“Courage Beyond Words”: Beau Cameron recognized at 29th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Beau Cameron receives the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Linganore High School.
January 12, 2019
The 29th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, on January 10 at Thomas Johnson High School, honored FCPS students from 37 elementary schools, 16 middle, and 12 high schools who display exemplary courage and character in their school and larger community. Linganore’s representative was Class of 2019 member Beau Cameron.
The program began with Dr. Keith Harris, executive director for FCPS’s program Accelerating Achievement and Equity, introducing the Board of Education members who were present and the superintendent, Dr. Theresa Alban. Following introductions was the Academy for Fine Arts Vocal Ensemble’s rendition of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and an address given by Alban. The Monocacy Elementary School Chorus sang “Lights of Freedom” which included soloists taking turns to list a portion of the 50 states in alphabetical order.
Student emcees James Bongard, Darby Dravvorn, and Ashleigh Sullivan from Middletown High School took over and began the presentation of awards, starting with elementary schools. A notable winner from New Market Elementary was Carly Moyer, the sister of Linganore Class of 2018 alumni Tommy Moyer and current sophomore Matthew Moyer.
After the first half of elementary awards were announced, the Whittier Elementary School Chorus sang “In This World Together” and then ushered in the second half of elementary awards. Before the middle school awards, Linganore’s African ensemble (made up of assorted members from the percussion ensemble and marching band) took the stage to perform “BooBooBoo,” a traditional song from Ghana.
Linganore’s performance was the last of the musical interludes in the program. Following the African ensemble, the event continued with the middle and high school award winners, featuring Linganore’s Beau Cameron.
Cameron said, “I was called down to the principal’s office one day, and the last thing I expected was to win this award. Winning this award doesn’t feel like a win for me but a win for the larger LGBTQ+ community. While Linganore does have the largest GSA [Gender Sexuality Alliance] in Frederick County, we still make up a minority in the community, and the Safe Haven program I created helps protect the members we have.”
Congratulations to all 65 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. award recipients on your achievement!
