Cowles, assistant director of the school’s high-energy, animated comedy, “The Commedia: Princess and the Pea,” which opens Thursday at Liberty High in Eldersburg, was looking for students with cartwheeling abilities to entertain audiences at the top of the show.

Cast members — consisting of 25 students — wore costumes decked out in rainbow patches and had their hair in bubble braids tied with multicolored ribbons. A crew of about 50 students supports the show.

Performances will be held Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Each runs for about an hour.

The show is a unique retelling of the classic fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” in the style of old Italian theater, leaning heavily on physical comedy. The show is undoubtedly engaging for kids and adults alike.

Danielle Dickstein, theater teacher and director of Liberty’s drama program, said she wants her students to have experience performing a wide array of themes and styles.

This show, which has a captivating set design and impressive ensemble,  gives the Liberty students an opportunity to perform children’s theater.

Student designers were involved in every element of the show, said Dickstein: “My goal is for students to be able to walk away with as many skills as possible. That doesn’t have to be in theater, but transfers to all kinds of different walks of life and careers.”

Jamie Poczekaj, 16, is an 11th grade sound designer for the show. She worked on the soundboard for last year’s productions of “Cinderella” and “Eurydice,” but this is her first time doing sound design. She appreciates the opportunity to learn new skills and said she wants to work in sound design again for the school’s next production, “Guys and Dolls.”

This production makes use of Kelsey Alexander’s crochet and theater skills. Alexander, 16, is a junior who plays Columbine, one of the show’s narrators. She volunteered to crochet the pea for the show. She said that Liberty’s theater company is the best one she’s ever been a part of. “We just have so much fun doing everything,” she said.

“There’s a notion about bad high school theater,” Dickstein said, but she rejects that as a premise for high school shows. She wants her students to be proud of the work they’ve done, and she knows the students can achieve high standards of performance, she said.

Her students agree and appreciate the quality of the shows and the energy and enthusiasm of the participants.

“It’s so fun and bright and colorful,” said Connor Reinartz, 15, who plays the prince, describing the show and the environment. “If I’m feeling like sad in class, I look forward to coming to rehearsal afterwards,” he said.

Maxwell Karper, 17, is a junior who initially started performing theater in first grade. He plays Punchin and Mezzetino in the show, the “absent-minded” adviser to the queen. He was one of the students chosen to perform a cartwheel and round-off. “This drama program is so fun. One of my favorite parts is absolutely just how accepting everybody is,” he said.

Zoe Layton, 17, is a senior who plays the queen. “I love being a different role than I am in real life. I love being evil. Like evil roles are my favorite kind of roles because I’m usually super sweet in real life,” Layton said.

Unlike Karper and Layton, Brooklyn McCulloh, 14, has never performed theater before. “I’ve definitely found out that I love acting, and I want to be an actress when I grow up.” She said she learns a lot by observing her fellow students who have years of experience, and was thrilled when she was accepted to the program. She encourages all students to try performing.

Show performances will be held at the Liberty High School auditorium at 5855 Bartholow Road in Eldersburg. Tickets can be purchased online at libertylionsprideplayers.com/tickets. Priority access tickets cost $15 and allow ticket holders auditorium admission 40 minutes before the show time and 10 minutes ahead of general admission. General admission tickets cost $10 and allow entrance 30 minutes before showtime. $12 general admission tickets can be purchased at the door.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

One option would have public schools starting after Labor Day, as usual, on Sept. 8, 2026. The second option has a start date of Aug. 31, before Labor Day, which is Sept 7.

Superintendent Cynthia McCabe came up with the two calendar options earlier this year and the school board allowed the Carroll County community the opportunity to weigh in on them. A final vote is scheduled at Wednesday’s meeting.

Also at this month’s school board meeting, officials will discuss immigration enforcement policy. Maryland law requires each local Board of Education to develop a policy for interacting with ICE at schools that’s consistent with the state Attorney General’s ICE policies.

