January 12
CMITN563 / January 12, 2026
CMIT North High School CHRONICLE
Celebrating Mastery, Inspiration, and Teamwork
EXCELLENCE
ISSUE #18
CMIT North continues to shine through the excellence of its students, staff, and community. This edition highlights moments of achievement across academics, the arts, athletics, leadership, and service. From competitive successes and creative performances to meaningful partnerships and future-focused opportunities, our school community remains committed to growth and innovation. Each story reflects the dedication, collaboration, and pride that define CMIT North. We invite you to explore, celebrate, and stay connected to the many ways our Tigers lead and succeed.
📌 CMIT North HS Newsletter is published every Sunday
(or Monday if the Monday follows a holiday weekend).
SY25-26: CMIT North HS Newsletter Publication dates & Links
SY25-26- Administrator/Program leads and Coaches
SY25-26 (Quick Access) CMIT North HS Family Info Hub
Gemma Clarke, Ph.D. - Program Coordinator STEM
CAPTURING MOMENTS
FORENSIC MOCK TRIAL SUCCESS - ALL STAR BALLOT
The CMIT North Forensic Mock Trial team's dedication reached a new zenith on Thursday, January 8, as they showcased exceptional skill at the Roosevelt High School competition, delivering a powerful performance that earned them an impressive 88 points. Their hard work truly shone, with special recognition going to ninth-grader Jonathan Moncada, who was deservedly named the All-Star Ballot Lawyer of the Night for his standout advocacy. This stellar courtroom showing is a testament to the team's relentless pursuit of excellence and serves as a strong indicator of their future trajectory.
The club are also en route to having an externship this summer, a strategic initiative that will further hone their practical skills, build professional networks, and provide invaluable, real-world experience beyond the mock courtroom. Congratulations to the entire team for representing CMIT North with such professionalism and skill, both in competition and in their proactive pursuit of professional development opportunities.
The Jazz Band and String Clubs: Music That Brings Us Together
Jazz Band & String Clubs Spotlight
The Jazz Band and String Clubs continue to enrich our school community by serenading students and staff during lunch and special events with outstanding live performances. These groups shine not only in talent but also in collaboration—especially within the String Club, where students actively support and learn from one another.
Special thanks to Mr. Carter for his dedicated leadership and mentorship, which make each performance meaningful. Be sure to watch for their Valentine’s presentation and end-of-year concert.
Strikes & Smiles: CMIT North MS & HS Holiday Bowling Bash
On Thursday, December 19, Middle School and High School staff came together for a festive holiday bowling celebration at the College Park bowling alley. Generously sponsored by Principals Mr. Brauer and Dr. Gaskins, the event was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and holiday cheer.
This gathering offered a wonderful opportunity for educators to unwind, connect, and celebrate the season together outside the classroom. The smiles, teamwork, and joyful moments captured truly reflect the strong sense of community and camaraderie that make CMIT North such a special place.
Matching Sweatshirt Friday:
On Friday, teachers proudly wore their matching sweatshirts, a thoughtful gift received during our Winter Glow event. The coordinated look added warmth, school spirit, and unity across campus.
These sweatshirts were also worn by staff and volunteers during school competition days, showcasing teamwork, pride, and support for our students. A heartfelt thank you to Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation for this generous gift, which continues to bring our school community together in meaningful ways.
CLUBS AND PROGRAMS: KEY UPDATES & REMINDERS
January Parent–Teacher Conferences: Academic Support & Enrichment
Beginning in January, personal parent–teacher conferences will be available to support students across key academic spaces, including academic coaching, tutoring, study skills, organization, test preparation, and enrichment through clubs.
Dr. Clarke, Program Coordinator, will be available to meet with parents regarding tutoring programs, clubs, and enrichment opportunities. Mr. Conde, Ms. Tarver, and Ms. De Guzman, Academic Coaches, will provide support in academic coaching and targeted tutoring across core subject areas, helping students strengthen skills, set goals, and improve overall academic performance.
These conferences are designed to offer personalized guidance and ensure each student receives the academic support needed to succeed.
UMD Early Ed Apprenticeship for Rising Male Grade 11
Here’s a great chance for Rising Grade 11 Male students to earn community service hours while gaining hands-on experience working with young learners and STEM activities! The PGCPS CTE Office and UMD are offering a program for male students to earn their Child Development Associate (CDA) with a STEM focus, starting with rising 11th graders this summer.
Interested? Join the Kickoff at CMIT NHS on Saturday, January 17, 2025 at 11 AM in the cafeteria and register here: https://forms.gle/aRGrUirr6ouoD1Xu7
Don’t miss this chance to gain experience, earn hours, and make an impact!
