Hammond High organized a press event to commemorate the special occasion. MADA President, Peter Kitzmiller, and MADA Chairman, Tom Walls of Plaza Ford, were hosted by Hammond High School for the event.  Also in attendance were Dr. Darla Strouse, Executive Director of the MD Teacher of the Year Program; Allan Kittleman, Howard County Executive; and Dr. Renee A. Foose, Superintendent of Howard County Public School System.   Dr. Foose had glowing remarks for Ms. Zepp and was especially grateful to MADA.  She had the following to say, "we are so thankful that Jody can get to everywhere that she needs to be as Teacher of the Year and that she'll get there in style."   Mr. Kittleman presented a Proclamation from the Howard County Government proclaiming December 11th "Jody Zepp Day." 

L to R: Tom Walls, Jody Zepp, Allan Kittleman, Peter Kitzmiller, and Dr. Darla Strouse

Tom Walls spoke on behalf of MADA; thanking Jody for her remarkable work as a teacher.  As for herself, Ms. Zepp was all abuzz when it came to her new car.  She made mention of her special MVA license tag, 'TOY 2015' and stated that it was very easy to select her new car when she visited Tom's dealership in Bel Air.  "I just walked around and saw the red car and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, that red one would look so awesome with my new tag!"  

Although the day was cold and snowy, we did manage to get a few photos in front of the school with Jody, her students, Tom Walls, and the new car.  

Together with her students, Jody Zepp accepts the keys to her new 2015 Ford Escape!

Jody Zepp, Tom Wall, and the red car that matches her TOY license tag.