Superintendent honored at meeting

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

At Tuesday's Calvert County Board of County Commissioners meeting representatives from the American Cancer Society lauded the county as a whole for its participation in June's 13th Annual Relay for Life.

The organization also recognized one individual in particular.

Calvert County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith, who has served as Relay for Life's honorary chairperson for the past two years, was named "Superintendent of the Year" for the region and credited with Calvert being one of two counties in Maryland boasting 100 percent school participation.

Relay for Life co-chair Paula Rosnage credited Smith with "exemplifying everything a superintendent should do" when it comes to Relay for Life, and said that 22 percent of the money raised this year came from the schools.

"It's a pleasure to see you surprised; I've never seen you surprised before," Calvert County Commissioners President Wilson Parran (D) joked to Smith, who replied "I am surprised; and humbled."

Rosnage also announced that next year's Relay for Life will be held June 18, 2010, at Hallowing Point Park in Barstow.

Commissioner Susan Shaw (R) personally lauded the American Cancer Society's efforts, calling herself "The poster child for early detection."

Shaw said that Oct. 1 first marked her one-year anniversary as a cancer survivor.

"Please get your mammograms," Shaw said, referencing recent reports that women should wait until they are 50 or older to get mammograms as "absolutely crazy."

Commissioner Barbara Stinnett (D) echoed Shaw and said the public should not necessarily believe everything it reads.

"Your health is in your own hands and you need to protect yourself," she said.

lbuck@somdnews.com