Meet the 2026 Are You Smarter Than a BCP Student? Contestants
March 25, 2026
This year’s Are You Smarter Than a BCP Student? Gala celebrates 30 years of impact by the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) and the people and communities that have helped shape our schools along the way.
On April 30, 2026, at the Maryland Science Center, BCP students and community leaders come together for a fun, fast-paced competition that highlights the curiosity, talent, and promise of BCP scholars across Baltimore.
To underscore BCP’s impact over three decades, each Celebrity Contestant shares a meaningful connection to BCP:
Darren Meriedith
Darren Meredith is a proud alum of City Springs Elementary/Middle School, Class of 2015. A graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Darren earned his electrical engineering degree from Morgan State University. Today, Darren works as an electrical engineer at Northrop Grumman, giving back to the city and inspiring Baltimore students to pursue STEM careers.
Mark Parker
Mark Parker has lived and served in Highlandtown, a vibrant Baltimore neighborhood where many families from Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA) reside. Before joining the Baltimore City Council, Mark worked closely with Latino and immigrant families, helping them access resources, navigate systems, and feel connected to the community. Now representing District 1, he continues this work, advocating for the HHA community and beyond.
Jessy DeSantis
Jessy DeSantis is a Baltimore-based artist and parent of two students at Wolfe Street Academy. Raised in a Nicaraguan household, they draw on their cultural heritage to create art that celebrates identity, heritage, and belonging. Jessy designed Memoria y Esperanza (Memory and Hope), a vibrant mural at Wolfe Street that involved students, families, and community members in its creation and honors the school’s cultural diversity. Their work has also been recognized citywide, with the painting Cintli, Corn, Maíz acquired by the Walters Art Museum for its permanent collection.
Watch a video of Jessy with the Wolfe Street mural.
BCP Student Contestants are the stars of the evening, and this year’s student contestants are ready to shine.
5th Grade Team
Evynesence (Evy) Zeno
Frederick Elementary School
Favorite Subject: Math
When I grow up, I want to be: A teacher!
Evy’s excitement about becoming a teacher shows leadership and a desire to help others succeed, qualities that reflect the supportive learning community at Frederick Elementary School
Henry Wilson
Govans Elementary School
Favorite Subject: Math
When I grow up, I want to be: An astrophysicist
Henry’s curiosity about math and space shows a big imagination and a passion for discovery, representing the spirit of exploration we see in Govans students every day.
Kevin Aguilar
Wolfe Street Academy
Favorite Subject: Math
When I grow up, I want to be: A police officer or a lawyer
Kevin’s strong desire to help others, either by protecting them or speaking up for them in court, reflects the leadership and strong sense of ethics that make Wolfe Street students shine.
8th Grade Team
Kortni Wragg
City Springs Elementary/Middle School
Favorite Subject: History
When I grow up, I want to be: A professional volleyball player
Kortni’s enthusiasm for history and dedication to athletics highlight both academic curiosity and determination, qualities that make City Springs students shine in and out of the classroom.
Grace Gorham
Hampstead Hill Academy
Favorite Subject: Science
When I grow up, I want to be: A cosmetologist
Grace brings curiosity and creativity to the competition and proudly represents the Hampstead Hill Academy community.
Charles Puckett
Pimlico Elementary/Middle School
Favorite Subject: History and Math
When I grow up, I want to be: A teacher
Charles’s interest in both history and math, along with his goal of becoming a teacher, shows a thoughtful learner who values knowledge and looks forward to sharing it with others in the future.
Returning Emcee
Returning for his third year as emcee, Tom Hall is one of Baltimore’s most recognizable local voices. For over two decades, Tom has been a trusted broadcaster with WYPR and host of the award-winning Midday program for the past ten years. His warmth, humor, and deep connection to Baltimore schools make him the perfect guide for an evening celebrating the talent, knowledge, and dedication of BCP students and the community that supports them.
We can’t wait to see these contestants take the stage together for a night of learning, laughter, and celebration.