In compliance with a national mandate that establishes federal funding for public schools, Wilde Lake administration and ceremony coordinators have canceled the annual Community Awards Ceremony this year.
Principal Mr. Michael Brown announced the cancellation in an email to the community. “After careful reflection and thoughtful discussion, we have decided not to hold our evening Senior Community Awards Ceremony this year, which included the Senior Cording Ceremony,” he said.
Since 2021, this ceremony has recognized seniors with community awards and scholarships. However, this year, Howard County Chief Equity and Innovation Officer Caroline Walker says schools were requested not to include the presentation of race-restricted awards and scholarships. This is because of the Department of Education’s statement that “schools may not administer scholarships, prizes, or other opportunities offered by third parties based on race.” Wilde Lake would have to uninvite groups presenting awards with a racial or ethnic component to hold the ceremony.
Social Studies teacher and coordinator of the awards ceremony Ms. Katherine Volpe is concerned about the county’s decision to follow the federal mandate. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which once protected diverse groups, is now being used to exclude the celebration of them in education, she says.
“This interpretation goes against the spirit of the Civil Rights Act and erases the progress that has been made in the past 70 years,” said Ms. Volpe.
The awards and scholarships under question were those being presented by diverse groups in the county such as the Council of Elders, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Jack and Jill. Instead of uninviting groups, Wilde Lake decided to cancel the Community Awards Ceremony altogether. Other schools in Howard County are doing the same.
Members of the community are disappointed by the cancellation of the awards ceremony as a result of the federal mandate. Jack and Jill’s Columbia, MD chapter president Ms. Valerie Brown says these awards have never been about exclusion as the federal interpretation of the Civil Rights Act says.
“I am deeply disappointed by the cancellation of Wilde Lake’s Community Awards Ceremony. Organizations like Jack
and Jill have a proud tradition of affirming excellence, especially among students who have often overcome significant barriers to succeed,” she said. “These awards are not about exclusion—they are about affirmation, equity, and visibility. To lose this opportunity to celebrate our students is both disheartening and concerning.”
According to Ms. Volpe, the Senior Cording Ceremony is now being held on May 16th during the school day, but family members are not invited. Only cords from clubs and honors societies will be presented to students, not community awards. Senior Lauren Sykes was awarded the Council of Elders Sankofa award, which is given to Black students who exemplify high academic performance, leadership, service, and citizenship within the community. Lauren would have been presented this award during the awards ceremony.
“I believe students should be recognized for their merit and accomplishments, whether the awards are based on race or not,” Lauren said. “But I am happy that seniors can still be celebrated in other ways with our Cording Ceremony.”
Alpha Achievers sponsor Mr. James Beale says because Wilde Lake is so diverse, giving race-based awards makes sure Wilde Lake “includes everybody.”
“Awards are an opportunity to express admiration for a lot of our students, and to take that away is actually doing a disservice because we have a lot of talent and diversity here at Wilde Lake,” he said. “It’s a shame and a tragedy.”
The Leadership Scholars Program comes from the historically African American Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Wilde Lake’s sponsor of the Leadership Scholars Program Ms. Karen Covington says it feels like the county is moving backwards.
“It’s sad because it feels like we are not making the progress that we should be making. I hope that things change,” Ms.
Covington said.
Ms. Volpe says it is still unclear what the awards ceremony will look like next year, but she is hopeful that “Wilde lake will be able to bring together a ceremony that recognizes students’ achievements and celebrates the generosity of the community.
