Loudoun County Public Schools recognized local businesses and community members for their support of student learning during the School Business Partnership Awards Recognition Breakfast held on April 16. The event, hosted by the School Business Partnership Executive Council in partnership with the Loudoun Education Foundation, brought together more than 800 attendees to celebrate partnerships that contribute to career-connected learning, workforce development, wellness supports, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities.
The importance of these collaborations was underscored by Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence in his opening remarks. “The future workforce of Loudoun County is sitting in our classrooms today,” said Dr. Spence. “When our schools and business community work in alignment, we create meaningful opportunities for students to see, prepare for, and step confidently into their imagined futures. These partnerships are not symbolic; they are essential. They help ensure our students graduate not only with strong academic foundations, but with the skills, experiences, and confidence to thrive in college, career, and life. I am grateful to the leaders in this room for investing in our students and helping strengthen the future of our entire community.”
This year’s theme was Elevate Loudoun: Partnerships and Pathways. Student-designed posters and centerpieces highlighted student involvement throughout the program. Over the past two years Loudoun County Public Schools has nearly doubled its number of registered community partners from 1,000 in 2024 to 1,958 this year.
Several awards were presented during the ceremony: Ferri Riar of Orblynx Academy received the Make a Difference Award for contributions to STEM education among girls and underrepresented populations; Northrop Grumman was honored with a Legacy Award recognizing more than 25 years of partnership; Dr. William Hazel received the J. Hamilton Lambert Exemplary Leadership award for his leadership at Claude Moore Opportunities supporting health science careers.
Stories shared at the event included successful collaborations with organizations such as Northern Virginia Community College, Crossroads United Methodist Church, A Place to Be, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, and Ridgetop Dental.
“This day is the true highlight of the SBPEC’s work,” said Susan Mitchell, SBPEC Chair. “I am deeply grateful for the time and talent this room represents because every minute and every commitment makes a real difference for all students.”
Loudoun County Public Schools serves over 80,000 students across more than 100 schools with approximately 13,500 employees.