“CCPS staff have worked with legal counsel to develop a policy consistent with the guidance which was made available this summer,” wrote Jon O’Neal, the CCPS assistant superintendent of operations.

The proposed immigration enforcement policy will be discussed at Wednesday’s board meeting before it’s published for a public feedback period. In December, the board will vote on the policy.

The Trump administration is allowing federal immigration enforcement activity to take place at previously restricted places, such as churches and schools. Carey Wright, the state’s public school superintendent, sent a memo on immigration enforcement to school district superintendents in January.

The memo said: “Federal and state laws protect education records and personal information,” and “these laws generally require written consent from parents/guardians before releasing information, unless it is for educational purposes, otherwise authorized by law, or in response to a court order or subpoena.” The guidelines from Wright say that schools should communicate with their superintendent and attorneys before they fulfill requests from federal immigration authorities.

This month’s Carroll Board of Education agenda also includes a presentation on the Maryland School Report Card evaluations, school attendance rates and average class sizes.

State data released last week showed that seven Carroll County public schools gained a star in the 2024-25 academic year, and every school in the county achieved at least three stars out of five. Carroll County elementary schools posted the state’s second-highest achievement scores, and middle schools ranked third.

A presentation Wednesday will break down this year’s performance, compare the results with past years’ data, and touch on the ways the school system can improve. The school board will also review overall attendance data. Attendance is linked to school success ratings, and student attendance at Carroll County’s public schools has consistently been better than state averages.

A report on average class sizes at every Carroll County public school, as well as general averages at elementary, middle and high schools, is also on the agenda for discussion.

The average class size at Carroll high schools shrank slightly from 22.9 last year to 21.8 this year. Middle school class sizes have stayed about the same, at 25.2 students per class. Elementary school class sizes dropped slightly, from 23.3 last year to 22.5 this year.

The school system also tracks how many classes in each division have over 30 students per class.

Elementary schools had no classes larger than 30. Middle schools had the most of the three divisions, with 182 classes having more than 30 students. At high schools, 93 classes had more than 30 students.

The Board of Education meeting’s public portion begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the conference room at 25 N. Court St. in Westminster.

School board meetings are open to the public and livestreamed on the Carroll County Public Schools YouTube channel and viewable on the right side of the Board of Education’s website at carrollk12.org/board-of-education/meeting-informationunder CETV Livestream. Meetings are also broadcast throughout the month on Carroll Educational Television, Channel 21. Anyone who wishes to participate must fill out an online sign-up form at carrollk12.org/board-of-education/meeting-information or call the communications office at 410-751-3020 by 9 p.m. on the Tuesday before a meeting.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

Shiloh Middle School in Hampstead

Veterans are invited to enjoy breakfast in the Shiloh Middle cafeteria from the Dutch Corner Restaurant in Manchester, Tuesday, 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. The menu items include scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and pancakes. Breakfast will be free for veterans and their Shiloh student. The school will also host veterans as guest speakers in classes and create a video tribute to veterans. The school is located at 3675 Willow St. in Hampstead.

Hampstead Elementary School

On Tuesday at 2 p.m., Hampstead Elementary will honor veterans at a program featuring a performance from the school chorus and contributions from each grade. Hampstead Elementary’s principal, Addison Beck, will recognize each veteran present. The special guests will be presented with “a token of appreciation” from the students. The PTO will host a light reception ahead of the program. The school is located at 3737 Shiloh Road in Hampstead.

Mount Airy Elementary School

Veterans are invited to enjoy a light breakfast and program at Mount Airy Elementary at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The event will feature student musical performances and a flag-raising ceremony. Afterward, veterans will share stories with students in classrooms. The school is located at 405 N. Main St., in Mount Airy.

McDaniel College in Westminster

McDaniel College will host a Veterans Day recognition ceremony to honor veterans on Tuesday at the Baker Memorial Chapel from 10 a.m. to noon. The program will feature a slideshow presentation, guest speaker and light refreshments. The campus is located at 2 College Hill in Westminster.

