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2024 SESSION

24104299D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 149
Offered February 7, 2024
Commending Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli.
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Patron-- Reid
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WHEREAS, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli of Rappahannock County, the executive director of Headwaters Foundation and a passionate advocate for children in public schools, was selected by Rappahannock News as its 2023 Citizen of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the Citizen of the Year award was created by the longtime publisher of Rappahannock News, Arthur W. Arundel, to honor exceptional local leaders like Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli who have left an indelible impact on Rappahannock County through their commitment to service; she is the youngest-ever recipient of the award; and

WHEREAS, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli attended Rappahannock County Public Schools and, with the encouragement and support of the Headwaters Foundation staff, where she began working as an intern at the age of 16, she graduated eighth in her high school class and earned multiple college scholarships; and

WHEREAS, a first-generation college student, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli proudly earned a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California; and

WHEREAS, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli worked for the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County and the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation before she returned to Headwaters Foundation in 2021 as the youngest executive director in the organization’s history; and

WHEREAS, as executive director, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli immediately faced numerous challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as chronic absenteeism and learning loss; and

WHEREAS, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli worked with a teacher and team of volunteers to reinvigorate a reading assistance program to enhance student literacy and expanded an after-school enrichment program to include new and engaging activities like martial arts, cooking, robotics, sewing, and health and wellness activities; and

WHEREAS, under Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli’s leadership, Headwaters Foundation awarded more than $115,000 in scholarships and financial assistance in 2023, provided education stipends for teachers, sponsored field trips for local students, and created a youth mentorship program; and

WHEREAS, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli also launched an annual Harvest Festival to build a strong sense of community while raising money to support Headwaters Foundation’s vital outreach programs; and

WHEREAS, Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli has touched the lives of hundreds of public school students through her kindness and generosity, and she has inspired her colleagues through her unparalleled organizational and leadership skills; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli on her selection as the 2023 Citizen of the Year by Rappahannock News; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Brittany Dwyer-Gianoli as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her legacy of contributions to young people in Rappahannock County.