ROCKVILLE, MD—Four students from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) won top awards while competing against students statewide in the Together We’re Better Contest, a program sponsored by a public/private partnership including the Maryland State Department of Education and The Arc of Maryland. The contest recognizes the creative talents of students with disabilities. Competing students were encouraged to create posters and write essays and poems to explain why inclusive schools are good for students, families, and communities.

MCPS students won first, second, and third place honors in the elementary poetry writing categories and third place in the high school essay category. Elementary class winners receive a class party, and middle and high school individual winners receive cash awards or gift cards.

• First Place, Westover Elementary School, Rosa Doxtater’s Kindergarten Class
• Second Place, Westover Elementary School, Deborah Eskenazi’s Fourth Grade Class
• Third Place, Summit Hall Elementary School, Gretchen Beckman’s Fifth Grade Class
• Third Place, Jennifer Kuo, Thomas S. Wootton High School.

Students from Mongtomery County and throughout the state will be recognized at a reception to be held on the evening of February 17, 2009, at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West Street, Annapolis, MD.

Other agencies supporting the awards program are The Maryland Department of Disabilities, The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education.