George Roberts, Our Fifth District Citizen of the Year

Source:  Patch.

In 2011, I started a new tradition by naming three individuals as Fifth District Citizens of the Year:  one from Towson, one from Parkville, and one from Perry Hall.   When I asked for nominations this year, many of the individuals who were recommended were somehow associated with what was probably the biggest event in the Fifth District this year:  the shooting at Perry Hall High School.

This year, based upon input from residents and community leaders, I am recognizing Perry Hall High School Principal George Roberts as the Fifth District Citizen of the Year. Since arriving at Perry Hall High School in 2008, Mr. Roberts has instilled a spirit of excellence, pride, and tradition at Baltimore County’s largest public school. He brought back the sense of history that had faded before his arrival. He improved the look of the school and focused on student achievement, positioning Perry Hall as one of Newsweek’s top American high schools. 

What particularly distinguished Mr. Roberts this year, however, was his calm but assertive presence during and after the August 27th shooting. During the most difficult day in the history of Perry Hall High School, he set an example of leadership that was truly exemplary.

There were many individuals who provided extraordinary assistance that day, from the heroic faculty who restrained the gunman to our public safety professionals, but Mr. Roberts set the tone of leadership that was needed on August 27th and days afterward.

Mr. Roberts and his family live in another part of the Fifth District, in Towson.  I am proud to recognize Mr. Roberts and thank the entire Perry Hall family for those who supported the school during such a difficult year.