Board Of Education Names Three Finalists for Student Service Awards
The Montgomery County Board of Education has named three student finalists for its Student Service Award. This award honors a current student who contributes a significant amount of time and expertise to MCPS programs, develops and/or implements exemplary programs or projects, and makes contributions that benefit the entire school system.
The finalists are: German Diaz-Peña, a senior at Rockville High School, Samantha (Sam) Ross, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School, and Kylie Zhang, a sophomore at Poolesville High School.
Read about the finalists:
A senior at Rockville High School, German Diaz-Peña transformed his passion for sports into a dynamic, student-led initiative — as the Sports-Announcing Operations Manager for the school’s Broadcast Journalism program. After an injury ended his athletic career, he channeled his energy into organizing and leading the coverage of all Rockville sports events, ensuring the program’s success through careful scheduling, assigning reporters and providing engaging commentary. His leadership and professionalism have garnered praise from faculty and peers, with the athletic director noting, “It's the A-team, I don't need to worry about anything tonight.”
German is not only committed to his responsibilities, but also dedicated to helping others succeed. He regularly offers constructive feedback to fellow student announcers, coaches them with a positive attitude and recruits future leaders to ensure the program’s sustainability. His contributions extend beyond the school, including a partnership with MCPS-TV and volunteering to take photos at senior nights and games, always offering his work to other schools in need.
German also serves as vice president of Rockville’s Student Government Association. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, earning the Seal of Biliteracy. His ambition to pursue a career in sports medicine reflects his desire to help others, a commitment that has shaped his service both in and out of school.
Since her freshman year at Montgomery Blair High School, Samantha (Sam) Ross, now a senior, has been a tireless advocate for students, participating in the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association (MCR) and becoming an Executive Board Member. As Policy Director of MCR, she passed amendments that promote equity and inclusion. Sam's commitment to student advocacy is evident in her 14 testimonies to the Montgomery County Board of Education, where she addressed important student issues with informed and student-centric feedback. Sam has also lobbied for state-level change in Annapolis, supporting bills that promote safety, quality education and equity.
Her leadership, which includes co-chairing the District Assessment Committee and advocating for policies, such as the Safe Schools Resolution, has left a lasting legacy. She gained valuable experience through MCPS internships and as an apprentice with the Division of PreK-12 Curriculum. Sam has inspired students, especially young women, to pursue leadership roles and challenge traditional boundaries. A candidate for Student Member of the Board (SMOB) in 2024, her campaign empowered students from diverse backgrounds to follow her lead and demonstrated her commitment to fostering inclusive leadership. As she prepares to graduate this year, she plans to return as a teacher, furthering her dedication to improving the educational experience for future generations.
Poolesville High School sophomore Kylie Zhang, a standout leader and advocate for community service, has made an indelible mark on Montgomery County through the Hearts of Comfort Project. Launched in December 2023, the initiative involves students from various MCPS programs, including SEEDS, Thrive and Growing & Giving clubs. The project creates and distributes heart-shaped pillows for patients at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, a non-profit member of Johns Hopkins Medicine. In less than a year, the project has produced more than 350 pillows, providing comfort to patients during recovery while offering students valuable opportunities for skill development in sewing, teamwork and project management.
For many involved in the project, especially those with special needs, this initiative has created a sense of purpose and pride, fostering empathy and teaching the power of community service. In addition to the personal growth of the students, the project has strengthened the culture of service learning within MCPS, demonstrating the potential for student-led initiatives to make a significant difference.
In 2024, the Hearts of Comfort Project received Suburban Hospital’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, underscoring its importance and far-reaching impact. Kylie’s leadership exemplifies the values of empathy, collaboration and the ability to turn a simple idea into a meaningful, sustainable community service initiative.
The winner of the Student Service Award will be announced at the Distinguished Service to Education Honors celebration on Tuesday, May 6 at The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda.
Mark your calendars! The entire community is invited to attend this free event that will celebrate the power of public education and also honor top educators, supporting staff and community partners. It will be held at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.; the program begins at 6:30 p.m.
RSVP.