In the News
Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council Celebrates School and Community Partners
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April 23, 2024
The Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council held its annual partnership breakfast on Friday, April 19, at the National Conference Center. More than 600 attended to promote the collaboration and recognition of partnerships between Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) and community partners. The theme for this year’s breakfast, which was fully sponsored by business partners, was OneLCPS: Forward Together.
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation honored for its partnership with the AVID and CAMPUS programs
PRESS RELEASE
April 9, 2024
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation is proud to be honored by the Loudoun County Public Schools Board and the Virginia School Boards Association for its partnership with two LCPS programs — the AVID program at Tuscarora High School (Virginia) and the CAMPUS program through the Office of School Counseling.
We are grateful to the LCPS leadership, staff and board present at the meeting, along with Grant Schafer, Stacey Metcalfe and Sharon L. Wright of the business-school partnership.
Representing Loudoun Laurels at the event were Board Chair Joe May, Board Member Stephen Mautner, and Executive Director Nikki Daruwala.
Leesburg Business Awards Finalists Announced
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March 13, 2024
Nineteen businesses and individuals have been selected as finalists for the annual Leesburg Business Awards. Winners will be announced during a May 1 program at The Home2 Suites by Hilton-Leesburg.
Nominations for the 2024 Laureates Are Now Open
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February 8, 2024
The Loudoun Laurels are seeking nominations from the Loudoun County community for its 2024 Laureate. Please submit the form below, or complete this Laureate nomination form and email to info@loudounlaurels.org.
Loudoun Laurels Receives Transparency Recognition
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February 8, 2024
From Loudoun Laurels
We are incredibly proud and humbled to receive the 2024 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and are committed to continuing to be transparent and accountable to our donors and the community.
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Opens Nominations for 2024 Honoree
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January 2, 2024
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2024 laureate.
The foundation’s mission is to honor exceptional community service for the benefit of Loudoun County residents and to develop future civic leaders through scholarships and mentorships. Each year the organization honors community leaders with the Loudoun Laureate award. Nominations for this year’s Loudoun Laureates will close March 15.
Loudoun Laurels Scholars Return for Issues Forum
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December 22, 2023
Since 2013, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation has provided scholarships to 27 Loudoun County high school students who were awarded $40,000 to pursue their education at Virginia colleges, with many continuing on to graduate programs across the country.
On Monday night, many of them gathered at Fabbioli Cellars winery for a mentorship program during which three scholars shared their experiences with an audience that included several of the community leaders who have been selected as Loudoun Laureates since the program launched in 2008. The scholarship program targets students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Sheila Johnson, Lewis Parker named Laureates
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September 27, 2023
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation honored Lewis Parker and Sheila Johnson as 2023 Laureates at a gala event Sept. 22 to celebrate the contributions of community members.
Also recognized were at the event, held at Lansdowne Resort, were Elizabeth Morejon and Josmar Chavez, both Loudoun County Public School graduates who were selected as the 2023 Scholars. They will each receive $40,000 toward their continued education.
Johnson, Parker Celebrated for Community Contributions
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September 24, 2023
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation on Friday night celebrated the community contributions of Sheila Johnson and Lew Parker during its annual fundraising gala that also introduced its latest scholarship recipients.
Both entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Johnson and Parker join a roster of 30 previous Loudoun Laureates to be honored for their lifetimes of accomplishments and community service through the program that was launched in 2008. The sold-out gala was held at Lansdowne Resort.
