Education Foundation Announces Fall Event

The Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation announces the second annual “Mission Possible – Celebrating TCPS Alumni and Supporting Teachers” fundraiser on Friday, November 15 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Milestone Event Center.  The event will include a cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a reverse auction benefitting the foundation’s grants program.  Mr. Sandy McAllister and Mrs. Eleanor “Tot” O’Mara will serve as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.

The purpose of the event is to recognize distinguished alumni, celebrate Talbot County Public Education, and raise funds, awareness, and support for the Education Foundation.  “We are very excited about this year’s event,” said Becky Firth, foundation Advisory Board Vice Chair.  “This is an opportunity for TCPS Alumni and other members of the community to enjoy a fun evening together while supporting our teachers and students.  Several teachers will be on hand to share their grant proposals so that guests can see first-hand examples of the innovative instructional initiatives that we are striving to fund.”  Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased on-line at www.tcpsedfoundation.org or by calling Debbie Gardner at (410)822-0330, ext. 102.  There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available as well.

The 2019 Mission Possible Honorees were selected for their outstanding professional accomplishments, their commitment to giving back to their communities, and their belief in and support of public education.  They are as follows:

Mr. Walter E. Chase, Sr., Robert Russa Moton High School Class of 1953

Mr. Chase earned a certificate in Law Enforcement from Chesapeake College, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the Maryland State Police Academy.  He was employed by the Easton Police Department from 1959 to 1998, serving as Chief of Police from 1995 to 1998, the first African American to hold this position.  He has also served the community in numerous ways, including leadership positions for the Neighborhood Service Center, Channel Marker, the Talbot County Branch of the NAACP, the Samuel T. Hemsley Lodge #974 I.B.P.O.E of the W., and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).  Mr. Chase was the first African American elected as Commissioner of the Town of Trappe, and is a member of Waters United Methodist Church.

Mr. Roger E. Clark, St. Michaels High School Class of 1961

Mr. Clark earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Salisbury State College (Salisbury University) in 1965 and a Master’s in Education from Western Maryland (McDaniel) College.  For 30 years he served the children of Talbot County as an educator, which included administrative leadership as Principal of Easton Middle, Easton High and St. Michaels High schools.  After his retirement from the school district, he owned a successful Real Estate firm.  Mr. Clark serves on the Board of Camp Wright, is a member of Christ Episcopal Church St. Michaels, and has been an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Michaels for many years and serves on the Scholarship Committee. He has continued to be a passionate supporter of TCPS students and staff.

Margaret ("Peggy") Baker Rennels, M.D., Easton High School Class of 1963

Dr. Rennels obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Skidmore College as well as an M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she completed training in Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases and subsequently became a tenured Professor.  Dr. Rennels cared for patients, taught, and was involved with clinical evaluations of vaccines. Her vaccine work led to her involvement in national vaccine policy. Since retiring and returning to the Eastern Shore, she has continued to devote her energies to the well-being of children through her work on the Board of Directors of the Critchlow Adkin’s Children’s Centers and served as its President for two years. She is a volunteer for the Imagination Library and serves on the board of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

The Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation was established in 2016 in partnership with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.  Its mission is to engage the community in supporting excellence in public education and provide resources to enhance the teaching and learning experience for all.  To date the foundation has funded nearly $50,000 in grants, including projects such as “Creating Robotic Engineers,” “Diversity in Classroom Libraries,” “STEM with Drones,” an “Outdoor Classroom,” ”St. Michaels Campus Mosaic ~ Shine it UP,” “Understanding Archaeology - The Hill Project” and the “Aquatic Science Field Lab.” To learn more about supporting the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation, visit www.tcspedfoundation.org or contact Debbie Gardner, Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Programs at 410-822-0330 ext. 102 or by email at dgardner(at)talbotschools.org.