Achieve Success Together At HCPSS To Receive Governor's Award

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Current and former Howard County Public School System students seated on the Achieve Success Together team have been chosen to receive the 2020 Governor's Service Award in the team category for their service. The AST program strives to close opportunity gaps among minority and disadvantaged students.

AST was founded in 2016 through the creation of the AST Enrich program, where high school students instructed younger students in subjects such as public speaking and writing. AST soon opened a second program, AST Shine, where elementary school students who are part of the Free and Reduced Meals or ESOL programs were able to receive small group tutoring at no cost. Since its creation, more than 250 FARM and ESOL students have been served, with more than 100 student volunteers participating in the program.

During the coronavirus pandemic, AST launched two new programs: AST Solo and AST Summer. AST Solo was launched after schools closed in March, offering free, virtual one-on-one tutoring for students for a month. In June, the team launched AST Summer to offer virtual summer enrichment opportunities for students to explore new interests despite cancelled in-person activities. AST also allocated 20 percent of its revenue toward financial aid for students to ensure that its mission of equitable education was reflected in this new environment.

AST also offered a community service class this summer in which students created their own passion project and learned invaluable problem-solving and leadership skills while serving the community. One student spent their time donating food and raising money for those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic financially.

The Governor’s Service Awards, presented by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, recognizes Marylanders for their significant volunteer contributions to the state and its citizens.