Cheverly, MD - Oct. 17, 2017 - Maryland CAPE (Maryland’s state chapter of the Council for American Private Education), the coalition which represents Maryland's nearly 1,400 nonpublic schools, presented Governor Larry Hogan with its 2017 Champion of Education Award on Tuesday. The event marked the fourth time the award has been given. The award, whose recipients represent a bipartisan group of Maryland elected officials committed to providing the best educational options for all of Maryland's school children, was given prior to the Governor's visit to his childhood elementary school, the Saint Ambrose Catholic School in Prince George’s County. The event also featured the presentation of the 2017 Civic Achievement Awards to Ms. Barbara Bice and Mr. Jim Clark, two recently-retired employees of the Maryland State Department of Education who worked for many years on programs that were beneficial to Maryland’s nonpublic schools.

“Education is – and will continue to be – the number one priority of our administration,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We remain committed to encouraging and supporting innovative ideas that give parents expanded options to prepare children for higher education and for the jobs of the future. I am grateful to receive this incredible honor.”

Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, President of Maryland CAPE and Director of Agudath Israel of Maryland commented, "it was a true honor to present this award in recognition of Governor Hogan's dedication to the educational success of all of Maryland's children".