Art Club x C.O.P.E. Partnership: Creativity for Mental Health
We are thrilled to announce a new community partnership between the CMIT North Art Club and C.O.P.E. Mind the Mental, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit).
The Art Club is leading a call for student artists to design original coloring sheets for C.O.P.E.’s upcoming "Color and Conversation" wellness event. This initiative allows our students to apply their creativity toward mental health advocacy while earning Community Service Hours.
Who: All interested student artists!
The Task: Create original black-and-white coloring pages focused on mindfulness and wellness.
The Reward: Earn volunteer hours and a chance to have your work featured on official nonprofit platforms.
How to Start: Pick up a Parent Permission& Instruction Sheet from Dr. Clarke or Mr. Munsey in Room 145. Submissions will be reviewed by a joint committee of CMIT and C.O.P.E. leadership.
🚀 Looking Ahead: Summer 2026 Externship Bootcamp
The momentum doesn't stop here! As our clubs continue to rise, we are officially preparing for our Summer 2026 Externship Bootcamp. This strategic initiative will serve as a professional launchpad, moving students beyond the classroom and into immersive, real-world industry environments. Stay tuned for more details on how this program will give our scholars a competitive edge in the 2026-2027 academic year.
GIRLS CONNECT CLUB
The Girls Connect Leadership Club, a CMIT parent inspired club coach by Dr. Funke Fasuru, invites all interested high school girls to be part of a dynamic community focused on leadership, confidence, and life skills. This first official meeting will introduce the club’s vision, leadership opportunities, and upcoming activities designed to empower young women to lead with purpose.
👉 Sign up today on this link and see Dr. Clarke for more information and registration details or email: support@harmonyinmarriage.org
Following the presentation, partner organizations will offer eligible students the opportunity to earn up to 8 hours of community service through participation in approved leadership, service, and mentorship activities facilitated by the club.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, grow, and lead—together.
🎭💃 MODELING & DANCE CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT 🍕
The Modeling and Dance Club invites students to join an exciting and energetic session on Thursday, January 15, from 3:00–4:00 PM in Room 135. Come explore movement, confidence, self-expression, and creativity in a fun and supportive environment—whether you’re experienced or just curious to try something new.
✨ Bonus: Pizza will be provided!
Bring your energy, your friends, and your passion—see you there!
CMIT North High School is proud to host the 5th Annual STEM Day with the United States Naval Academy on Saturday, February 7, 2025, from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM at CMIT North HS (14800 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20724).
Students in grades 9–12 will participate in hands-on laboratory sessions led by the USNA STEM Center for Education and Outreach, including Electrochemistry, Robotics, and Diffraction. A dedicated session will also highlight summer internships and opportunities to earn community service hours.
This high-impact experience helps students apply STEM concepts to real-world challenges and explore future pathways in science, engineering, and technology. The program is generously supported by DoD STEM, the Office of Naval Research, and the Naval Academy Foundation.
Registration is required and limited to 150 students only — first come, first served.
Agenda
8:00–8:20 AM: Breakfast
8:20–8:30 AM: Informational Session
8:30–11:50 AM: STEM Sessions (Rotations 1–6)
Electrochemistry 1 & 2
Robotics 1 & 2
Diffraction 1 & 2
11:50–12:00 PM: Certificate Confirmation & Group Photos
Why This Matters
Past STEM Day events have produced remarkable outcomes:
2022: One student accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy (now a freshman basketball guard)
2023: One student advanced to final acceptance stages; two invited to a West Point summer conference
2025: Twenty students selected for a special program with an astronaut, with two advancing toward potential paid astronomy internships
For a glimpse of last year’s experience, see STEM Day with USNA 2023.
ATHLETICS
CMIT North Weekly Athletic Schedule
Week of January 12 – January 17
Tuesday, 1/13
Boys JV & Varsity Basketball @ Surrattsville HS
JV: 5:30 PM
Varsity follows
Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Surrattsville HS (HOME)
Game time: 6:00 PM
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Student Reminder:
Students are not permitted to remain in the building after school. Failure to follow this policy may result in being banned from future athletic events.
Softball Conditioning
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Location: Meet in the Gym
Bring softball gear, running shoes, and cleats
Be prepared for both indoor and outdoor conditioning
Lacrosse Conditioning
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Be prepared for both indoor and outdoor conditioning
Wednesday, 1/14
Lacrosse Conditioning
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Be prepared for both indoor and outdoor conditioning
Thursday, 1/15
Indoor Track Meet
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: PG Sports & Learning Complex
Boys JV & Varsity Basketball @ Friendly HS
JV: 5:30 PM
Varsity follows
Tickets: https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24784 (once available)
Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Friendly HS (HOME)
Game time: 6:00 PM
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Student Reminder:
Students are not permitted to remain in the building after school. Failure to follow this policy may result in being banned from future athletic events.
