This years recipient of the Riverfest Scholarship is Rogers "Buddy" Clements. A lifelong resident of Charlestown, he attended Charlestown Elementary School, and spent much of his youth fishing and crabbing on the river, as well as searching for frogs, salamanders and turtles in the creek. These childhood hobbies have influenced his decision to study environmental sciences and biology.

During his high school career Buddy was involved in track & field, cross country, chorus, band, and the fishing club. He is a martial arts instructor with a black belt in TaeKwonDo, and has volunteered over 1,000 hours working with young students at The Training Academy. He accomplished all of this while carrying a heavy course load and maintaining a high grade point average. Buddy plans to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in the fall to major in Secondary Science Education. His goal is to become a teacher and return to Cecil County to teach science and coach high school track and cross country.  

Buddy’s parents, Pat and Rogers Clements are teachers and he says that it is his admiration for them and what they do that has inspired him.  A gifted athlete, Buddy enjoys running track and can be seen logging miles around Charlestown.  He took home the trophy last year for the Riverfest 5 K run.   We congratulate Buddy on a job well done and anticipate a new generation of students inspired by their teachers.