Liberty High School in Eldersburg

On Tuesday from 8 to 10 a.m., Liberty High School will host a Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony. Students in the Liberty High vocal ensembles and instrumental programs will perform for the program which will be held in the auditorium. The school is located at 5855 Bartholow Road in Eldersburg.

Taneytown Elementary School

A Veterans Day breakfast, music performance and student parade will be held at Taneytown Elementary School on Tuesday, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. The school is located at 100 Kings Drive in Taneytown.

Winters Mill High School in Westminster

On Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Winters Mill High School will host a brief ceremony and breakfast in addition to a parade through the school’s building. The school is located at 560 Gorsuch Road in Westminster.

Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge 

On Friday from 8 to 9:30 a.m, Francis Scott Key High School will host a program honoring local veterans. A car parade will close out the program, which will include a breakfast and student performances, recognizing veterans. The school is located at 3825 Bark Hill Road in Union Bridge.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

This is the third year the county has offered the government career expo, and about 100 people attended, according to Victoria Parks, talent acquisition specialist for Carroll County government and lead organizer of the event. Parks has worked in this role for nine months and previously worked with the Department of Citizen Services as a project coordinator.

“We hear a lot of jokes that the building is kind of like a maze, and so is … figuring out where you want to be, what you want to do with life,” Parks said, adding that some attendees come to the event with a specific plan for who they want to connect with, while others arrive without a clear idea of who they’re looking to meet.

Carroll Community College sent a shuttle full of students to the program, and Parks said McDaniel College and local high schools were instrumental in publicizing the event, too.

Christine Cambareri, public relations manager for Carroll County government, said the people she met at the event varied in age and work experience.

“I met one woman who said she was furloughed currently from the federal government, I had students from McDaniel, some high school students looking for internships, some folks looking for a second career,” she said. “It’s kind of a mixed bag.”

County attorney Tim Burke sat at a table with a big bowl of Goetze’s caramel creams. “Even if we don’t have openings, they like to get us exposed to the public,” he said. He said he spoke with a number of young people about summer internships in his office.

Riley Shelton, 25, lives in Westminster and works as an optometrist technician. Her grandmother encouraged her to attend the event. She said she likes her current job, “but something just is calling me to do something different.”

Another attendee, Edward Ngere, 19, came to find a job in information technology or cybersecurity. He graduated from Westminster High School last year and now attends Carroll Community College, studying cybersecurity. He said he enjoys networking and meeting local professionals.

Ngere offered advice to those on the job hunt: “Keep pushing.”

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

Winters Mill High School drama students will perform their take on the play, adapted for a high school audience, this weekend and next.

In the story, on a dark and stormy night, six guests are invited to a dinner party at the Boddy Mansion and discover that they’re all being blackmailed for their various “un-American” behavior. The show is set during the 1950s, at the height of the Red Scare. After a killing takes place in the mansion, the cast of characters must discover who committed it, where it took place, and with what weapon, staying true to the objective of the original board game.

Performances begin Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and continue Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. The play — which was written by Sandy Rustin and based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn— runs for 1 1/2 hours.

Natalie Bolander is an English and drama teacher at Winters Mill who also runs the drama program. This is her fourth year at the high school, and she said her students have been begging to perform “Clue” for a few years. The students were thrilled when the show choice was announced.

Bolander’s grandfather, Walter Hann, is a retired electrician. Just before the school year started, he visited the school, evaluated the already-existing inventory, took some notes, and went to Home Depot to make some additional purchases, before he built the whole set in his garage. He delivered the set to the school over the course of three Saturdays, Bolander said.

“Students and their parents volunteered to paint it,” she added.

Ticket sales fund the drama program, and if there’s a need that the drama program can’t meet itself, Bolander reaches out to the parent-run drama boosters club, which does independent fundraising.

Bolander noted that one challenge in putting on a production of “Clue” was the sheer number of props necessary for the performance.

