Student Highlights
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." –Albert Einstein
Welcome to Student Highlights – a place where we celebrate the creativity, growth, and accomplishments of our students. Here you’ll find award-winning artwork, student-led projects, performances, academic milestones, service efforts, and everyday wins that reflect who our learners are becoming.
Our students learn by doing, asking questions, building skills, collaborating with others, and sharing their work with the community. This page is a growing collection of proud moments that honors their effort, imagination, and leadership – and the supportive mentors and families who help make it possible.
TMS Students Shine at Bowie’s “Empower the Dream” Contest
Carry on the Dream, Emma Mummert, 2025, Acrylic, Pastel, Colored Pencil, and Watercolor Pencil on Cardboard, 9 in x 14 in.
We’re celebrating two of our middle school students for outstanding achievements in the City of Bowie’s Empower the Dream art contest on January 17, 2026!
Emma Mummert placed 1st in the sixth-to-eighth-grade category with her artwork – congratulations, Emma!
Ella Abadoo was selected as a finalist for a beautiful dance routine she choreographed herself – an incredible accomplishment and creative leadership. Congratulations, Ella!
Both Emma and Ella were selected out of 100 submissions – we are so proud of their creativity, courage, and dedication.
Sponsored by the City of Bowie Diversity Committee, the annual contest honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encourages students to reflect on social justice and positive change. The 2026 theme – “Empower the Dream: Creating Positive Change Together” – asked students to consider how they can help create a kinder, fairer, more united world.
Congratulations again, Emma and Ella!
From left: Antoinette Murray, Ella Abadoo, Joseph Murray, Jr., Emma Mummert, and Valencia Wood
Young Entrepreneur Turns a School Project Into a Business
Adee is the young entrepreneur behind Beauty A by Adee, a business she proudly launched as part of a school entrepreneurship project at The Mandala School.
Through the school’s annual Entrepreneur Fair, students are encouraged to design, create, and sell their own products. Over the years, Adee explored several creative ideas, including holiday cards and sun catchers. During her most recent project, she decided to create something she could continue developing beyond the classroom.
Because she loves makeup, Adee chose to develop lip gloss and lip balm products. While researching options, she learned how difficult it was to find clean, safe, and age-appropriate ingredients, which led her to create her own products with her family's support.
What began as a school project has since grown into a real business. Adee now sells her products through her website and Instagram page and participates in local community vending events. She continues to expand her product line, improve her formulas, and build her confidence as a young entrepreneur.
The creativity, encouragement, and entrepreneurial foundation provided at The Mandala School played a key role in helping Adee turn her classroom idea into a thriving small business.
We are so proud of Adee. Keep up the great work!