WPS WORX Speaker Series: Honorable Judge Peggy Kent

4/8/2026

Berlin, MD - On Tuesday, March 31, a group of Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) students participated in a WORX (Work, Observe, Research, Experience) seminar featuring the Honorable Judge Peggy Kent, Worcester County’s first woman to serve as a circuit court judge.

Judge Kent, who made history with her appointment to the Worcester County Circuit Court in 2018, shared insights from a distinguished career. Before her appointment, she served for 22 years as a family court magistrate, earning widespread respect for her ability to manage complex and often emotional cases with both authority and compassion.

Throughout her career, Kent played a pivotal role in shaping the local judicial system. She was among the first magistrates in Maryland’s First Circuit and helped establish the Family Law Division in Worcester County. This division addresses critical and sensitive matters, including child custody, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse screenings, child support, and alternative dispute resolution.

In addition, Kent was instrumental in launching several impactful programs on the Lower Shore, including the Lower Shore Family Center through Life Crisis, which provides supervised visitation services for families in crisis. She also helped create the region’s first Juvenile Drug Treatment Court and the only Family Recovery Court on the Lower Shore. In 2004, she introduced Worcester County’s Truancy Court, the first of its kind in Maryland, and later co-developed a Wellness Court, also among the first in the state.

Judge Kent officially retired in March 2025 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The WORX program at WPS aims to introduce students to the vast opportunities available within the community and beyond. Worcester Prep’s mission of providing a college preparatory education alongside real-world observation will enhance students’ learning and create opportunities for career exposure. These experiential learning opportunities will help students apply their classroom knowledge and encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, confidence, teamwork, and communication.

Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent school offering Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia attend.

For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

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Pictured is a group of Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) students participating in a WORX (Work, Observe, Research, Experience) seminar featuring the Honorable Judge Peggy Kent, Worcester County’s first woman to serve as a circuit court judge. In the front row from the left are WPS Director of Student Life Mrs. Megan Wallace, students Emerson Bofinger (Ocean View, DE), Jack Wells (Seaford, DE), Sydney Parker (Snow Hill MD), Elena Gjoni (Berlin, MD), Isha Garg (Berlin, MD), Honorable Judge Peggy Kent, Jake Campbell (Berlin, MD), Lena Parker (Berlin, MD), Marina Farlow (Berlin, MD), Anisha Batra (Rehoboth Beach, DE), Kobe Bouzaglo (Berlin, MD), Livi Owens (Pittsville, MD), and Sydney Todorov (Berlin, MD). In the back row from the left are Nate Freidman (Ocean City, MD), Upper School teacher Mr. Paul Cyryca, Preston Adkins (Selbyville, DE), Josh Greulich (Frankford, DE), Jake Timmons (Dagsboro, DE), Ansh Batra (behind Jake/Rehoboth Beach, DE), Beckett Green (Berlin, MD), and Stephen Carullo (Ocean City, MD).

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Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.