Tenth grader James Miller, 15, plays Col. Mustard, one of the guests at the mansion. Miller said he has a lot in common with Mustard. “Col. Mustard, honestly … portrays a lot of my personality. We’re very ADHD, definitely,” he said with a laugh.

Oliver Naugle, 16, is a junior who plays Wadsworth, a British butler, leading the cast through the murder mystery.

Naugle has been performing in theater since fourth grade and has known some of the other cast members, such as Miller, for years. “It’s really nice getting to see him grow up and work with him in high school,” he said.

With many lines for each cast members to manage, some students are taking a new approach to an age-old challenge for theater performers. Cy Olsen, 14, a ninth grader who plays the motorist, said he memorized his lines using Quizlet, a digital flashcard website.

Lucy Ehmann, 14, also learned her lines using Quizlet, as the understudy for Ms. Peacock. She also learned how to tap dance for her role as the “singing telegram,” an iconic character from the 1985 film. She said she’s enjoyed working with the cast and crew, and having the opportunity to connect with her peers.

Bolander said she’s been impressed with how the actors are making legendary and beloved characters their own.

“Anyone who’s a fan of the film … definitely come, because the script does stay true to the movie, with just a few tweaks here and there, but the ending is its own special thing,” she said.

Performances of “Clue” will be held in the Winters Mill High School auditorium at 560 Gorsuch Road in Westminster. Tickets cost $5 for students, $15 for adults and $10 for seniors.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

During Monday night’s rehearsal, a buzz of excitement filled the air as students dressed in 1940s garb and animal ears walked through the halls.

More than 75 students are involved in the production, according to theatre teacher and drama program director Bobbi Vinson. Performances will be held Nov. 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7 p.m. The trio of shows runs for about two hours.

The first play, “Sorry, Wrong Number,” is a 1946 radio thriller about a bedridden woman who overhears a murder plot. The play was produced as a blockbuster film in 1948. The show features 13 students and is directed by student Vivian Huntington.

Huntington, 17, said she’s enjoyed directing a serious show that she knows audience members will appreciate. She is especially excited for the annual Veterans Dinner, during which local vets are offered a free dinner and a show experience, on Saturday.

“Goldilocks on Trial” is a courtroom comedy in which Goldilocks is tried for her crimes. The show is directed by senior Dominick Olimpio, 17. Though this is his first theater directing experience, Olimpio has directed films at the Carroll County Career and Technology Center.

He said his cast of 24 has a lot of theater “newcomers,” and while he’s had to give a few reminders about projecting and cheating out — angling one’s body toward the audience— he’s enjoyed the directing process.

In “Modern Fairy Tale EPIC Fails,” a comedy directed by Anson Butler, 17, two parents offer retellings of classic fairytales to their internet-obsessed daughter. This show answers the questions: “What if Cinderella was an Instagram influencer?” and “What if the three little pigs were having to … troubleshoot insurance policies?” Butler said.

Butler said that one of his biggest challenges was tackling set design “without making it too drastic,” with a script that switches back and forth from a child’s bedroom to other scenes.

Blake Miller, 17, and Samson Thomas Wade, 17, are childhood best friends who play Hansel and Gretel in “Modern Fairy Tales.”

The two juniors said they love doing impressions together, and are thrilled that the play allows them to put their German accents on display. “German is one we’ve had in our back pocket for quite a while,” Miller said, “and it got its stage debut in the show.”

Ace Koch, 17, is a junior, who designs and alters costumes. Koch took sewing classes for two years, offering the best preparation for a production like this. “I like the look on people’s faces when you can tell they really feel good in their costume, like they feel confident when they can feel their character,” they said.

Tickets are available at the door and cost $8 for students and $10 for adults. Performances will be held in the Manchester Valley High School auditorium at 3300 Maple Grove Road in Manchester.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

Carroll County elementary schools posted the state’s second-highest achievement scores, and middle schools ranked third.

