Prince William Education Association presented Membership Growth Award

Fifty members of the Prince William Education Association joined more than 800 of their public school colleagues from around the state recently in Hampton for the annual convention of the Virginia Education Association.

They made up the Prince William County delegation at the event at which time the business of the 60,000-member organization was conducted.

"The VEA is committed to pursing the best education for our children and the best working conditions for our educators because we believe the two go hand-in-hand," said Bonnie Klakowicz, president of the PWEA. "At the convention, our delegates have the opportunity to experience the working relationship between the local and state organizations first-hand as we seek to improve the lives of both public school students and public school employees."

In addition to debating education proposals and changes to the governing documents of the VEA, convention dele-gates adopted the VEA's 2009-2010 budget. Also, for the first time in history, all candidates in the race for Virginia governor addressed the delegates.

Also for the first time, all awards, formerly presented during the course of the three-day convention were given at an award banquet. The PWEA received the Membership Growth Award for 2008-2009. The evening also featured an art auction with the proceeds earmarked specifically for the VEA Political Action Committee.

PWEA members serving as delegates were: James Amaral (Bennett Elementary School), Diana Bentley (Rippon Middle School), Loretta Bryant-Kline (Woodbridge High School) Carol Carnese (Leesylania ES), Ashley Catlett (Potomac MS) Kathryn Cark (West Gate ES), Jacqueline Connelly (Graham Park MS), Lori Costello (Woodbridge MS), Giovanni Dixon (Beville MS), Christie Duerr (Kerrydale ES), Lori Dunn (Leesylvania ES), Gwen Edwards (Rippon MS), Twana Ellis (Graham Park MS), Daniel Foose (Sinclair ES), Malaika Gaskins (Gar-Field HS), Kim-berly Harper (Potomac MS), Warren Hill (Potomac HS), Mary Jo Howarth (Bristow Run ES), Irene Jones (Parkside MS), Bridget Jones (Potomac HS), David Kinsella (Osbourn Park HS) Klakowicz (PWEA Office), Davie Kline (Rippon MS), Jim Livingston (Parkside MS), Michelle Mallett-Schaffer (Pattie ES).

Also, Wendy Marr (Graham Park MS), Amanda McCulla (Nokesville ES), Ellen McKinstrie (Woodbridge MS), Danielle Miles (Potomac MS), Laura Miner (Bull Run MS), Alison Morber (Nokesville ES), Riley O' Casey (Bull Run MS), Derick Richard (Forest Park HS), Marsha Robeson (Forest Park HS), Jennifer Rokasky (Wood-bridge HS), Danielle Rowe (Rippon MS), Amy Roy (Marsteller MS), Matt Schaffer (Fred Lynn MS), Sally Self (Kerrydale ES), Bruce Smith, (Rippon MS), Jane Stevens (Gar-Field HS), Rick Stoppa (Rippon MS), Mary Tate (Potomac HS), Myrna Thurnher (Woodbridge HS), John Treadwell (Woodbridge MS), Denita Verbeck (Gar-Field HS), Andy White (Marumsco Hills ES), Davie Williams (Parkside MSK), Amy Wise (Rippon MS) and Carol Zurat (Sinclair ES).

The site of the convention varies from year to year. In 2008, the assembly was conducted in Roanoke; next year the convention will be in Virginia Beach.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.