Softball Conditioning
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Location: Meet in the Gym
Bring softball gear, running shoes, and cleats
Be prepared for both indoor and outdoor conditioning
Lacrosse Conditioning
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Be prepared for both indoor and outdoor conditioning
Thank you and GO TIGERS!
--
Ms. Dorian Ashmore (Lee), M.S.
Athletic Director
SCHOLARSHIPS
College Admissions & Financial Aid Update
Our Seniors are starting to see Admissions Decisions and Financial Aid packages roll in!
Here are some highlights!
Full rides have been offered to our students by MIT, Emory, and Loyola Maryland already this year!
92% of our seniors have applied to at least 1 college and 72% of our seniors have already gotten 1 or more acceptances
Our current scholarship total is $7.44 million in 4-year scholarship awards (this does NOT include any form of loans) with 51 students having already received a total of 91 scholarships, averaging $20,465 per year!
83% of our seniors have completed their FAFSA - if you are not part of this 83% and you are intending to go to any form of postsecondary institution next year (4-year college, community college, trade school), make sure to get your FAFSA done ASAP!
Keep up the great work and reporting, Seniors!
Dr. Natalie Gaudette, NCC
Professional School Counselor (Caseload: College Counseling)
Check out available scholarship opportunities
Material Handling Education Foundation Scholarship - $6,000 - 61 Awards (Deadline: Jan. 31, 2026)
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
A) Be enrolled in school for the entire academic year.
B) Plan to study: Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or an Imaging related degree.
Applications can be found by going to:
Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship - $20,000 - 60 Awards (Deadline: Feb 1, 2026)
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
A) Be a graduating high school senior, current undergraduate or graduate student who will be enrolling as a
part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate student.
B) Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applications can be found by going to:
https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/15382/society_of_manufacturing_engineers_scholarship
DEWALT Trades Scholarship - $5,000 – 40 Awards (Deadline: February 28, 2026)
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
A) Plan to enroll or are enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college or
vocational-technical school.
B) Be citizens of the United States or Canada.
Applications can be found by going to:
https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/29517/dewalt-trades-scholarship
USPAACC Scholarships - $5,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: March 2, 2026)
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
A) Be a high school senior of Asian Pacific Island heritage.
B) Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States with a 3.3 GPA or higher.
Applications can be found by going to:
https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/10177/uspaacc-scholarships
2026 Racial Justice Essay & Creative Arts Contest
Hosted by the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project in partnership with the Greenbelt
Black History & Culture Committee.
This contest provides high school students with an opportunity to express their voices, creativity, and perspectives on historical or present-day racial injustice in the United States
Who can participate:
Prince George’s County public, private, and homeschool students
Grades 9–12
Submission categories include (original work only):
Essay Writing
Creative Writing
Visual Arts (drawing, painting, photography, sculpture)
Spoken Word and other creative expressions
Awards:
Scholarships totaling $5,000+
Submission window:
December 1, 2025, through midnight February 28, 2026
Full details, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines are available at:
We encourage students who enjoy writing, art, or creative expression—and who are interested in social justice and civic engagement—to consider participating.
Attachments:
https://prs.clfportal.org/UploadedFiles/01052026_0949_2026PGCLMPRacialJusticeContestflyer.png
Looking for a New Year’s goal?
That's simple to stick with? Make applying for scholarships a routine and help your student cover college costs.
Plus, new scholarships have been added recently on Scholly® Scholarships, giving your student over 10,000 opportunities to explore.
Best wishes for the year ahead;
The Sallie Team
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Update to the CMIT Student Handbook
Smart Glasses & AI-Enabled Eyewear are strictly prohibited at CMIT.
Students may only wear:
Standard prescription glasses, or
Non-electronic novelty/personality glasses
While on campus.
Any student found wearing smart glasses or AI-enabled glasses will receive Kickboard point deductions in accordance with school expectations.
Thank you for helping us maintain a focused and safe learning environment.
