara Adams, who animated a portion of “Sweet Dreams,” “The best part was at the end, when you see it really come together and you realize it was worth all the work you had to do, all the coloring and all the drawing. Even though it seemed like a lot at first, it was worth it ...it just looked really cool.” Poet Malcolm Banks was also impressed: “I really love the animation...it’s like they really understand what my poem means.”
 

PAINT BRANCH NEWSPAPER TAKES
TOP HONORS
IN THE
NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL COMPETITION

The Paint Branch newspaper, Mainstream, has achieved the top All American rating from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). Mainstream was also commended with Distinction for the paper’s – coverage and content; photography, art, and graphics; layout and design; and its overall leadership.

Mainstream earned 280 out of 300 possible points to earn the All American rating. The NSPA Judge commented, the “2007-2008 Mainstream . . . clearly reflected the talent and dedication of the staff and adviser. I found it evident that this staff contributed countless hours and effort to produce this publication. Your numerous strengths include photography techniques, interviewing skills and variety of topics.”

Mainstream was also commended for its Writing and Editing and was praised for its “excellent” inclusion of international and national news in each paper. Also the students’ “outstanding selection of coverage” of news was highlighted.

Paint Branch graduates, Adrienne Chlumsky and Sanata Sy-Sahande were the Co-Editors-in-Chief of the 2007-2008 Mainstream.

Brian Woodward is in his sixth year as Mainstream Advisor. The Mainstream has won a number of awards from national and local journalism organizations under Mr. Woodward’s supervision including: a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist two years in a row, a first place in Best Sports Feature Story from Towson University, first place for its online newspaper in the Montgomery County Media Festival in 2005 and a first place award in the 2005 – 2006 American Scholastic Press Association’s Annual newspaper competition.

To view the Mainstream online go to:

http://my.highschooljournalism.org/md/burtonsville/pbhs/

Paint Branch Marching Band Takes 1st Place
Drumline and Colorguard Also Best in Competition
at Northwest High School

The Paint Branch Marching Band competed at Northwest High School on Saturday, October 25, 2008 in the US Scholastic Band Association (USSBA) Marching Competition. They received 1st place in Group I, and were recognized for best Drumline, Colorguard, Music, Visual and Overall Effect in their division. The band's score of 80.6 was an 11-point improvement from their competition on October 11, 2008, and was the marching band's best score since 2004!

The marching band includes students in grades 9-12, with 20 total members. Members include Bummah Ndeh, Eric Rosario, Jennifer Stanton, Ryan Anderson, Robert Johnson III, Alex Measday, Annie Vital, Kavi Girdhar, Cyrell Lawson, Jordan Lloyd, Edward Wilson, Marly Diallo, Amanda Lay and Kade Nicholson.

The Marching Band is led by senior Drum Major Jong Park. Section leaders include Jessica Tran for Colorguard, Steven Friedman, Percussion, Eric Kuhn, Brass, Marthe Ambroise, Woodwinds, and Claudy St. Paul as the Field Captain.

The band is Directed by Sean Kirchhoff in his second year as the band’s Director, and assisted by Band Instructor Dorothy Lee and Colorguard Instructor Laura Hoffmaster.