The 13th annual Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) gala “Are You Smarter Than a BCP Student? on May 15, 2025, brought together 300+ BCP teachers, administrators, board members, supporters and Baltimore leaders to cheer on the guests of honor: six BCP students and three celebrity contestants.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Award-winning author and literary powerhouse
Dr. Darrell Gray, II
President and CEO of Wellpoint
Robert Salley
Chair of the Baltimore City Public School Board
Tom Hall
The esteemed host of Midday on WYPR
The event’s quiz-show format had BCP students in two teams matching wits with a celebrity team with math, science, history, language arts, and geography questions pulled from the BCP curriculum. Held at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the evening included members of the Hampstead Hill Academy Orchestra playing during the Cocktail hour and a warm welcome from Laura Doherty, BCP President and CEO.
For the second year in a row, Tom Hall, host of WYPR’s Midday, emceed the evening with his witty and warm banter.
The first round with 5th graders ended in a tie after the round of 12 multiple-choice questions. The tie-breaker question,“What is the largest U.S. state?”, also ended in a tie. Both teams correctly chose “Alaska” as the answer.
The 5th Grade Team
Trinity Washington
5th Grade – Frederick Elementary School
An aspiring voice actress and artist with a creative spark and a sharp mind for numbers.
Jace Foster
5th Grade – Govans Elementary School
A future coder who brings curiosity and focus to everything he does.
Cesar Marquez Argueta
5th Grade – Wolfe Street Academy
Dreams of becoming an engineer, fueled by a love for problem-solving and precision.
The 8th Grade Team
Jordynn Johnson
8th Grade – City Springs Elementary/Middle School
With aspirations to become a nurse, Jordynn brings compassion and leadership to the team.
Bria Shah
8th Grade – Hampstead Hill Academy
A future engineer whose drive and determination set her apart.
Sharon Onyenwenu Enobun
8th Grade – Pimlico Elementary/Middle School
Another future nurse in the making, Sharon is focused, thoughtful, and ready to lead.
The second round with the 8th graders also ended in a tie, but for the tie-break question — “What are the reactants of cellular respiration?” — the 8th grade team got the right answer (no multiple choice, thank you) of oxygen and glucose. The round ended with a final score of students 6, adults 5.
Thank You, Sponsors!
Numerous corporations and organizations sponsored the 13th annual event, including three-time Platinum Sponsors
See our full list of sponsors here.
Sponsorships and donations to the “Are You Smarter Than a BCP Student?” event support the BCP mission of developing, implementing, and advocating for an equitable, sustainable, and replicable education model that improves student outcomes and opportunities. Generous support raises educational standards for all youth in Baltimore City schools. BCP works in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and is Maryland’s largest operator of charter schools.
Thank you for empowering our neighborhood conversion charter schools to fuel the futures of the 3,000-plus Baltimore children and help their families thrive!
Watch our video to learn more about BCP.
Missed the gala? Make a gift to BCP today.
