It started in 2011 as a casual conversation about how to get students at Liberty Elementary School excited about science, technology, engineering and math.
Now, the school has a close partnership with BAE Systems that has helped develop teacher workshops, fund two STEM labs at the school and, in two weeks, will help put on its fourth annual STEMmerday, where the company’s scientists and engineers will once again be on hand to work with and inspire students.
“When we see the student’s enthusiasm and see them working as a team, that’s when you really see this partnership at work,” Liberty Principal Paul Pack said.
It’s relationships like this that were celebrated at the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Recognition Breakfast Friday. Six hundred educators and business leaders gathered in the National Conference Center in Lansdowne to honor the collaboration between hundreds of area businesses and the county’s public schools, some that go back two decades and others that are just getting off the ground.
The huge community-wide effort to support the county’s education system was made clear even in the number of nominations for businesses to receive the Partner of the Year awards. This year, a committee selected five business Partners of the Year from among 106 nominations, according to Michael Lo Presti, chairman of the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council.
“These businesses are not seeking recognition,” Lo Presti said. “They do this because they care about making a difference in our schools. Whether it’s through financial support, catering events, improving our schools’ surroundings, tutoring or mentoring students, the support is quite impressive.”
St. James Episcopal Church’s work to provide meals over the weekends for low-income students at Evergreen Mill Elementary and Frances Hazel Reid Elementary was applauded. Evergreen Mill Principal Michael Pellegrino offered a big thanks to the church and its volunteers. “I wish this partnership didn’t have to exist,” he said. “Nobody thinks about hunger when they think of Loudoun County, but it exists.”
Haute Dogs & Fries was recognized for its continuous support of Blue Ridge Middle School. The Purcellville restaurant is quick to donate meals to the middle school’s students through a program called Cornerstones that recognizes students for their citizenship, leadership and efforts in math, reading and writing.
“I wish you could see the smile on the kids’ faces when they hear they get a hot dog and fries,” Blue Ridge Dean Brian Hanselman said.
Eggspectation’s partnership with Harper Park Middle School was praised. The restaurant provides incentives for students and school staff, and Manager Rafael Castro has worked to get more families involved with the school through the Parent as Education Partners program.
Nova Medical Group/Nova Urgent Care was recognized for its partnership with C.S. Monroe Technology Center. Since 2008, the group has given second-year students in the school’s Practical Nursing program an opportunity to experience and learn about nursing first hand.
BAE Systems’ work at Liberty Elementary School also was recognized. Liberty Elementary Assistant Principal Diane Insari said the school would not have been able to inspire students as they have without BAE Systems, and she urged other business leaders in the audience to continue their commitment to the schools.
“On the school side, we’ve got some of the knowledge and the excitement, but, businesses, we need you to jump in and help out with your resources,” she said.
Among those recognized at the breakfast was Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Sharon D. Ackerman, who received the 2014 Make A Difference Award. “I feel guilty because no one person makes a difference alone,” said Ackerman, who will retire in June after 42 years in education. “I’m surrounded by so many talented people. I share this with everybody’s efforts.”
The winner of this year’s J. Hamilton Lambert Exemplary Leadership in Education and Community Service Award went to Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick, for his 47 years of service to Loudoun County Public Schools. He will retire in June after 23 as the county’s superintendent of schools.
J. Hamilton Lambert, executive director of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, jokingly reminded Hatrick that the event was his “last breakfast,” but said his contributions will not be forgotten. He gave the superintendent a spirited send-off when he asked the huge audience gathered in the NCC ballroom to raise their hand in the fashion of the well-known Star Trek Vulcan salute, and referred to the words of Mr. Spock, “live long and prosper.”
Hatrick noted that receiving the award was significant because Hamilton, a retired county executive for Fairfax County and longtime business and civil leader, had been a mentor to him over the years.
Business leaders and educators shared some of the event’s praise with 15 of the county’s most outstanding high school seniors. Loudoun Times-Mirror Publisher Peter Arundel announced the students who were selected by the paper’s community panel as Future Leaders. The top winner, Heritage High School student Ryan Miller, received a $3,000 scholarship, and each of the other 14 winners received $1,500 scholarships.
The other winners are Marisa Ahmed (Broad Run), Mena Ayazi (Potomac Falls), Aaron Barclay (Loudoun County), Lilly Bonnie (Foxcroft School), Lori Bowler (Stone Bridge), Ryan Coughlin (Loudoun County), Taylor Glover (Broad Run), Jake Hitchcock (Loudoun Valley), Hiba Malik (John Champe), Monica Ricci (Loudoun Valley), Amanda Ryerse (Stone Bridge), Alexandra Sarkis (Dominion), Perri Solhjou (Stone Bridge) and Benjamin Zook (Loudoun Valley).
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