If you have any questions, please email rtarver@cmitacademy.org
WIDA ACCESS Testing – January & February
Multilingual Learners will be taking the WIDA ACCESS assessment during the months of January and February in Room 324 with Mr. Paxton, at various dates and times throughout the day.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a visionary leader who dedicated his life to fighting for civil rights, equality, and justice in the United States. Through his powerful speeches, peaceful protests, and unwavering commitment to nonviolence, he became a symbol of hope and change for millions. Dr. King believed in the power of unity, compassion, and service, inspiring people to work together to create a more just and inclusive society. His legacy continues to remind us of the importance of standing up for what is right and serving our communities with kindness and courage.
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Testing
Accuplacer testing eligibility and sign-up information will be emailed out soon. Testing will take place in February for students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Please be sure to check your email so you don’t miss any important details!
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Lost & Found
The Lost & Found has started to look like a full coat closet! All Lost & Found items will be brought to the cafeteria on Monday, January 12th so students can look for their missing belongings. Any unclaimed items will be donated on Friday, January 16th.
Moving forward, students are reminded to place their coats and hoodies inside their lockers, not on top of them. If a student is unsure of their locker code, please have them ask Student Support.
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School Policy
Since returning from holiday break, we have noticed many students wearing non-CMIT shirts underneath CMIT outerwear. Please be reminded that school policy requires a CMIT shirt to be worn under all CMIT outerwear.
Additionally, we have noticed many students wearing both wireless and wired headphones in the hallways. Please be reminded that wired headphones are only permitted in classrooms (with teacher permission) and during lunch.
Students who are found wearing wired or wireless headphones outside of these approved times will be asked to turn them in to Student Support, and Kickboard deductions will be issued. As a reminder, wireless headphones are never permitted at CMIT.
If you ever have questions about the school uniform or headphones, please refer to the CMIT Student Policy Handbook for guidance.
Sincerely,
Ms. Ryan Tarver
Grade Manager
School Testing Coordinator
Compost Your Christmas Tree
The Department of the Environment is making it easy for residents to "recycle" cut Christmas trees (no artificial trees) by offering curbside pickup and a drop-off location.
Christmas tree collection will run from January 5 to January 26, 2026. Residents with County-provided yard trim collection may place their undecorated, unbagged, live Christmas trees at the curb by 6 a.m. on Mondays.
For more information, visit PGC311 or environment.mypgc.us.
Too Toxic to Trash - FREE EVENT!
As we embark on a new year in 2026, join us for a FREE E-Waste & Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event that will make a real difference for our community and our planet. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Largo Government Center (9200 Basil Court, Largo, MD, 20774) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Be part of the movement to protect our environment—let’s make a difference together! For more information, visit mypgc.us/clearthecurb.
Wondering What to Do With Your Non-Working Holiday Lights?
Mom’s Organic Market, a Maryland-based retail store focused on its purpose to protect and restore the environment, offers a free recycling program at all its locations. Here's what you need to know about the program and why you should recycle them.
They accept:
Any run-down, well-used, or non-working holiday lights.
What happens to the lights?
A Better Way Recycling collects all lights and then breaks them down through smelting or shredding to recover raw materials. These raw materials are then used to create roofing and construction materials, piping, car batteries, other electronic components, lead wheel weights, flatware, jewelry, and more.
Why recycle your broken holiday lights?
Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than at any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage!
Light strands contain metals that can be recovered for future uses.
By dismantling and providing reuse possibilities, intact natural resources are conserved, and air and water pollution caused by hazardous disposal is avoided.
Recycling reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacturing of new products!
For more information, visit www.momsorganicmarket.com/holiday-lights.
PTSO
The PTSO proudly celebrated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9th! We extend our heartfelt thanks to Officer Hodges for his dedication to our school community. His commitment to keeping our students and staff safe, along with his daily support during arrival and dismissal, does not go unnoticed. We are grateful for all that he does!
The PTSO will be celebrating the following fun days this month: National Rubber Duck Day on January 13th, National Bagel Day on January 15th (teachers and staff only), and National Hot Chocolate Day on January 30th! We love celebrating these lighthearted moments to help build a fun and positive school culture. Our students, teachers, and staff all work incredibly hard each day, and these small celebrations are a great way to bring smiles and joy to our school community.
Monetary Donations:
Zelle: CmitNorthPTSO@gmail.com
Venmo: CMITNorthHSPTSO
PayPal: CmitNorthPTSO@gmail.com
Thank you to our CMIT North Families for your generosity in sharing your time and energy with our school community. The programs and events you support would not be possible without your invaluable contributions.
Denise Rosales
PTSO President
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
E-mail: president_nhspto@cmitacademy.org
WEEKLY THOUGHT
True excellence grows where effort, integrity, and opportunity meet.
Dr. Clarke
CHESAPEAKE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION
Click HERE to view the full update.