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Submitted News
The rain was brief and musical and all heads turned slightly to the window to identify the source. Long drops patterned the windows of the Center for the Arts Candy Factory’s upstairs ballroom and then, satisfied, the 170 guests looked again to the stage, where Manassas Public Schools and Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation honored their best and brightest this past Saturday, May 11.
Each year, Manassas Public Schools honors their outstanding teachers and administrators, and the Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation awards scholarships to selected Osbourn High School graduates. This year, both events were combined in one Night of Excellence.
Almeta Radford, Public Relations Specialist for Manassas City Public Schools, presented the teacher and staff awards:
· Teachers of the Year (sponsor: Micron Technology): Krista Kellas, 6th grade teacher, Mayfield Intermediate, and Cathy Nowak, Physical Education teacher at Haydon Elementary School
· Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher: Jennifer Alexander, Social Studies teacher, Osbourn High School
· Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award: Angela Burnett, Principal, Weems Elementary School
· Support Employee Excellence Award (sponsor: Minnieland Private Day School): Lorraine Hoyt, Instructional Assistant, Mayfield Intermediate School
· Outstanding First Year Teacher (sponsor: Councilman Ian Lovejoy): Mariclare Masterson, 3rd grade teacher, Jennie Dean Elementary School
· Outstanding Second Year Teacher (sponsor: Dr. Michaelene Meyer): Shannon Morgan, World, US, and Virginia History, Osbourn High School
· Outstanding Third Year Teacher (sponsor: Ken and Lisa LaLonde): Jennifer Santiago, 6th grade ESOL teacher, Mayfield Intermediate School
· Outstanding Mentor of the Year (sponsor: Apple Federal Credit Union): Marriam Ewaida, Literacy Coach, Metz Middle School
· National Board Certification (sponsors: George Mason University; Prince William Office of the Executive: Tri-Ed Tutoring): Deborah Krawczyk, Spanish teacher, Osbourn High School, and Claire Kennedy, French teacher, Osbourn High School
Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation then recognized eight Osbourn graduates, each of whom received a $2,000 scholarship:
· Delegate Harry J. Parrish Community Services Scholarship: Mary Spitler (will attend the University of Virginia)
· Superintendent’s Scholarship: Alexandra Maddox (will attend Longwood University)
· STEM Scholarship (sponsor: Micron Technology): Meghan Perez (will attend Johns Hopkins University)
· STEM Scholarship (sponsor: Micron Technology): Lauren Raffanello (will attend Virginia Tech)
· STEM Scholarship (sponsor: Lockheed Martin): Andrew Rollins (will attend Virginia Tech)
· STEM Scholarship (sponsor: Lockheed Martin): Tyler Bezek (will attend Virginia Tech)
· Fine Arts Scholarship: Maria Davis (will attend DeSales University)
· Vocational / Trade School Scholarship (sponsors: Micron Technology and NOVA SySTEMic Solutions): Justin Clayborn (will attend Northern Virginia Community College)
Additionally, the Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation thanked its sponsors.
· Vision Supporters:
o Apple Federal Credit Union
o Lockheed Martino Micron Technology
o Minnieland Private Day School
o NOVA SySTEMic Solutions
· Behind-the-Scenes Supporters:
o Carmello’s Restaurant
o Center for the Arts o Infinite Printing
o Mayfield Intermediate School
o Raise the Bar Strength & Conditioning
· Stand Strong Friends
· Fine Arts: Connor Albright Fund
Lianne Best, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, read the poem, “Our Greatest Fear,” by Marianne Williamson, then closed with, “Thank you to the teachers for shining your light in our community. Thank you to the students for carrying our community’s light into the world. Congratulations to you all.”
After the awards presentations, all guests enjoyed a reception in the Gallery on the second floor of the Center for the Arts Candy Factory.
Sponsors for the Night of Excellence were:
· Main Event Sponsor: Micron Foundation
· Venue Sponsor: Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory
· Reception Sponsor: Carmello’s Restaurant
· High School Sponsor: SySTEMic Solutions
· Middle School Sponsor: Minnieland Private Day School
· Elementary School Sponsors: Connor Albright Fund; Apple Federal Credit Union; Infinite Printing; Virginia Commerce Bank
