[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 152 (Tuesday, September 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 2020 NORTHERN VIRGINIA PTA AND PTSA AWARDS RECIPIENTS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 1, 2020

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the 2020 
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 225 
schools which includes 5 regions. 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 volunteers and educators who support them. 
It is my honor to include in the Record their names.
  2020 NOVA District PTA Elementary Volunteers of the Year Honorees: 
Kim Grant, Little Run ES PTA; Kia Haynes, Arlington Montessori ES PTA; 
and Molly Hunter, Olde Creek ES PTA.
  2020 NOVA District PTA Secondary Volunteers of the Year Honorees: 
Andrea Hellier and Julie Shedd, LBSS PTSA.
  2020 NOVA District PTA Outstanding PTA Award: Laurel Ridge ES PTA.
  2020 NOVA District PTA Outstanding Educator of the Year Award: 
Stephanie Lin, Arlington Science Focus School PTA.
  2020 NOVA District PTA Outstanding PTA iSTEAM Award: Arlington County 
Special Education PTA; and Fairfax County Special Education PTA.
  I congratulate the following NOVA District PTA students who have 
earned the 2020 National PTA Reflections ``Look Within'' Awards:
  Charles Nguyen, Photography, Award of Merit, Lake Braddock SS PTSA; 
Riley Zwiselsberger, Photography, Award of Merit, Charles Barrett ES 
PTA; and Theo Whiteman, Film Production, Award of Merit, McKinley ES 
PTA.
  I also congratulate the following VA PTA Scholarship Award 
Recipients: Brynna Boyd, Thomas A. Edison HS PTSA; Areeba Hamid, Mount 
Vernon HS PTSA; Ashley Pearson, Hayfield Secondary School PTSA.
  A special note of appreciation for dedicated service is extended to 
Debbie Kilpatrick, NOVA District Director, Tony Shivers, District 
Assistant Director, Denise Bolton, District Secretary/Treasurer, Julie 
Shepard, Advocacy Chair, Mike Woltz, Diversity & Outreach Chair, Toby 
Latham, Policy Chair, Cathy Petrini, Reflections Chair, Martha Coleman, 
Events Coordinator, Patricia Franck, Special Projects Chair, Jane 
Miscavage, Fairfax County Council PTA President, Maura McMahon, 
Arlington County Council PTA President, Katy Matthews, Alexandria City 
Council PTA President, Dr. Scott Brabrand, FCPS Superintendent, Donna 
Colombo, Virginia PTA President, and Speaker of the House Eileen 
Filler-Corn, Virginia Delegate, 41st District.
  Madam 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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