15 Candidates Qualify For McLean Community Center Board Election

MCLEAN, VA — The McLean Community Center has certified 15 local residents — five adults and 10 teens — to run for seats on its governing board. Three adult positions and two youth positions on MCC's government board are open this year.

The adult candidates who receive the three-highest vote counts will serve three-year terms. Youth candidates, one from the McLean High School boundary area and one from the Langley High School boundary area, will serve one-year terms. Youth candidates do not have to attend these schools to serve on the board.

The 11-member volunteer board establishes goals and aligns strategies for McLean Community Center programs and facilities, including the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and The Old Firehouse Center.

McLean Community Center, located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. in McLean, is a special agency of Fairfax County government. Residents of Dranesville Small District 1A are eligible to vote during the election.

READ ALSO: McLean Community Center Seeks Candidates To Run For Governing Board

Voting for the five opening positions on the governing board will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at the McLean Day 2023 festival at Lewinsville Park.

Residents also may vote during absentee voting from Wednesday, March 15, through Wednesday, May 17. A resident may request a ballot package online, by phone at 703-744-9348, or by email at elections@mcleancenter.org. Residents also may pick up the ballot package at 1234 Ingleside Ave.

Write-in candidates must receive at least 10 votes from 10 residents in order to have their votes counted.

Here are the personal statements from the adult candidates for the MCC governing board:

• Gloria Marrero Chambers: I was born in Puerto Rico and attended college in Baltimore, where I met my husband. I became a teacher. Our kids attended The Langley School and we moved to McLean in 2013. My commitment to public service and volunteer work in the past 26 years is extensive: I’ve served as sports team parent, parish Catechism teacher, Vice President, Langley School Board. MCC is a wonderful community resource. As Board member, I’ll ensure programs/events engage our community. I’ll be a responsible steward of tax dollars and commit my decades of leadership and board experience to give back to our community.
• Matt Colsia: Hello fellow McLean residents. I’m seeking to serve on the MCC Governing Board. My family and I have enjoyed living in McLean for three years and I’d like to give back to the community through servant leadership and volunteer service. I recently retired after serving 26 years in the U.S. Army, most recently as specialty aeromedical staff officer, National Guard HQ, Arlington. My awards include the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and the Senior Aviator Badge and I’m a member of the Army Association of the United States. I also volunteer at McLean High, Longfellow Middle and Franklin Sherman schools.
• Katie Gorka: I moved to McLean in 2008 and found it a wonderful place to raise our children. Now that they are independent, I wanted to find a way to give back to the community. I always enjoyed MCC events and feel it’s a great community asset. I’ve had a long career in public policy, at think tanks and in government. After the Berlin Wall fell, I put together a Central and Eastern European film festival in NYC. As a board member, I’d ensure programming represents all members of the community and that MCC responsibly stewards funds and resources entrusted to it.
• Kathleen Cooney Porter: I moved to McLean in 1998 with my husband. Together, we raised twin girls who attended Chesterbrook Elementary and Longfellow Middle schools. Our girls went to many programs at MCC, especially The Alden Theatre. The Old Firehouse was my go-to summer camp. I cannot say enough great things about OFC. I have practiced intellectual property for over 30 years. I worked on many matters involving animation, theatre, publications and more. I have a background in the stewardship of funds as a managing partner. I believe my experience will advance the programs of MCC and increase representation of our diverse community.
• Lincom aka Amirthalingam Thillaichidambaram: I am affectionately called Lincoln or Lingam by my friends and neighbors in the McLean Hunt. Attending my grandchild’s events, I have a heightened appreciation for the arts, education and our community. As an 89-year- old, I bring a lifetime of experiences in literary, legal and management skills to the McLean Community Center Governing Board. In addition, I would enrich the Governing Board decisions with my perspectives on aging and living life fully. I commit to adding my love of education, community building and leadership to the MCC Governing Board. I humbly ask for your vote.

