Wakefield, Washington-Lee Groups Win Arlington Human Rights Awards

Several Arlingtonians have been selected for the 13th Annual James B. Hunter Human Rights Award, county officials announced Tuesday.

Wakefield High School’s Project Upstanders, Washington-Lee High School’s Best Buddies Club, Sara Heisey and John "Kip" Laramie are this year's winners.

The James B. Hunter Human Rights Awards, named after a former Arlington County Board member, are given to those who dedicate themselves to human services, according to a news release from the county's Human Rights Commission.

More on the winners from the Arlington Human Rights Commission: 

The winners include the group Project Upstanders, which is a club at Wakefield High that was organized for students to help combat bullying.

Washington-Lee High School’s Best Buddies Club was recognized for the club's dedication to forming bonds with students who have physical or intellectual disabilities. The Washington-Lee chapter was also paid a visit by a "Glee" star earlier this year after reaching its fundraising goals.

A 2012 graduate of Wakefield High School, Sara Heisey is receiving the award for helping to “fight for the rights of gender and sexual minorities."

And John “Kip” Laramie, who owned the now-defunct Santa Fe Café in Rosslyn since 1988, was recognized for working “tirelessly to increase services for the homeless.” He has served as head of the Homeless Services Committee of the Rosslyn Business Improvement District for several years.

The awards will be distributed at a public reception in the Arlington County Board Room from 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 13 at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.