Only one Carroll school declined by a star: Cranberry Station Elementary in Westminster dropped to three stars this year after earning four stars the prior year. All other schools in the county maintained their ratings from last year.

The Maryland School Report Card evaluation is based on a rubric determining school success in key areas including academic achievement in English and math, “well-rounded” curriculum, chronic absenteeism and graduation rates.

In Carroll, high schools had the highest rate of chronic absenteeism, with 25% of students marked as chronically absent. Elementary schools had the lowest rate at 15.2%, while middle schools were at 19.4%. Students are considered chronically absent if they miss at least 10% of school days.

The Maryland State Department of Education has set a three-year goal to reduce statewide chronic absenteeism to 15%. The department has developed initiatives to meet that target, including a State Attendance Task Force to improve attendance.

Schools that gained one star in Carroll include the Gateway School in Westminster; Freedom District Elementary in Sykesville; North Carroll Middle in Hampstead; Manchester Elementary in Manchester; Piney Ridge Elementary in Eldersburg; Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary in Union Bridge; and Runnymede Elementary in Westminster.

Century High School had no star change but was one point shy of earning five stars. Westminster’s East Middle was one point away from reaching four stars.

Elementary and middle schools met the state benchmarks for academic progress, school quality and success improvement; however, high schools struggled in a few categories.

Although Carroll’s high schools on average did not improve English language proficiency scores, the county’s high schools were ranked sixth in the state for academic achievement. Academic achievement measures proficiency in English language arts and mathematics.

The county’s graduation rate did not improve, and subsequently, Carroll high schools fell below the graduation rate target.

Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Cynthia McCabe said Tuesday in a statement: “While this report provides us with excellent information about academic achievement, it also provides [a] wealth of other information that allows us to look at the academic experience of our students through a wider lens.”

She added that CCPS will use the report card data and MCAP data together, “to better the educational experience for our students.”

Baltimore Sun editor Steve Early contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

Voters in the 2026 election can showcase their voter status with “I Voted” stickers designed specifically for Carroll County.

Entrance eligibility extends from kindergartners to adults with four age group categories: elementary school, middle school, high school and adults. Entries are due on Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m., and after a selection period by Board of Elections judges, sticker finalist voting will open to the public. The final winners will be announced Jan. 23.

The first sticker design contest in Carroll County was held in 2023 for the 2024 election and had 17 entries. This year, 20 designs have already been entered into the competition.

Mia Faber leads the Carroll County sticker contest, and works as the board’s election program supervisor. She said participants from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County also will enter, with the group using the contest as an opportunity for a fun activity that focuses on civic engagement.

Erin Perrone is the election director at the Carroll County Board of Elections. She’s held the position since November 2023. Perrone worked at the state Board of Elections in Annapolis before beginning work in Carroll County, and said that in her former role, she worked to run the “I Voted” sticker statewide.

Faber, recognizing the art program at Carroll Community College and artists at the county’s senior centers, said she wants everyone to be able to participate. “Just because the adults are adults, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to be included in the fun,” she said.

The youngest participants, elementary school kids, will design “Future Voter” stickers, while the other age groups will design the classic “I Voted” sticker. Faber also noted next year’s 250th anniversary of the U.S. as an additional reason this contest is special.

While the use of generative AI has been banned from the contest, human-made art is welcomed and celebrated, she added.

More information on the contest can be found at https://elections.carrollcountymd.gov/.

Contest forms should be emailed to ccboe@carrollcountymd.gov or mailed to the Carroll County Board of Elections at P.O. Box 3191, Westminster, MD 21158.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

Mills, who lives in Baltimore County, was recently honored in the Bahamas with a prestigious national service award.

Mills grew up on the island of Bimini, about 50 miles off the coast of Miami, and is one of 16 children. She received the award Oct. 13 from Cynthia Pratt, governor general of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The ceremony was held on Bahamian Heroes Day, a holiday celebrating the critical contributions of Bahamians to the country’s success and growth.

