Board recognizes Colgan and Marcella choral programs and honors arts supervisor with VMEA award

At its Feb. 5 meeting the Prince William County School Board used its "Thriving Futures Focus" segment to recognize two choral programs and to honor Anne Marie Bellino for a statewide award from the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA).

Chairman Lateef introduced the honorees and said few groups receive invitations to perform at the VMEA state conference. Carrie Staley, choral director at Charles J. Colgan Senior High School, told the board it "was an honor to represent Prince William County Schools at the state level" and described a fully memorized, 30‑minute performance by a 38‑member chamber ensemble that emphasized "the power of words" and community collaboration with neighboring programs.

Philip Kierstead, choral director at Marcella Middle School, said performing at the VMEA conference "has been on my bucket list since I started teaching" and praised his students for their commitment and the relationships formed through music.

Supervisor of Arts Anne Marie Bellino was also recognized after board member Justin Wilk introduced her statewide award. The board noted Bellino’s roles with the National Association for Music Education, the Virginia Music Educators Association and state arts education initiatives; Bellino said it was an "honor to represent Prince William County Public Schools."

Why it matters: the recognition highlights student achievement and district arts leadership; board members and the superintendent praised music education as a core part of a well‑rounded education.

Ending: the board invited honorees to come forward for a group photo and thanked families and staff for supporting the programs.