County Students To Be Honored In Gaithersburg Thursday

Note: This story was updated at 1:40 p.m. Thursday, May 10 to include the name of a Gaithersburg High School student who is being honored for earning a 4.0 grade point average.

The Upper County Recreation Center in Gaithersburg will host and honor 90 students from low-income families Thursday night for their academic achievements.

For the 15th consecutive year, Montgomery County's Housing Opportunities Commission teams with Chicken Out Rotisserie to form the "Food for Thought" program.

Students from low-income families or living in housing subsidized by the HOC who earn at least a 3.0 grade point average or show significant improvement in their grades with a counselor recommendation are eligible for the academic achievement award, the HOC's Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Semones told Patch.

Award winners receive a $5 gift card to Chicken Out and a certificate acknowledging their achievements.

More than 110 students applied for the award, Semones said. Of the 90 award recipients, four students earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. Another two earned a 3.9.

"For [these students] to be getting a 4.0 is incredible, especially given the obstacles they have to overcome," Semones said.

student Thomas Arshayla is among the group of 4.0 students.

A reception for award winners and their families begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and is immediately followed by a series of four guest speakers emphasizing the importance of hard work and education.

In year's past, up to 125 students have been recognized with this award.

The "Food for Thought" program is sponsored by Chicken Out Rotisserie’s “Do Good” Foundation.