Mills earned the award for her development of community and school counseling programs, which have been implemented across the Bahamas. As the supervisor of special services with the Ministry of Education, she headed five departments, including special education.

Under her leadership, the government hired more psychologists and school counselors to support tens of thousands of students and staff.

She also made significant strides in her work destigmatizing conversations about mental health. Her work is far-reaching. “I have trained officers in every government department in my country. I have trained and spoken to almost every major school there is in my country. I have trained and worked with almost every church,” she said.

Mills has been teaching since 2000. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education and master’s degree in community counseling from Barry University in Florida before completing doctoral work at Howard University and Union Institute and University.

“I always thought that children with disabilities were ignored in classes when I was younger,” and she wanted to do something about it.

In 2018, Mills began teaching at Frederick Community College. In 2023, she began her position at Carroll Community College.

“We took the islands by storm, going around and ensuring that people were OK, helping social services with assessments, working with the Red Cross, supplying the government with the statistics on the things that people needed,” she said.

In her past work in the Bahamas and in her present work in Carroll County, Mills takes a holistic approach to wellness by ensuring her students and clients understand the value of mental health and resilience. She said that spirituality and her Christian faith are essential for her in developing a well-rounded approach to self-improvement and coping.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

Born in Washington, D.C., Mr. German was the son of the late William German, a Maryland state employee who helped oversee road maintenance, and the late Ellen German, who worked for the Montgomery County Board of Education.

Mr. German graduated from Damascus High School, where he played football in 1980, before joining the Air Force. An airman, he served from 1980 to 1984 and was stationed in Colorado.

He met his wife of 40 years, Lisa, while he was stationed in Colorado. They married in 1985 in Burtonsville and later moved to Germantown, where they lived for 15 years.

Mr. German worked at NASA for about two years before moving to a job as an electrician at the Department of Energy for 10 years. His favorite part of the job was working in the same building as his wife, according to a daughter, Krystal McHenka. He also worked at the Old Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C., for about five years as an electrical supervisor. Highlights of that job included golf lessons from President Jimmy Carter and meeting actor Arnold Schwarzenegger while he filmed a movie there.

For 15 years, he worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He liked telling people he made money, his daughters said.

He also worked as the building manager for Tri-County Baptist Church and was a devoted volunteer.

Mr. German was co-owner of Whispering Meadows Alpaca Breeders in Mount Airy, which he owned and operated with his wife for more than 20 years. He also led the Alpha Alpaca 4-H Club, which the Maryland Alpaca Breeders Association said was the largest alpaca club in the state.  Known to club members as “Mr. Rick,” he was known for encouraging each youth member, ranging in age from 5 to 18, to reach their full potential, even if it meant they were pushed a bit out of their comfort zone.

One of his daughters, Tiffany German, said that if a child was struggling with their alpaca, he would remain calm and supportive. “He’s one that could stay calm in a storm,” she said.

Julie Odland, of Frederick, met Mr. German about 12 years ago when her children joined the alpaca club. She served as the club’s co-leader with him and recalled his larger-than-life personality. “He had a way of getting kids to be successful that, just … mystified me,” she said.

The 4-H kids adored him and would bake Mr. German snickerdoodle cookies, his favorite treat, for holidays and his birthday.

On Nov. 8-9, the 4-H club members will show alpacas at the Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds. They’ll dress up with their alpacas and join a parade, carrying on Mr. German’s legacy and demonstrating the impact he had on all who knew him.

Friends and family say Mr. German will be remembered for his big personality, talkative nature, his sense of humor —he would eat anything for money, they said— and commitment to his church and his faith.

Surviving Mr. German, in addition to his wife Lisa (Nixon) German, are two daughters, Tiffany German, of Mount Airy, and Krystal McHenka, of Westminster; grandchildren Dodge, Shane and Ella; two brothers, Robert, of Adamstown, and Ronald, of Frederick; seven nieces; and two nephews.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296.