Celeste Peterson: Citizen of the Year
<36hd>Meet Centreville’s Citizen, Business of the Year
<1b>By Bonnie Hobbs
<2b>The Connection
Each Centreville Day, the Centreville Day Planning Committee honors a citizen and businessperson of the year for their contributions to the community. And during this year’s festival, the 30th annual, it recognized Celeste Peterson as Citizen of the Year and Charles Keener as Business Citizen of the Year.
Supervisor Kathy Smith (D-Sully) presented both awards during the opening ceremony. She first noted how, some 20 years ago, Peterson developed STEM activities for afterschool programs for middle-school girls. “As a regular volunteer in middle schools throughout Fairfax County, Celeste became a vibrant role model for girls interested in math and science careers,” said Smith.
“She then created the Erin Peterson Fund, honoring her daughter Erin, who was among the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy in 2007,” continued Smith. “To date, more than $260,000 in scholarships and grants have been awarded to area students.
“Celeste also mentors students at Westfield High and Stone Middle School and provides coats for children through her Koats for Kids program at Centreville Elementary. Responding to the pandemic, the Erin Peterson Fund created the Fuel Station food pantry at Westfield High. Celeste also provided snacks for the residents of Forest Glen Senior Apartments.
“She’s being recognized today for her longtime contributions to our community. It’s a small recognition, compared to her monumental efforts to support our families and neighbors throughout Northern Virginia.”
Charles Keener: Business Citizen of the Year
Receiving her award, Peterson said, “My daughter wanted to help people, so she left a clear compass for my husband and I to do when she was gone. She wanted to work for a nonprofit. And my dealing with kids, every day, plants seeds so they have more options in their lives. I’m honored and humbled, and I thank you.”
Smith next explained Keener’s selection. Since 1973, she said, the Keener family – headed by the late Dale Keener – and Keener Insurance Agency have been an integral part of the Centreville community.
“When the need was identified, the Keener family offered space in their office building to house a fledgling, local food bank that has since become the extraordinary Western Fairfax Christian Ministries [WFCM],” said Smith. “In fact, the family home is one of the last-surviving, original homes on Stone Road.
“[Dale’s son] Charles Keener, now runs the business and continues the legacy of community service as a steadfast supporter of WFCM and a leader in the Rotary Club of Centreville & Chantilly. He’s also contributed many years to WFCM’s annual, [fundraising] golf tournament. The altruistic efforts of this family business, Keener Insurance, for nearly 50 years, are appreciated with this modest recognition of their outstanding work to support families and colleagues throughout Northern Virginia.”
A 1992 graduate of Centreville High – the school’s first, four-year graduating class – Keener was pleased to accept the award. Afterward, he said, “I’m humbled by this recognition – it’s really my father’s work they’re honoring. I’m just happy to help WFCM whenever I can. I’m honored and blessed to continue my father’s legacy.”
* Also feted at Centreville Day was Ted McCord, who recently retired from his position as a professor in GMU’s history department. He also moved out of Mount Gilead, his home for the past 27 years in Historic Centreville Park, where Centreville Day is celebrated.
A former tavern, Mount Gilead was built in 1785, and McCord was its resident caretaker. “But he was also much more,” said Smith. “He investigated its history, hosted descendants of its residents and even helped conduct an archaeological investigation on the premises.
“Most importantly, Ted has been essential to keeping Mount Gilead a living part of Centreville by graciously opening his home on Centreville Day, and on many other occasions, for groups interested in a tour. And today, we recognize his lifetime of contributions to local history.”