Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) honored its employees who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces at the annual Veteran in Education Service Award ceremony held on Friday. Now in its tenth year, this award recognizes an FCPS employee who has honorably served in the military and continues to show exceptional dedication to both the school system and the community. The award is sponsored by Woodsboro Bank.
This year’s nominees for the Veteran in Education Service Award included Maceo Tyrone Butler, a bus driver who served in the United States Marines; Dr. Paul Lebo, FCPS Chief Operating Officer, who served in the United States Army; Zachary Shoemaker, a health and physical education teacher at Urbana High, who also served in the Marines; and Maria Amalia Vargas, Coordinator of Family Engagement and Partnerships for the International Office, who served in the United States Navy. The recipient of the 2026 award will be announced next week.
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson expressed pride in the community’s strong ties to military service, stating, “We are grateful not only for their service and sacrifices, but also for the leadership and patriotism they bring to our schools every day.” The ceremony featured performances by students from Windsor Knolls Middle School, Monocacy Middle School, Tuscarora High School, and Linganore High School, showcasing the community’s appreciation for veterans.
Col. John Fer, U.S. Air Force, Retired, served as the special guest for the event. A Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war, Fer has a notable history of service and transitioned into a teaching role after retiring from the military. Additionally, FCPS announced the launch of a new online Military Families Resource aimed at providing military-connected students and their families with essential information and support to navigate the school system.
Read the original article at FCPS