Loudoun Laurels Scholarship receives $500K boost from May Family Foundation
PRESS RELEASE
September 6, 2023
The May Family Foundation announced Sept. 6 it will contribute up to $500,000 in matching funds to grow the endowment of the Loudoun Laurels scholarship program by as much as $1 million. This year is the 10th anniversary of the program’s launch. Read More
May Family Foundation Offers $500,000 in Matching Funds to Bolster Endowment of Loudoun Laurels Scholarship Program
PRESS RELEASE
September 6, 2023
The Honorable Joe T. May, chairman of the Loudoun Laurels Foundation, recently announced that the May Family Foundation will contribute up to $500,000 in matching funds to grow the endowment of the Loudoun Laurels scholarship program by as much as $1 million on the tenth anniversary of its launch in 2013. In those 10 years, 27 Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) students have each received, or are receiving, $40,000 scholarships, disbursed in $10,000 annual increments, to help defray the cost of attending a Virginia state college or university of their choice. Read More
Loudoun Laurels announces Lewis Parker and Sheila Johnson are 2023 Laureates
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June 2023
The Loudoun Laureate awards are presented each year to outstanding community members for their selflessness, integrity, creativity, wisdom and courage and the Loudoun Laurels Foundation recently announced that this year’s Laureates are Sheila Johnson and Lewis Parker, according to a press release. They will be honored at a dinner hosted by the Loudoun Laurels Foundation on Sept. 22 at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg. Read More
Campus Celebrates Graduating Seniors and the 20th Anniversary of the Program
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June 2023
The College Achievement and Multicultural Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS), an LCPS academic and college preparatory program that is designed to remove barriers to higher education, particularly for students who will be the first in their families to attend college, celebrated its 115 graduating seniors on Wednesday, May 24 at Briar Woods High School. Read More
Johnson, Parker Selected as Loudoun Laureates
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June 2023
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has selected Sheila Johnson and Lewis Parker as its 2023 Loudoun Laureates. Since 2008, the program has recognized community leaders who exemplify characteristics of selflessness, integrity, creativity, wisdom, and courage. This year’s laureate selections were drawn from a pool of candidates, nominated by the public, who contribute their time, energy, and resources to make the county a better place. Read More
Sheila Johnson and Lewis Parker Are Named 2023 Loudoun Laureates; Two LCPS Seniors To Receive College Scholarships
PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2023
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has chosen Sheila Johnson and Lewis Parker as its 2023 Loudoun Laureates, seeing in them the personification of qualities it seeks in all candidates for the annual honor: selflessness, integrity, creativity, wisdom, and courage. This year’s selections were drawn from an exceptional pool of worthy candidates, notable for its quality and quantity. In its deliberations, the Advisory Committee remarked on the difficulty of their task, acknowledging the many people who contribute so much of their time, energy, and resources to make the county a better place. In the end, they found Sheila and Lew to be great examples of that giving spirit. Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Scholarship Opportunities
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April 2023
In 2008, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation began its greater impact on Loudoun County through simple acts of kindness, such as growing fruits and baking cakes for community members. Then, in 2013, this organization realized they wanted to expand their generosity to those who also give back to the community, especially to young individuals with rich creativity, selflessness, and potential as the next generation of leaders in Loudoun County. Read More
Nominations Open for 2023 Loudoun Laurels Honoree
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January 5, 2023
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2023 laureate.
The foundation’s mission is to honor exceptional community service for the benefit of Loudoun County residents and to develop future civic leaders through scholarships and mentorships. Each year the organization honors community leaders with the Loudoun Laureate award. Nominations for this year’s Loudoun Laureates will close April 1. Read More
From Selfish to Service: Cisco co-founder Sandy Lerner tells parents how to displace kids’ cell phones
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December 2022
Stewardship is defined as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. As The Loudoun Laurels Foundation interprets this trust, it involves honoring people who are role models for others and whose lives contribute to the quality of life in Loudoun County. Read More
Loudoun Laurels set to honor Cisco co-founder Sandy Lerner at Friday’s gala
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September 28, 2022
Every year since 2008, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation recognizes the contributions of Loudoun County citizens by naming them Laureates at an annual gala at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg.
For this year’s event on Sept. 30, Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems and owner of Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, has been selected as the honoree. Lerner sat down with the Times-Mirror earlier this week to talk about her work in Loudoun County and what it means to be recognized for her service. Read More
Congratulations to Our 2022 Graduates
PRESS RELEASE
July 8, 2022
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation congratulates our graduating scholars: Sulma Hernandez, Ashley Cardenas-Alviar, and Jayla Grooms.
Loudoun Laurels Remembers The Late Paul G. Ziluca
PRESS RELEASE
June 13, 2022
The Loudoun Laurel’s Foundation is deeply saddened to share the passing of 2009 Loudoun Laureate Paul Ziluca on May 12th. He will be remembered fondly for his many contributions to Loudoun and our community and will be deeply missed by his colleagues at the Loudoun Laurels Foundation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Paul’s obituary is available at: ompsfuneralhome.com/obituary/paul-g-ziluca/. To learn more about Paul’s life and legacy, watch youtu.be/0Emv3–E_lg.
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients
PRESS RELEASE
June 9, 2022
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has awarded $40,000 scholarships to two Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) students this year. The awardees are Jasmeet Kaur, a Tuscarora High School senior who will attend George Mason University, where she plans to major in accounting, and Carlos Morales, a Potomac Falls High School senior who will attend George Mason University to pursue a course of study in biomedical engineering. Read More
Lerner Selected as 2022 Loudoun Laurels Honoree
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June 3, 2022
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has selected Sandy Lerner as its 2022 laureate.
