Improving public schools and educational programs in our community is one of BRTRC's top priorities. Our efforts focus on preparing the next generation of leaders and workers through an education partnership with Westlawn Elementary School and annual contributions to local scholarship funds.

BRTRC — Westlawn Elementary School Business Partnership

In November 2001, BRTRC entered into a school-business partnership with Westlawn Elementary, a Fairfax County public school in Falls Church, VA — a partnership that has developed into a very strong and beneficial alliance. Each year BRTRC provides money, in-kind gifts, and pro-bono services in support of a wide variety of programs at the school such as:

• Principal's Discretionary Fund, which is used to address pressing student needs, including field trip fees, clothing, prescriptions, and money for teacher/staff incentives throughout the school year.
• Wish Lists fund to buy out-of-teachers'-pockets classroom or enrichment items at the beginning of the school year.
• Welcome back gifts, such as a picnic table for the school's courtyard.
• "I Can Make a Difference" reading incentive program and "Adopt-a-Book" fairs held each spring and fall to encourage reading and ensure that needy children own books.
• Hats & Mittens drive to provide clothing to needy students.
• Annual Sixth Grade Essay Contest and end-of-year celebration.
• MentorWorks program for which BRTRC employees serve as volunteer mentors to students.
• Student visits – as part of career education for students, student council officers visit BRTRC's Fairfax offices for an introduction to the world of work by job shadowing BRTRC employees each February.
• Art book donation to the school's library in honor of students whose art is displayed in our Fairfax headquarters' hallway art galleries (selected quarterly).
• Summer School Supply Drive to provide basic school supplies for needy students and restock supply closets.
• Monthly $50 gift drawings for teachers and staff to encourage creative lessons and learning.
• Heifer International Reading Incentive Program, a new school-wide program that BRTRC supported during the 2006-2007 school year. Go to http://www.heifer.org/ to learn more about this program.
• Holiday Card Design Contest open to students from all grades.

In recognition of the many successes from this partnership, Fairfax County Public Schools selected BRTRC as Business Partner of the Year in 2003 and awarded BRTRC a Career Connection award in 2004.

Paul Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund

Every year, BRTRC contributes to the Paul Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides a scholarship in Paul's memory to a deserving student from the graduating class of Herndon High School in Herndon, VA. Paul Adams was a BRTRC employee who died unexpectedly in the summer of 1998. Paul's scholarship fund was established in 2000 by his family and friends in memory of his dedication as a volunteer, coach, and mentor in the Herndon community. A student who exemplifies hard work, determination, compassion for others, and responsibility; excels academically; and serves his or her community with various volunteer projects may be selected for the award. Additional consideration is given to those persevering through personal struggles and/or financial constraints.

Neil Edward Vaughn Memorial Scholarship Fund

This student scholarship aids regularly enrolled undergraduate students at West Virginia University (WVU) who are graduates of a Prince William County, VA high school. Recipients will have demonstrated a need for financial assistance and academic promise, as determined by appropriate officials of the WVU Office of Student Financial Aid. If awarded to a student other than an entering freshman, the student shall have earned a GPA of 3.5 or greater on a scale of 4.0 while taking 12 or more credit hours the previous semester.

Awards are given in memory of Neil Edward Vaughn, a WVU student whose untimely death occurred soon after completion of his freshman year. Neil was born in Fairfax County, VA and attended WVU in 1994. He was critically injured in a car accident and passed away in 1996. Neil's Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 by his parents and family as a perpetual memory of his love, kindness, generosity, and spirit. WVU was chosen as the recipient of the endowment because of the positive affect the staff, students, and community had on both Neil and his family.