Lyndy Mothershead, 19, of Easton received the 2016 John T. Harrison Award, Chesapeake’s top honor for scholarship, leadership and community service.

A member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Mothershead earned a 3.79 grade-point average. In April 2016, she represented Chesapeake at the national Phi Theta Kappa convention “Nerd Nation” at National Harbor.

She was accepted for the fall into the Honors College at University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she plans to major in Cyber Security with a minor in East Asian Studies.

In her speech to her fellow graduates, Mothershead credited her mother Kathy Mothershead for much of her success.

“My mom adopted me from China when I was 14 months old, and she raised me on her own. I know that she is proud of me, and I hope that I continue to make her proud,” Mothershead said.

Mothershead said that she had reservations about attending Chesapeake as she watched her friends from Easton High School set out for four-year colleges. She soon changed her mind and said she is proud to call herself a Chesapeake College graduate.

“I hope that the summary of my rewarding experience here has encouraged siblings, friends, and other family members in the audience to look at Chesapeake in a different light. If you make the most out of your experience, I promise you that it will be nothing short of amazing,” Mothershead said.

Mothershead has worked in a fast food establishment since she was 15, and has worked her way up to assistant manager there. The money she earned there will be put toward her educational expenses at UMBC.

Mothershead’s hard work, commitment to Chesapeake and service to her fellow students were cited by both staff and faculty

“Lyndy is an extraordinary student and community leader who leaves a legacy of campus service and academic excellence,” said Chesapeake President Dr. Barbara Viniar.