Candace C.W. Antwine Military Service Award
What is the Candace C.W. Military Service Award?
The Candace C.W. Military Service Award was established in 2021 to honor the military and civic service of Ms. Antwine, a Navy veteran and former member of the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County who was a committed and passionate voice for military families and children in need throughout Anne Arundel County. Ms. Antwine served the nation in active duty, reserve, and civil servant capacities. She was a member of the Board of Education from 2018 until her death in 2021.
The award is given each May to AACPS students who have made a similar commitment by enlisting to serve in the United States military upon graduation. It assists awardees with initial expenses related to enlisting, including basic training supplies, and aims to remove financial barriers to military service. It’s a common misconception that the military pays for all basic training supplies. This is the first award of its type in the region.
Who was Candace C.W. Antwine?
A U.S. Navy veteran, Ms. Antwine was elected in November 2018 to a six-year term representing District 1 on the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County. She took her oath of office on December 3, 2018. Ms. Antwine was a committed voice for children in need and for military families throughout Anne Arundel County. She also concentrated her efforts on eradicating bullying and racial tension in schools and expanding specialized accommodations to assist students with disabilities. Ms. Antwine tirelessly advocated for students, veterans, and animals through various nonprofits such as the Meade High School PTSA and the Maryland State Boys Choir, as well as faith-based organizations.
Ms. Antwine served our country in active duty, reserve, and civil servant capacities, including positions with the National Security Agency via the Naval Security Group, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. She held a bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting from the Mississippi University for Women and a master’s degree in Acquisition and Procurement from Webster University. She also completed graduate work in Communication, Leadership and Organizational Change at Hawaii Pacific University.