Ashburn Ruritans Honor Outstanding Young Residents

President Barry Dwyer told the crowd at the club's 17^th annual “Outstanding Student Citizen Awards” night May 15 that he was pleased to present such positive awards to contrast the doom and gloom stories about young people that often appear in the media. 

Dwyer then encouraged the 2012 award winners to continue their hard work and good deeds.

“Continue to display the enthusiasm for learning, the cooperativeness with your teachers, the compassion and assistance to your peers, and the community service activities that have earned you these awards,” he said. “The future of our nation  depends on your continued outstanding performance.”

Principal served as host during the event, which was in the Ashburn school’s cafeteria. About 140 people attended, including the families of those honored, teachers, school principals, Ruritan members and honored guests, including Ned Waterhouse, deputy superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools.

Principals and teachers from their respective schools selected the award winners. The Ashburn Ruritan Club will send donations charities selected by each student. Winners also received certificates and plaques engraved with their name to display at their schools.   

Ruritan student club members Emily Dawson, a senior at Broad Run, received a special Ruritan Civic Service Award in recognition of her community service with the club.

Ned Waterhouse said the students were honored for “doing the right thing when nobody was looking.” He also encouraged parents and students to volunteer and participate in the activities of civic service organizations, such as Ruritan, that help keep Ashburn and Loudoun County an exceptional place to live and work.

(NOTE: The awards for Briar Woods, Broad Run and Stone Bridge High Schools will be announced in June at each school’s ceremony.)

Award winners:

• –Hodan Mohamed
• –Carson Swank
• –Cameron Cocozza
• –Sreya Mallipeddi
• –Isabella Mehrotra
• –Keely McNeme
• –Nathaniel Jone
• –Grace Godwin
• –Jack Darnell
• –Srija Pinnamaneni
• –Vlad Ratiu
• –Sarina Asher
• –Carson Forsyth
• –Maria Peters
• –Kyleigh McGrail
• –Meila Grantham
• –Brian Grant
• –Zackery Wold