The event, held on the Friday before Veterans Day, included a recognition of FCPS employees who were nominated for the Veteran in Education Service Award. In its ninth year, this award was created to honor an FCPS employee who has served our nation in the armed forces and provided exemplary service to FCPS and the community. Woodsboro Bank sponsors the annual Veteran in Education Award.
This year’s FCPS Veteran in Education Service Award nominees are:
- Tracy Brown, a Special Education teacher at Butterfly Ridge Elementary, who served in the United States Air Force
- Kenneth Lewis, a Web Developer for the FCPS Department of Technology Infrastructure, who served in the United States Navy
- Lisa Martell, a Multilingual Learners Teacher at Gov. Thomas Johnson High, who served in the United States Army
- Kevin Orsini, a Physical Education teacher at Centerville Elementary and Glade Elementary, who served in the United States Army
- Derek Parrish, a Safety Systems Technician for FCPS Safety & Emergency Management, who served in the United States Air Force
- Terra Williams, a Computer Science Teacher at Gov. Thomas Johnson High, who served in the United States Army
The 2025 Veteran in Education Service Award recipient will be announced next week.
“To all veterans, whether you served decades ago or are currently wearing the uniform, we thank you,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson said during the ceremony. “Thank you for the sacrifices you made, for the families who stood beside you and for the example you set for all of us. On behalf of our FCPS community, please accept our deepest gratitude.”
Several students participated in the Veteran in Education Award ceremony:
Urbana High’s Marla Vardaros performed the National Anthem
Tuscarora High students Lina Quiros, Judah Hernandez, Hules Batzorig, and Kaylin Ki performed America the Beautiful.
Linganore High’s Zachary Hersch performed Taps.
Col. John Fer, U.S. Air Force, Retired, was the ceremony’s special guest. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Fer is a Vietnam veteran, pilot and prisoner of war. He retired after 28 years of service to become a teacher and principal.