Recipients Of Best Of Braddock Awards Honored At Reception In Burke

BURKE, VA — Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw hosted a reception on Dec. 7 to announces the nine winners of the 2022 Best of Braddock Awards.

The awards recognized residents, organizations and public sector employees who made a positive contribution to the Braddock District and Fairfax County as a whole over the past year.

The winners of the 2022 Best of Braddock Awards “exemplify the spirit of service and collaboration that make this such a special place,” Walkinshaw said in a statement.

“One of my most important roles is to support and celebrate those in our community who go above and beyond to make their neighborhood, the Braddock District, and Fairfax County an even better place to live, work, and play,” he said.

Walkinshaw was joined by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, state Sen. Dave Marsden and Del. David Bulova at the reception to honor the Best of Braddock Awards winners. The Annandale High School Culinary Arts program, led by Chef Christopher Plum, also participated in the event.

The reception was held at the Braddock District supervisor’s office on Burke Lake Road.

The names of the winners, who received awards at the reception, will be added to the Best of Braddock plaques displayed in the supervisor’s office. The winners will also be recognized in the Congressional Record by U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) and by the Virginia Senate, thanks to Marsden.

The 2022 Best of Braddock Award winners are:

Citizen of the Year

• Brian Bishop

Young Person of the Year

• Pedro Leonardo Herrera Santiago – Elementary School Winner
• Lucas Bickford – High School Winner

Club or Organization Making a Difference

• SevaTruck
• Holy Spirit Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Neighborhood Beautification, Enhancement or Community-Building Effort

• Amy Gould
• Friends of Royal Lake (FORL)

Most "Can-Do" Public Employee

• John Berlin, Fairfax County Park Authority
• Melissa Adams, Canterbury Woods Elementary School