McLean Community Center (MCC) has certified nine Dranesville Small District 1A residents, four adults and five teens, to run for seats on the MCC 2018–2019 Governing Board. The board sets policy and provides general oversight for all facilities and programs of the Center, including the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Teen Center. MCC’s Ingleside Ave. facility is currently under renovation. Administrative Offices are temporarily located at 6631 Old Dominion Dr.
Residents of Dranesville Small District 1A are eligible to vote during the election.
Voting for Governing Board members will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at the McLean Day 2018 festival at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Rd. Residents also may vote by absentee ballot from Monday, April 9, through Wednesday, May 16.
Three adult positions and two youth positions are open this year. The adult candidates who receive the three-highest vote counts will serve three-year (3) terms. Youth candidates, one from the McLean High School boundary area and one from the Langley High School boundary area, will serve one-year (1) terms. Youth candidates do not have to attend these schools to serve on the board.
Adult Candidate Personal Statements:
Maria Foderaro-Guertin
“I’m excited to run as a candidate for the board of the McLean Community Center. My husband and I have lived in McLean for 14 years. We’re grateful to be raising our twins in such a wonderful community. I have been a foreign language and history teacher for 20 years. I have broad experience working with companies and nonprofits facing budget challenges. I’ve been pleased to work with many organizations advancing core values my parents instilled in me: volunteerism and hard work. With your vote, I will continue that work with our board to expand offerings for our vibrant community.”
Carole Herrick
“McLean Community Center opened in 1975; thus, it has served residents of Small District 1A for 43 years. It is the community’s jewel. Among its many features, the center provides community information, classes, lectures, meeting space, a kitchen, the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio, the MPA gallery, the Alden Theatre and a teen center. Years ago, I served three terms on the Governing Board, followed by Friends of MCC. Soon a more modern center will open. I hope to be the connection with the vision of those who created the original center and those providing a vision for its future.”
Terri Markwart
“As a member of the McLean Community Center Board, I will support the mission of the Center by promoting a sense of community through its programs and renovated facilities while respecting the tax dollars of the residents of Small District 1A. I am an 18-year resident of McLean with three children in our public schools. As Langley High School’s past PTSA President, former GMU adjunct professor, member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, TEDxTysons, Tysons Interfaith, Safe Community Coalition and McLean Youth/Langley athletics volunteer, my experience will work for the residents of Greater McLean. Thank you for your vote.”
Raj Mehra
“I am running for a seat on the McLean Community Center board because I care deeply about the community. My family has been residents of McLean since 2003 and my wife and daughters grew up in McLean. We are supporters of the McLean Project for the Arts, I have served for the last five years on the board of the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce and when my children were younger, I was a coach for McLean Youth Soccer and McLean Basketball. The charm of McLean is what I treasure most, and I want to help preserve this.”
Youth Candidate Personal Statements:
Langley High Boundary Area
Brian Kim
“Hello, my name is Brian and I am a student at Langley High School. I am running for a position on the Governing Board to become an active member of my community. I have had previous experiences as a campaign organizer at the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, an intern at Sejong Geriatric Hospital and a volunteer at Sibley Memorial Hospital. At Langley, I am a member of the Debate Team and Varsity Golf Team. Overall, I am not only interested in working with professionals and other students, but also eager to participate in the administration of McLean.
Megan Markwart
“A lifelong McLean resident and sophomore at Langley, I’ve been attending MCC programs since I was born—tagging along with my siblings to Music Together class. Redeemer Lutheran Church and my family taught me the importance of giving back and sports taught me the value of working together as a team. I work at McLean Hardware, play Langley Field Hockey, JV Soccer Captain and elected Class of 2020 SGA representative. I am also interested in being part of the discussion about how to increase youth programming at the Old Firehouse and the newly renovated MCC. Thank you for your vote.”
McLean High Boundary Area
Serena Aurora
“I believe that student governors have a special role and should always try to assess issues and decisions from the point of view of other students. Being student governor is about making sure that all perspectives are considered. I want to become a youth governor to learn more about how the community is run and to support the people in it. I have gained many experiences ranging from leading and participating in various committees to holding leadership roles. In all, I want to have a better understanding of the main concerns and policies that affect the children in our community.”
Lauren Herzberg
“I am a second-generation McLean resident; I love this town and the people that make it up. McLean High School has fostered my love for field hockey, where I was JV captain and Varsity player, developed my interest in business through DECA and spurred by fascination with the Spanish language. My true passion lies in serving others. I volunteer for Jill’s House, where I provide care for children with disabilities. I pledge to implement my love for service into the McLean Community Center and promote leadership programs to prepare McLean’s youth for the future.”
Kimya Shirazi
(no photo provided)
“The identity of a community is characterized by the degree to which its members are engaged with one another. As a member of the McLean community for 16 years, I’ve always felt the unique sense of inclusion that its people, events and resources offer. I’m currently a junior at McLean High School who is running for the McLean student position on the McLean Community Center Board. My primary intention for wanting this position is because I aim to play an influential role in heightening McLean’s collective involvement, the same quality which I admire about the community in the first place.”
- Write-in Candidates are allowed. Write-in candidates must receive at least 10 votes from 10 residents of the Center’s tax district in order to have their votes counted. For youth write-in candidates, the 10 votes must come from teens who live within the same high school boundary area as the candidate.
- Absentee ballots will be available beginning Monday, April 9. A resident may request an absentee ballot package by phone (703-744-9348, TTY: 711) or email (elections@mcleancenter.org), or may pick one up at three of MCC’s sites: Administrative Offices, at 6631 Old Dominion Dr.; Class Program/Registration Office, at 6645 Old Dominion Dr.; or The Old Firehouse Teen Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd. Completed absentee voting affidavits and ballots must be received at one of the three sites by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16.
For more information on the MCC Governing Board Elections, call the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 711 or visit: https://bit.ly/2pMtWDC.