Artist And Special Needs Student Named 2014 Cardin Scholarship Winner
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The school year is almost over. It's a time to look back at what students have achieved, including a 19-year-old special needs student.
Mary Bubala reports he's landed a scholarship and a vision for his future.
Looking at his artwork, most would assume it's professional, drawn by a trained artist.
"My creativity in art came when I first came here," said 19-year-old Kahlid Harvell.
Harvell is a student at St. Elizabeth School in Baltimore City. It's one of 93 non-public special education facilities in Maryland.
"Schools like St. Elizabeth are unique because they provide a very structured and therapeutic environment. They are able to be very flexible and creative," said Dorie Flynn, Exec. Dir., MANSEF.
It's this nurturing environment that opened up a whole new world for Harvell.
"It just makes me feel like my creative side is coming out," he said.
He has made so much progress, he was just named a 2014 Cardin Scholarship winner. He will use the award money to attend an art school this summer.
"I've known Kahlid since he got here, and I think he was about 11 when he first started. And I've known him since day one and I've seen his artwork flourish and grow," said Latia Canty, St. Elizabeth teacher.
And through his artwork, Harvell is flourishing academically.
"As an antagonist, like a bad guy, his actions speak much louder than his words," Harvell said while describing his artwork.
Harvell will receive his scholarship award during a special ceremony next Monday, June 9. The Cardin Scholarship is named in memory of Michael Cardin, the son of U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and his wife, Myrna.
Non-public schools serve 3,500 special needs students in our state every year.
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