[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 3, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     RECOGNIZING THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA DISTRICT PTA AWARD FINALISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 3, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 2018 Northern 
Virginia District PTA Annual Award recipients. Parent Teacher 
Associations (PTAs) and Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSAs) in 
Northern Virginia serve a critical role in helping to provide the best 
possible educational environment for our students.
  The Northern Virginia District PTA represents a region with more than 
220 schools. Maintaining a healthy and strong organization is an 
important part of allowing these groups to have the greatest possible 
impact on the students they serve. To encourage such strength, it is 
important to note the individual PTAs that excel in this mission, as 
well as the individual Volunteers of the Year.
  I am pleased to congratulate the following PTAs and individuals on 
being recognized by the Northern Virginia District PTA for their 
immeasurable contributions to the education of our children:
  NOVA District PTA Elementary School Volunteer of Year Finalists: Kate 
Brown, Buzz Aldrin ES PTA; Chad Artz, Hollin Meadows ES PTA; Maria 
Nguyen, North Springfield ES PTA.
  NOVA District PTA Secondary School Volunteer of the Year Finalists: 
Mary Knowles, Lake Braddock SS PTSA; Julie Strandlie, Oliver Wendell 
Holmes MS PTA; Sherry Nachnani, Walt Whitman MS PTSA; Cathy Jacquette, 
Oakton HS PTSA.
  NOVA District PTA Special Education PTA Volunteer of the Year Award: 
JoAnne Walton, Fairfax County SEPTA.
  NOVA District PTA Outstanding Local Units of the Year: Herndon ES 
PTA; Laurel Ridge ES PTA; Mount Vernon Community School PTA; Oakton HS 
PTSA.
  NOVA District PTA Power Partner Principal Finalists: Principal Jasibi 
Crews-West, Cora Kelly ES PTA; Principal Dustin Wright, Olde Creek ES 
PTA; Principal Andrea ``Annie'' Turner, Patrick Henry ES PTA; Principal 
Chad McRae, North Springfield ES PTA; Principal Mary Randolph, 
Springfield Estates ES PTA; and Principal Laura Waterman, Lake Braddock 
SS PTSA.
  Outstanding Educators of the Year: Heather Hale, Weyanoke ES PTA; 
Samantha Miller, Lake Braddock SS PTSA.
  Male Engagement of the Year Finalists: Hollin Meadows ES PTA.
  Family Engagement of the Year Finalists: Lake Braddock SS PTSA; 
Laurel Ridge ES PTA.
  Diversity & Inclusion of the Year Finalists: Laurel Ridge ES PTA; 
Walt Whitman MS PTSA; Fairfax County Special Education PTA.
  Outstanding PTA STEM Grant recipients: Francis C. Hammond MS PTA; 
Hollin Meadows ES PTA; Walt Whitman MS PTA, Mt. Vernon HS PTSA, and 
NOVA District PTA.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in recognizing the 
outstanding achievements of the individuals, PTAs and PTSAs that are 
being honored tonight. Dedicated involvement from so many parents 
reflects a strong commitment to public education and community service 
that students in our schools are fortunate to experience. I offer my 
strong support for these organizations and their dedicated members and 
volunteers.

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