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Community Partners and Students Honored for their Outstanding Collaborations


Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council in partnership with the Loudoun Education Foundation honored community partners and Loudoun County students at their annual awards celebration at the National Conference Center in Leesburg on April 24. While connecting with the evening's theme Empower, Enrich and Engage Students, School Board Chair Ian Serotkin’s opening remarks praised the successful collaborations between local businesses and Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), reiterating the positive influence and impact companies have in shaping the educational experiences of LCPS students.

Partnership awards recognized organizations that align with LCPS' strategic plan framework and are instrumental in supporting the core beliefs, strategic goals and mission of empowering students to make meaningful contributions to the world. The successful Job-for-a-Day program, as presented by the School-Business Partnership Executive Council Vice Chair Sharon Wright, highlighted 46 partner hosts and 362 LCPS juniors and seniors. 

Community partners and students were honored for their outstanding collaborations.

  • Student Innovator Award, sponsored by Inova Loudoun Hospital and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Awardees: Minvest Finance, Academies of Loudoun and Gustavo Torres, the Northstar School and Loudoun County Mental Health/Youth Prevention Alliance of Loudoun.

  • Bringing Community Together Award, introduced by Nancy Evanko of Loudoun Economic Development 

Awardee: Asha-Jyothi in partnership with Waxpool Elementary School 

  • Partners for Progress Award, introduced by Stacey Metcalfe of Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation/Morven Park and given to the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs:

Awardees: Dominion and Loudoun Valley High Schools' student journalism programs 

  • Make a Difference Award, introduced by Michael Perham, HHMI Jamelia Research Campus 

Awardees: Riverside Presbyterian Church in partnership with Sugarland Elementary School

  • Legacy Award, introduced by Tony Stafford of Ford's Fish Shack

Awardee: Retired Leesburg Chief Gregory Brown and the Leesburg Police Department School Resource Officer Unit.

and, the

  • J. Hamilton Lambert Exemplary Leadership in Education and Community Service Award introduced by Shirley Bazdar, Claude Moore Foundation Advisor

Awardee: Retired LCPS administrator, James "Jim" Person for the years of service

"I am so proud of the work of the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council and its drive to make a difference in the life of a child through vital business-school connections within the community," Acting Superintendent Daniel Smith shared. "LCPS students have unique opportunities to assist and support each other through the commitment of time, talents and resources."

The evening solidified the mission of partnership development between the school division and local businesses; the evening highlighted the impact of engaging students in career-connected experiences, internships and mentorships. Loudoun School-Business Partnership members help future talent learn about opportunities available after high school.  

Renée Dawson, Assistant Director of Computer Science, CTE, and Community Connections shared, “This inspiring event showcases the amazing business partnerships in and around Loudoun County,  our talented LCPS students and our dedicated staff. It is a recognition of true collaboration between business and education while supporting and empowering all students to make meaningful contributions to the world.” 


Companies interested in partnering with LCPS to support student learners can visit the LCPS School Business Partnership webpage to learn more about Council opportunities. Please connect with the team to be a part of this experience: lcpscommunityconnections@lcps.org.





Published May 10, 2023