CHS News
August 23, 2024
Project Lead the Way in Action!
Our Project Lead the Way Introduction to Engineering Design GT students successfully completed the design process to produce key chain charms for their clients. This project required students to interview a client, generate multiple concept sketches of proposed personalized charms,develop computer aided design 3D models, create technical drawings, 3D print their customized charm and present the prototype to their customer.
Students are working towards mastering the engineering process and becoming industry certified Computer Aided Design users.
Students Represent CHS at Board of Ed Meeting
On Thursday evening, our SGA Sophomore Class Representative Esha Hegde testified about our dire need of building renovations with the support of President Ava Rudy, Junior Class Representative Nandana Ratheesh and Board of Education Representative Ernest Macharia. All four students worked together to craft an articulate and powerful 3-minute speech capitalizing on the needs of our school from the student perspective.
SGA Sponsors Mrs. Shalonda Holt and Dr. Kelli McDonough-Johnson, as well as Principal Joelle Miller, were also in attendance to offer their support for these trailblazing eagles, alongside several prominent community members who all spoke on our behalf.
Spotlight on High School GT Choir
On Sunday, November 2, six students represented our CHS Choral Program at the HCPSS High School GT Choir at Glenelg High School.
Our students rehearsed many hours and prepared weeks in advance.
Congratulations!
Pictured Left to Right: Isaac Navarro, Louis Liu, Kalina Kostova, Benjamin Strong, Misha Pal, Ana Lagos Uriza
National Honor Society Welcomes New Members
The CHS Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 83 new members:
Claire Adams, Mary Arrabal, Carter Bade, Natalie Bank, Alex Barrett, Kaylee Beal, Constantina Bell, Maksim Betsis, Sylvia Campbell, Avery Chang, Prakhya Pragadaraju Chengal, Hannah Choi, Tess Cipriano, Ian Doll, Ciara Donegan, Joy Dong, Bryan Feng, Bria Franklin, Vanessa Gonzalez Garcia, Joi Lynn Guide, Elizabeth Hakobyan, Julia Herdson, Zachary Herzberger, Emily Hu, Mehdi Ibrahim, Caleb Jackson, Leela Janicki, Lauren Jensen, Divya Joon, Ananya Kallat, Arya Kamthe, Ravleen Kaur, Saroop Kaur, Simrah Khan, Nara Khurts, Christopher Kim, Liam Kunkle, Jessica Ladson, Ana Lagos, Claire Lee, Anna Lesinski, Austin Levine, Soa Li, Wendy Lin, Ryan Matthew Manuel, Elisabeth McGarvey, Veronica Merkin, Rafia Mohammed, Gianna Morabito, Ellie Namkoong, Gabriela Nguyen, Brooke Norton, Krish Patel, Kaitlin Paul, Claire Pilcher, Lily Plotnick, Justin Plunkett, Calvin Proescher, Emma Qiu, Nandana Ratheesh, Krishnatejaswi (Teju) Reddi, Jason Ren, Madeline Salter, Kavya Shah, Rayan Shah, Annabella She, Anushka Skariah, Lucy Smith, Lyra Su, Ming Sun, Shreya Sundaram, Amanda Swentek, Lexi Rose Tribble, Divya Umashankar, Hailey Wang, Sabrina Wang, Tiana Wang, Jake Weidemann, Tessa Williams, Beau Wiser, Emma Yue, Elisa Yue. Fiona Zheng
Congratulations!
Spotlight on Varsity Boys Soccer
Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Soccer team for making it to the state semifinals after winning against Chesapeake High School last Friday night!
Centennial's Skyward Theatre Fall Production: November 13-15!
Centennial's Skyward Theatre is proud to present Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. The show runs Thursday, November 13th, 14th, and 15th, at 7:00 PM and November 15th and 16th, at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available via HCPSS Booktix (https://hcpss.booktix.com/dept/chs/e/SHERWOOD) and can be bought at the door for $15.00.
Show T-Shirts can be ordered ahead of the show via HCPSS OSP (https://osp.osmsinc.com/HowardMD/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=DA041-1424). Shirts will be available in limited quantity and sizes at the show.
Synopsis of Play: Packed with thrills, romance, laughter, and immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of a hero of the people who takes on the ruthless powers that be. So, get ready to duck a quarterstaff or two – you won’t want to miss a moment of the swashbuckling fun! (From Concord Theatricals).
Dinner and a Show: November 15
Dinner & Show: Spaghetti Dinner supporting CHS Wind Ensemble - Sherwood Performance November 15th at 5:30 PM!
