Member Updates
After being the first student to serve two years on the Kent County Board of Education, Alden Swanson officially passed the torch to incoming member Eamon Lindsay last month. Swanson was named the student member of the board, or SMOB, during her junior year at Kent County High School and was re-elected by her peers for her senior year.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month is recognized each June to help bring awareness to PTSD and the treatments available to help with the disorder. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), PTSD is slightly more common among veterans than civilians. The agency reports that 7% of veterans will have PTSD versus 6% of civilians in their lifetime. PTSD is also more common among female veterans, with 13% of female veterans versus 6% of male veterans experiencing PTSD in their lifetime. SAMHSA reports that 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions, including, but not limited to, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Cancer Center at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) recently welcomed Catalina Billings as coordinator of community outreach, a new position designed to provide up-to-date cancer information and resources by partnering with local organizations within the five-county region served by UM SRH. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).
The monthly meeting of the Kent County Board of Education Monday, June 8 had a celebratory air, with awards and recognitions handed out. Community members who provided outstanding support for Kent County Public Schools and staff members who are departing after decades of service were honored by the board. The celebrations began with Standing Ovations Awards bestowed on John Schratwieser and Bob Ortiz.
Kent County is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Katie E. LeMaire as the new Director of the Kent Family Center, effective June 3, 2026. LeMaire a decade of experience within the Center, where she has served as a Child Development Specialist since 2015, supervising child development staff, managing programming for children ages 0–5, and leading parent education and support initiatives.
The Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) Women’s Business Center (WBC) invites entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and aspiring business owners to participate in its July 2026 lineup of free educational programs designed to help individuals launch, grow, and strengthen their organizations. The series includes both online webinars and an in-person networking and professional development event.
As Pride Month is wrapping up this month, For All Seasons has created a free, one-hour mini-course to help participants better understand LGBTQIA+ mental health, recognize barriers to support, and respond with practical care in everyday moments. This year's theme for Pride Month is “For All of Us.” LGBTQIA+ individuals are part of every community, family, workplace, school, and faith setting.
Kent County eighth-graders marked a major milestone Thursday, June 11 with the middle school's annual promotion ceremony. The morning celebration marks the end of the students' middle school career as they officially become rising freshmen at Kent County High School. Kent County Middle School Principal Mark Buckel and Assistant Principal Kelley Melvin led the promotion ceremony.
The Kent County Commissioners proudly announce the appointment of Lacey M. Townsend as the new Kent County Clerk, effective May 2, 2026. Townsend brings nearly a decade of service within Kent County Government and over 15 years of administrative and financial experience in public service. After joining Kent County Government in 2017, she first served in the Kent County Parks and Recreation Department as Office Manager, supporting financial operations, customer service, meeting preparation, and website content management.
