[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING THE 2021 NORTHERN VIRGINIA DISTRICT PTA ANNUAL AWARD 
                               RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2021

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the 2021 
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 225 school PTAs 
representing 5 school divisions. 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:
  2021 NOVA District PTA Elementary Volunteers ofthe Year Honorees: 
Rebecca Stebbins, Camelot ES PTA; Erin Anderson, Hollin Meadows Science 
& Math Focus PTA; Jen Blackford, Little Run ES PTA.
  2021 NOVA District PTA Secondary Volunteers of the Year Honorees: 
Shirley Alexander, Kilmer MS PTA; Samantha Mulvaney, Mark Twain MS PTA; 
Sherry Nachnani, Mount Vernon High School PTSA.
  2021 NOVA District PTA Outstanding Educator and Staff Member of the 
Year Honorees: Ann Jopke, Hollin Meadows Science & Math Focus PTA, 
Educator; Charlotte Quigley, Little Run ES PTA, Educator; Marion 
Hawthorne, Arlington Science Focus School PTA, School Counselor; 
Brittany Belscher, Little Run ES PTA, School Counselor.
  2021 NOVA District PTA Excellence in Communications Award Honorees: 
Jennifer King, Laurel Ridge ES PTA; Andrea Kramer, Thoreau MS PTA; 
Monique Roberts-Rabil, Oakton HS PTSA; Kara Jenkins, Fairfax County 
Council PTA.
  2021 NOVA District PTA Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
Honorees: Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School PTA; Lyles-Crouch 
Traditional Academy PTA; Union Mill ES PTA.
  2021 NOVA District PTA STEM/STEAM PTA of the Year Award Honorees: 
Arlington Science Focus School PTA; Hollin Meadows Science & Math Focus 
PTA.
  2021 NOVA District PTA Excellence in Outstanding PTA of the Year 
Award Honorees: Camelot ES PTA; Great Falls ES PTA; Hollin Meadows 
Science & Math Focus PTA; Laurel Ridge ES PTA; Union Mill ES PTA; Mount 
Vernon High School PTSA.
  2021 New PTA Charter: Innovation ES PTA, Arlington County.
  Congratulations to NOVA District PTA Students earning 2021 National 
PTA Reflections Awards for this year's theme ``I Matter Because. . . . 
'': Claire Moon, Outstanding Interpretation, Visual Arts, Rachel Carson 
MS PTA; Julia Drolet, Award of Merit, Visual Arts, Wolftrap ES PTA; 
Manya Yellepeddy, Award of Excellence, Dance Choreography, Rachel 
Carson MS PTA; Isabelle ``Trini'' Rogando, Award of Excellence, 
Literature, Thomas Jefferson HSST PTSA; Charles Nguyen, Award of 
Excellence, Literature, Special Artist, Lake Braddock SS PTSA; Jake 
Sizemore, Award of Excellence, Music Composition, Special Artist, Lake 
Braddock SS PTSA.
  A special note of appreciation for dedicated service during 2020-2021 
is extended to Hamid Munir, NOVA District Director; Debbie Kilpatrick, 
Assistant Director; Jason Morgan, Secretary/Treasurer; Julie Shepard, 
Advocacy Chair; Mary Gauvin, Communications Chair; Mike Woltz, 
Diversity, Outreach, and Inclusion Chair; Tony Shivers, Education 
Chair; Denise Bolton, Programs Chair; Martha Coleman, Events 
Coordinator; Patricia Franck, Special Projects Chair; Kara Jenkins, 
Fairfax County Council PTA President; Emily Vincent, Arlington County 
Council PTA President; Bill Pfister, Alexandria City Council PTA 
President; Pam Croom, Virginia PTA President; and Anna King, National 
PTA 57th President.
  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. Dedicated involvement from so many 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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