♫ Come share a meal with family and friends before the fantastic performance of CHS Skyward Theatre's "Sherwood"! Money raised from this event will support Centennial High School Wind Ensemble's Midwest Clinic Performance in Chicago.
All tickets to the Spaghetti Dinner include pasta with your choice of meat or red (vegetarian) sauce, salad, garlic bread, and drinks. Catering by Squisito Restaurant. Gluten-free pasta is available. Tickets are pre-sale only and will not be available at the door.
Proceeds from the Spaghetti Dinner will directly support the CHS Wind Ensemble’s upcoming trip to The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the largest international music education conference in the world. With over 17,000 attendees each year, this event represents the highest honor a high school band can receive—only five ensembles nationwide are invited annually. This December, our students will perform a 60-minute program of new and traditional music, showcasing their talent on an international stage. Funds raised will help cover essential costs such as new instruments, travel expenses for guest conductors, programs, and formal attire for our musicians.
Purchase tickets here: https://www.centennialmusic.org/tickets.html
Holiday Thrift House: December 13
Hearts In Action is thrilled to announce the return of our beloved holiday fundraiser — the CHS Holiday Thrift House — happening on December 13 from 9 AM to 12 PM! All proceeds will benefit Grassroots, a local organization dedicated to supporting individuals in crisis.
We’re currently accepting donations of new or gently used items that can be resold at low cost. Suggested donations include:
- Toys
- Arts & crafts supplies
- Board games
- Candles
- Books
- Picture frames
- Other small, giftable items
Donation drop-off: Please place items in the collection box located outside the main office.
Thank you for helping us spread holiday cheer and make a meaningful impact in our community!
Ready, Set, Go for the Holidays with Our PTSA Fundraisers!
PTSA's annual Holiday Plant Sale is back! Beautify your home in time for the holidays, and/or provide lovely gifts for friends and family.
Order in our Givebacks store (Givebacks) by November 23 and your plants will be ready for pickup the week of December 8. Make sure to leave email and/or a phone contact so we can notify you of the exact pickup date at CHS.
Sweeten your holidays with some of the finest candies available. Order your See's chocolates in the CHS PTSA Holiday Storefront (CHS PTSA 2025 Holiday Storefront | See's Candies Yum-Raising) through December 5, and they will be shipped direct to your door.
These chocolates are a delicious indulgence (WYKYK), and make amazing gifts.
Yep, Let's Do College Prep!
Attention Eagles! Please note the announcement from the PTSA concerning SAT and ACT preparatory classes. Indeed, scoring well on these important exams strengthens your applicant profile. Please note the special offers below as well since these can potentially save you money. Best wishes, and best of luck! You got this!
Schedule Your Formal Yearbook Picture
Senior Portraits are available through Legacy Studios. Photo session are available at our school on the following dates:
- December 3
Please go to www.seniors.legacystudios.com to book your appointment today (make sure you select "Centennial High School - Ellicott City" when you type in your name in the search bar).
Numerous packages are available, so please review all of your options!
Questions? Please contact Mr. VanWestervelt (VW), CHS yearbook sponsor, directly at rus_vanwestervelt@hcpss.org.
HoCo Film Festival: May 1, 2026
Do you enjoy watching films? Do you like making films? The HoCo Student Film Festival is now accepting submissions!
The deadline to submit your films is April 7th, 2026 and the film festival will be held at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library on May 1st at 7:00pm. Check out our website: https://hocofilmfest.weebly.com/ or go see your library media specialist for more information.
So grab that camera and start filming YOUR story!
Films can range from:
Genre story-based films: Students create a fictional story-based film under the genre of their choosing. (Comedy, Drama, Romance, Horror, etc.)
HC Drug Free PSA’s: Students can submit PSA’s under the HC Drug Free category, highlighting the theme: In the Know: Fake Pills, Real Danger. If you would like to reach out to your health teachers, here is a PSA lesson for possible collaboration.
A story-based or documentary style video for the HoCo 250 Commission celebrating America’s 250th year: The Howard County Student Film Festival is honored to collaborate with the Youth Engagement Committee on the HoCo 250 Commission to create a category for Howard County students honoring this anniversary. Students can create story-based or documentary-style films encompassing the theme: Redefining Patriotism.
Donate to Support the HoCo Film Festival
Please consider donating to support the HoCo Film Festival. All proceeds go directly to monetary prizes and trophies for students.
