A new school is carrying the name of a former education supporter.
John D. Jenkins Elementary School has opened in the Occoquan district.
It was named after John Jenkins, who served on the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) for more than 36 years.
The county’s longest serving Supervisor, passed away earlier this year.
Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the school and a dedication ceremony for the Ernestine Jenkins Story Room on Wednesday evening.
BOCS Chairman Corey Stewart explained that the building isn’t being named after John Jenkins because of his role as the Neabsco District representative or the years he served.
“We are naming this building after the great John Jenkins because of his years of love and hard work on behalf of the constituents of his district,” Stewart said.
John and his wife, Ernestine Jenkins, constantly showed support for their community, according to Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Superintendent Steve Walts.
This support extended to the school district.
“I never, in my 21 years of being a school Superintendent, remember someone on a Board of Supervisors being at so many school events,” Walts said.
The former Neabsco District representative also worked with other leaders to solve issues.
“Governors, Senators, community leaders [sought] his guidance and support, but no one benefited more from John Jenkins’ support than the Prince William County Public Schools,” School Board Chairman Babur Lateef said. “This building is a shining example of that support.”
John Jenkins, according to Ernestine Jenkins, understood that education was linked to a person’s success.
She asked attendees to continue his legacy by supporting local students and teachers.
“We know that Supervisor Jenkins would be proud to see many future leaders get their start right here at the school that bears his name,” Ernestine Jenkins said.