She was chosen from among nearly two dozen nominations submitted by the public.
The foundation is committed to honoring exceptional community service for the benefit of Loudoun County citizens and developing future civic leaders through scholarships and mentorships. Each year, the foundation honors Loudoun County citizens whose commitment to the Loudoun community through leadership, community service, and philanthropy have helped make Loudoun County a great place in which to live and work. Read More
Sandy Lerner Is Named 2022 Loudoun Laureate
PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2022
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has chosen Sandy Lerner as its 2022 Loudoun Laureate, seeing in her the personification of qualities it seeks in all candidates for this honor: selflessness, integrity, creativity, wisdom, and courage. This year’s selection was drawn from an exceptional pool of worthy candidates, notable for its quality and quantity. Read More
Schaufeld Family Foundation Makes $50,000 Grant to Loudoun Laurels Foundation Endowment
PRESS RELEASE
March 2, 2022
The Schaufeld Family Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $50,000 to the Loudoun Laurels Foundation for its Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust endowment. “My family and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the mission of the Loudoun Laurels—to provide educational scholarships to our promising youth,” said Karen Schaufeld in announcing the award. Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Awards Two $40,000 Scholarships to LCPS Students
PRESS RELEASE
July 23, 2021
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2021 Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust scholarships, Carla Martinez Borja, and Wendy Ramirez. Ms. Martinez is a graduate of Heritage High School who will study nursing at George Mason University. Ms. Ramirez is a graduate of Park View High School who will major in social work at George Mason University. Ms. Martinez and Ms. Ramirez were participants in the Loudoun County Public School’s (LCPS) College Achievement Minority Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS) during their years in high school. Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Announces 2021 Laureate
PRESS RELEASE
July 16, 2021
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has selected its 2021 Laureate. The honoree is Dorothy “Punkin” Lee who founded Journeymen Saddlers in Middleburg and has operated the business for 45 years. The high standards of Loudoun Laurels: selflessness; integrity; creativity; wisdom and courage, are personified in Punkin. Everything she does is for the love of her community, trying to help make things the best they can be. Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Planning for 2021 Gala
PRESS RELEASE
April 1, 2021
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation is moving forward with its plans for a 2021 Gala to be held on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Lansdowne Resort. The honoree at this year’s event is businessman and philanthropist Chuck Kuhn. An active business leader for almost 40 years, he and his family continue to support humanitarian, land preservation and conservation, and community-oriented causes throughout Loudoun County. Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Announces 2020 Laureate
PRESS RELEASE
June 29, 2020
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has selected its 2020 Laureate. The honoree is businessman and philanthropist Chuck Kuhn. An active business leader for over 38 years, he has worked or lived in Loudoun County since 1994. He is well known for his humanitarian, land preservation and conservation, and community-oriented efforts throughout.
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Loudoun Laurels Foundation Cancels Annual Gala for 2020
2021 Gala Scheduled for September 24, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
April 2, 2020
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has cancelled its annual gala this year. Pat Daly, the Foundation’s president said, “With the welfare of our guests, many of whom are at high-risk for contracting the COVID-19 virus, in mind, the board has decided to cancel the gala. Our gala was to be held at Lansdowne Resort and Spa on Friday, September 25, 2020. Looking forward to next year, we have scheduled the gala for Friday, September 24, 2021, at Lansdowne.” Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Seeks Nominations for 2020 Loudoun Laureates
PRESS RELEASE
February 21, 2020
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation is seeking nominations from the greater Loudoun Community for its 2020 Laureates. This year’s Laureates will be honored at the Foundation’s annual Gala to be held on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Lansdowne Resort. Read More
Claude Moore Foundation Grants $250,000 to Loudoun Laurels Foundation Endowment
PRESS RELEASE
July 18, 2019
The trustees of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation have awarded a grant in the amount of $250,000 to the Loudoun Laurels Foundation for its Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust endowment. The Claude Moore Foundation’s grant is a matching grant to the $250,000 grant made by the May Family Foundation earlier this year. Read More
Loudoun Laurels Foundation Announces 2019 Scholarship Recipients
PRESS RELEASE
June 3, 2019
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation has awarded Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust scholarships to three Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) students this year. Two of the scholarship recipients participated in the national Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program and one recipient participated in LCPS’ College Achievement Minority Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS) before graduating this month. Read More