To the Editor:
As president/CEO of Hopkins House, I don’t often “endorse” candidates for political office. However, in this case, I make an exception.
Hopkins House is a local nonprofit organization that operates education enriched preschool academies for infants and children, summer discovery camps for adolescents, and a college and career development institute for teens and adults serving children, youth, and families in Alexandria and other Northern Virginia localities.
Our organization and the families we serve are privileged with the opportunity to work closely and regularly with elected officials, as well as candidates seeking political office, no matter their party affiliation.
One candidate, with whom I have had the pleasure of working with for more than 20 years, stands out as an elected official firmly committed to the best interests of children, youth, and families in our city.
That candidate is Pat Hennig. She is running for election to represent District C on the Alexandria City School Board.
In addition to being a member of the current School Board, Pat has a record of more than 35 years of community involvement focused on the betterment of our children and families:
Pat has served as a PTA officer at three schools and served as a member of four School Board advisory committees.
Pat was a member of the first elected School Board and served on the board’s Facilities Committee, which provided guidance and oversight to the system’s capital and repair projects. Sadly, that committee was disbanded.
Pat served for 9 years on the Special Education Advisory Committee, served for 10 years on the Substance Abuse Education Committee, including an unprecedented 8 years as chair during a time when Alexandria, and the major surrounding areas were fighting drug abuse and trafficking.
Pat served for two separate terms as a member of the Budget Advisory Committee.
Pat was a founding board member of the Alexandria Police Youth Camp Foundation, which aided APD in funding summer recreation and education programs for our underserved youth.
Pat is now in her second term with the Virginia School Boards Association Government Affairs Committee, representing the 8th Congressional District, which shows that she has the respect of her peers in the Commonwealth.
Pat Hennig has served our city well on the current School Board — she has done her homework, kept a professional eye (she is a corporate controller, after all) on the budget, worked with her colleagues and the staff to improve our school system for all students. Her professionalism and accessibility to parents and citizens from all over the city, not just her district, as well as her knowledge of the city and the history of the system, will serve us well in her second term.
I hope voters agree on Nov. 7.
J. Glenn Hopkins
Alexandria