Congratulations to Paul Hall, school counseling director at Loudoun Valley High School on being the January SHINE recipient. His prize, sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union and presented by Loudoun Education Foundation, was two tickets to an upcoming Washington Capitals game in a luxury suite!

Congratulations to our February SHINE winner, Kathryn Schroeck of Round Hill Elementary School! She was nominated by a student, and her prize from Loudoun Education Foundation, sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union, included gifts showcasing her family's love of baseball and travel to the beach, along with gift cards to local restaurants.

Congratulations to Traci Scannell Crowe for being selected as the March winner of SHINE! Traci is a teacher with Virtual Distance Learning, and won a spa day courtesy of the LEA Retired Teachers Association. Thank you Loudoun Education Foundation for partnering with LCPS on SHINE~

Ruben Rodriguez Alcantara, custodian at Elaine T. Thompson Elementary School, has been selected as the April winner of the SHINE award. He was nominated by the special education dean and given a prize package of tickets to a Loudoun United soccer game as well at gift cards to two of his favorite stores. This month's prize was sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union.

Elizabeth Kraatz, Traffic and Pedestrian Specialist, is the May SHINE winner. She was nominated by her supervisor for her quick thinking and problem solving during a stressful situation. She was presented with four months of a house cleaning service from Maid Brigade and a horseback riding tour for two! Thank you, Loudoun Education Foundation, for your support of SHINE this year~

August, 2024

Antonio Jackson, copy center operator at the Admin Building, is the summer SHINE winner. He was nominated by an instructional facilitator for technology at a middle school for his ability to produce quality work often given short notice and quick deadlines. He was awarded tickets to an upcoming Washington Commanders football game and a gift card. We're proud to have Teachers Home Benefits as our sponsor for this month's prize!

September, 2024

Nicole Reeves, teacher at Legacy Elementary School, is our first SHINE winner of the 2024-2025 school year. She was nominated by her assistant principal for her ongoing efforts to mentor new teachers and assist her colleagues with beginning of the year tasks. Thank you to CIGNA for providing a great prize package including a winery tour and transportation!

October, 2024

Stephanie Rast, site-based substitute at Waterford Elementary School, is the SHINE winner from submissions from the month of September. She was nominated by SIX different staff members for her flexibility in stepping into any position at the school, whether it's in the cafeteria, as a teacher, an assistant, or helping in the main office. She builds relationships with all students, and often spends her own money to purchase supplies for classrooms. She was awarded a package at Woodhouse Day Spa and a gift card for dinner at Travinia Italian Kitchen and Bar. Thank you to this month's sponsor, Loudoun County Orthodontics!

November, 2024

Awalom (Alex) Tewolde, custodian at Little River Elementary School, has been chosen as the SHINE winner from all submissions entered in October. He was nominated by assistant principal Kim Dempsey for his incredible support of a family from Ethiopia, his home country. Acting as a translator during meetings, Alex offered to help the kindergarten student who was struggling with transitions in and out of the classroom, likely brought on by the trauma of fleeing his home in a war torn country. Because of Alex's compassion and care, along with his ability to speak three languages, this student has acclimated to elementary school in America and is now thriving! Alex was awarded gift cards to continue his work of helping his family back in Ethiopia and those migrating here. Thank you to this month's sponsor, Loudoun Education Foundation!

December, 2024

Enma Oliveros, family liaison at Smarts Mill Middle School, has been named the SHINE winner from the submissions entered in November. Enma was nominated by teacher Bailey Washington, who said, "Enma has transformed the PEP meetings as Smart's Mill. Enma gives them information on how to support their students in school. She also invites community members to teach the parents how to do things like get a library card. Each meeting concludes with a shared meal, donated clothes and household goods, and a raffle for bags of groceries. Without Emna's support, our community members and staff would be a lot less connected. We're luck to have her!" Thank you for Apple Federal Credit Union for sponsoring her gift- tickets for her entire family to attend the Harry Potter Experience! Thank you Loudoun Education Foundation for your continued support of SHINE.

January, 2025

Rene Pettit, school nurse at J. Lupton Simpson Middle School, was named the December winner for SHINE! She was nominated by a parent for her efforts in helping a student with a new diagnosis. "My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the end of July this year. Nurse Pettit has gone above and beyond for my daughter and our family. She communicates with me every single time my daughter’s levels are off, she needs new supplies or if she’s not feeling well. She listens and collaborates with us. Nurse Pettit played an incredible role in all the paperwork and new processes for our daughter’s care while at school. She supports her every day not only physically, but emotionally as well as she copes with this new normal. She is such an encouragement to her. We are so grateful for Nurse Pettit and her consistent dedication, love, knowledge and support to our daughter and family." Rene received a basket with gift cards to treat herself as well as enrich her passion, which is helping pets! Thank you to Pounce Marketing Solutions for sponsoring this month's prize!

February, 2025

Congratulations to Jeff Schutte, student activities coordinator at Woodgrove High School, for being selected as the January SHINE winner! Jeff was nominated by Discovery Elementary principal Chris Painter, who wrote, "In the face of a nationwide crisis in school attendance, Jeff Schutte, the Student Activities Coordinator at Woodgrove High School, has emerged as a true hero. His story is one of going above and beyond, demonstrating unwavering commitment and innovative thinking. As schools across the nation, including those in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), grappled with the challenge of getting students back to school consistently post-pandemic, Jeff, and his school team, took it upon himself to find a solution. Recognizing the heavy burden on schools to develop effective systems for monitoring and improving attendance, Jeff and his team at Woodgrove High School devised an incredibly efficient and innovative process. They skillfully merged various platforms accessible through LCPS, creating a seamless system that not only tracks attendance but also enhances communication. But Jeff's dedication didn't stop with Woodgrove H.S. Understanding the broader impact of his work, he graciously shared his insights and processes with us at Discovery Elementary helping us streamline our own attendance monitoring system. Jeff has spent countless hours outside of his official role, supporting our school." Jeff's prize was sponsored by Cigna Healthcare, which included a weekend at a local bed and breakfast and gift cards to a fine dining restaurant!