    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
    [Extensions of Remarks]
    [Page E158]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2025 NORTHERN VIRGINIA LEADERSHIP
                                     AWARDS

                                     ______

                            HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                                  of virginia

                        in the house of representatives

                           Tuesday, February 25, 2025

      Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2025 recipients of
    the Northern Virginia Leadership Awards presented by Leadership
    Fairfax.
      Leadership Fairfax is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to
    inspire, connect, develop and engage the next generation of leaders in
    Northern Virginia so that they are prepared to serve and strengthen our
    community. Over 2,500 alumni from their programs have become part of a
    fast-growing network of civic and business leaders in the region.
      Each year, Leadership Fairfax recognizes individuals or organizations
    that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made extraordinary
    contributions to our community. It is my honor to include in the Record
    the following names of the 2025 Northern Virginia Leadership Awards
    recipients:
      The Non-Profit Organization Leadership Award will be presented to
    BetterALife, a trailblazing nonprofit committed to addressing critical
    social issues such as education, food insecurity, and access to
    essential life skills.
      The Non-Profit Individual Leadership Award will be presented to
    Michelle Sullivan, the Executive Director of All Ages Read Together
    (AART). Michelle has transformed the organization into a thriving
    program that provides early literacy support to disadvantaged children
    in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
      The Regional Leadership Award will go to Dr. Sharmaine McCoy, DNP,
    ACNP. At Inova, she has led efforts to address health disparities by
    organizing health fairs and community outreach programs.
      The Trustee Leadership Award will be presented to Ellen Dyke, the
    Chair of both the NOVA Education Foundation and SPARC (Specially
    Adapted Resource Clubs). She is an innovative leader who has pioneered
    initiatives that create better opportunities for individuals with
    disabilities.
      The Educational Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Herman
    Mizell, Principal of Langston Hughes Middle School. In just one year of
    being at LHMS, Dr. Mizell has revitalized staff morale, improved
    student engagement, and addressed safety concerns that existed at the
    school.
      The Youth Leadership Award will be presented to Avery McCusker and
    LucyLynn Tombul. At Just 14 and 15 years old, Avery and LucyLynn
    dedicated over 140 hours of service to the Fairfax County community
    while completing their Girl Scout Silver Award project.
      Mr. Speaker, the contributions of these individuals and organizations
    are one of the reasons why Fairfax is such a sought-after community in
    which to live and work, and this year's honorees highlight the legacy
    of Leadership Fairfax in preparing our community's future leaders to
    address the challenges we face. I ask my colleagues to join me in
    congratulating these honorees and thanking them for their service to
    Northern Virginia.

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