The Arc of Howard County praised the county’s elected officials at its annual Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony May 14.
Among the businesspeople, professionals, educators and others cited for their support of The Arc, political leaders were especially in the limelight. Ed Wilson, President of The Arc’s Board of Directors, presented the President’s Award jointly to State Delegate Guy Guzzone of Howard County and State Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton of Charles County. The two are “legislative champions for people with developmental disabilities,” Wilson noted, pointing out their leadership in increasing funding for direct support wages in the midst of the contentious minimum wage debate during the Session.
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State Senator James Robey was presented an Excellence in Public Service Award in recognition of his long tenure – in law enforcement, as Howard County Executive and as State Senator -- championing the county’s and state’s citizens with disabilities.
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Robey and three other retiring members of the Howard County Delegation to the State Assembly –Delegate Elizabeth Bobo, Delegate Steven DeBoy and Delegate James Malone – were presented Legacy Awards for their “years of advocacy and support.”
An Excellence in Public Service Award was presented to Judy Pattik, Coordinator of Special Education for the Howard County Public School System.
The Excellence in Schools Award was won by Hammond High School and its dance program led by teacher Brooke Kuhl-McClellan and para-educator Lois Geyer. The student mentors in the program were also cited for supporting a fully included dance program, where students with disabilities perform with their typical peers.
Two Self Advocate of the Year awards were presented. The honorees were Jason Kauffman and Daniel Larrimore, who were honored for their growth personally and professionally.
Norman Eaton and Bob Stevens of Homewood Suites won the Excellence in Employment Award for “providing a courteous, supportive, warm and friendly environment where an employee served by The Arc has flourished and has been able to realize his potential.”
Parent Alyssa Nagy and students Blaire Ridgley and Scarlet Woofter won Excellence in Community Awards for helping establish Patapsco Pals, an initiative to connect typical students and their peers who have developmental disabilities at Patapsco Middle School.
Rose Silverstein received an Excellence in Community Award for establishing and maintaining a relationship with a young woman with disabilities.
Tennis instructor Shantha Chandra also was awarded an Excellence in Community Award for teaching “lifetime skills with an emphasis on sportsmanship, inclusion and growth among diverse individuals.”
Excellence in Professional Service Awards went to massage therapist Margaret Dressel and childcare provider Agnieszka Dziadek.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Phil Swanson, who has been a volunteer, a donor and sponsor, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, and helps in whatever capacity in which he is asked to participate.
The Employee of the Year Award was presented by Executive Director Carol A. Beatty to Andre Pearson, a house manager who was cited for transforming the home environment for the men he supports.
Since its inception in 1961, The Arc has become one of Howard County’s largest employers, with more than 300 staff members and hundreds of volunteers working to achieve full community life for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides a range of residential, work and day services and family support services.
For more information about The Arc, visit www.archoward.org.