Here are the personal statements from the youth candidates for the MCC governing board:

Langley High School Boundary Area Candidates

• Sophia Bruno: I am Sophia Bruno, a junior at Langley, and I am running for the MCC Board. I am an active member of the Langley community, both in and out of school. I am constantly looking for ways to give back, including organizing a meal-making event to feed the homeless, volunteering as an assistant at St. Luke’s Sunday School and teaching kids at Mathnasium. I have learned that being a leader is being humble, responsible and approachable. With my experience, creativity and passion, I intend to represent my fellow McLean youths and ensure that all voices are heard.
• Cabot Fisher: I am Cabot Fisher, and I am running for the McLean Community Center Board. Teens need representation on the board, and I am confident that I can be a strong voice for the community. I am involved with different groups such as my school’s debate team, handbell choir and the Jewish student alliance, which will make me a valuable voice on the board. I will advocate for a tutoring space for students so they can get help with academics. My education and background give me the necessary tools to represent teens and all members of the community on the board.
• Charlotte Loving: The Community Center has been an important part of my life growing up in McLean and I would like to make sure others have the same positive experience. Through extra-curricular activities I have friends at McLean and Langley. I am co-president of the Langley Nice Cream Club, a member of the Principal’s Advisory Council and Co-Captain of the Langley Softball team, all of which have taught me to communicate, lead, plan and achieve goals. If re-elected, I will work to make sure the Community Center and Old Firehouse continue to be valuable and enjoyable resources for high school students.
• Duy Nguyen: I’m Mikey (Duy) Nguyen and I’m running to be an MCC Governing Board member to become more involved in my community and learn more about the people in my community. I have been involved in the community through helping coach swimmers and flag football, as well as teaching my peers at school how to play chess, my favorite game. Another one of my interests is learning about history. In AP World and AP U.S. my understanding of the world has been modified heavily by learning about past trends and events and I’m grateful to my teachers for that.
• Ethan Pwu: Since moving to McLean in 2017, the community has been nothing but welcoming. I am grateful for the opportunity to run for the Governing Board of the MCC. I have the privilege of being involved with LHS’s marching band and crew team, which have taught me discipline, teamwork and diligence. Volunteering at MCC events has been an important part of my life, as giving back to my community is a core value of mine. I believe that my positive connections with members of the community will allow me to create a worthwhile impact and help all members of our community.
• Sonya Thott: Hello MCC Governing Board! My name is Sonya Thott, a sophomore at Langley High School. I am petitioning for the MCC Governing Board Youth leader role. As a contributor to the MCC mission to make our community a better place for all, I have great ideas on how to improve our community collaboratively. I love listening to others’ perspectives and ideas with attentiveness, empathy, tenacity and diligence. I care for the community and feel that every voice should be heard in decisions made by the MCC to promote inclusion and diversity. I hope that you accept me as a candidate!

McLean High School Boundary Area Candidates

• Eleanor Ague: My name is Eleanor Ague, and I am running for the McLean Community Center Governing Board to benefit the community of McLean. I am currently a junior at McLean High School and am committed to becoming an integrated member of our society through the missions of the McLean Community Center. I am very interested in public policy and recently completed the United States Senate Page Program, which gave me the opportunity to witness democracy in action. This experience gave me great sense of enthusiasm for service, which I am excited to apply to the McLean community.
• Rafik Hanna: For the past two years, I have been in the Unruly Theatre Project, an award-winning professional improv troupe. A truly challenging experience, I believe the UTP has allowed me to develop diverse leadership, communication and confidence skills that are suitable for this position. McLean as a community has been nothing short of wonderful to me, and I believe the MCC Governing Board is an excellent opportunity to give back to this wonderful community. I care deeply about McLean, and I am honored to be a candidate for the MCC Governing Board.
• Katy Perez-Nesmith: Hi! I am Katy Perez and I am running to be a McLean Community Center board member because I love my town and want to be a voice for our youth! My family has been part of the McLean community for over 50 years, and I am excited to play an important role in its future. In my role as a board member, I plan to create opportunities to keep our city clean, happy and connected with our neighbors. I will do this through outreach and being open to advice and opinions on what we should do in our community!
• Philip Rotondo: I am Philip Rotondo, a junior at McLean High School, and I’m running for MCC Governing Board. I know how important MCC is to making McLean so vibrant – MCC gave me my first exposure to live music and theater and helped me connect with friends and neighbors. Staying active in the community is very important to me. I stay involved through my work on McLean’s Highlander Magazine and the MCC’s Youth Ambassador Program. I’d love the opportunity to serve on our community’s Governing Board to help maintain and expand MCC’s programming to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.