The Dale City Civic Association (DCCA) had reason to celebrate at its annual Community Recognition Banquet.
The organization, which recognized several community members on Saturday, has reached a special milestone — its 50th anniversary.
“[The] Dale City Civic Association was one of the very first — if not the first civic association — formed in Prince William County, and I don’t know if the people who helped found Dale City could have seen what a big, diverse, vibrant place Prince William County was going to become,” Congressman Gerry Connolly said.
Since it began in 1968, the DCCA has started a backpack initiative, hosted Easter Egg hunts and formed a partnership with the Dale City Independence Day Parade Committee.
It also played a large role in the foundation of a much-needed service.
“When we were first organized, we saw fit to have better representation as a fire department — we didn’t have [any] fire support,” said DCCA President James Hicks. “We assisted in forming the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department, which is also celebrating their 50th year.”
The celebrations didn’t end there, however.
Many Prince William County volunteers, teachers and first responders were also ackowledged at the event, which was held at VFW Post 1503 in Dale City.
“All of the awardees tonight deserve an awful lot of credit for getting involved in this community and making it a very special place,” Connolly said.
Below, are this year’s award recipients:
Dale City Volunteer Fire Department
Firefighter of the Year — Technician Donovan Stewart
EMS Provider of the Year — Technician Zach Dixon
Officer of the Year — Capt. Joshua Jensen
Cadet of the Year — Bradford Burgeson
Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue
Firefighter of the Year — Asley Amezquita
Firefighter of the Year — Technician II Neil Shoults
Career EMT Provider of the Year — Technician II Ryan Tolley
Prince William County Police Department
Police Officer of the Year — Officer William F. Van Antwerp
Prince William County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff of the Year — Deputy Robert Clubb
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Kathie Feeney Nurse of the Year — Nurse Ashley Wiest, MSN, RN
Prince William County Public Schools
Elementary School Teacher of the Year — Amanda Brown
Middle School Teacher of the Year — Damon Broiles
High School Teacher of the Year — Mike Meadows
Community Awards
Business of the Year — Sherri H. Roundtree
John D. Jenkins Youth Citizen of the Year — Ernestine B. Priebe
David G. Brickley Youth Environmental Conservation Award — Alaa Idris
Kathleen Seefeldt Community Service Award — Teresa A. Polk
Ernestine S. Jenkins Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award — Valerie L. Meale
Catherine Spellane Citizen of the Year — Philip Roberts
