Bester Parent Honored with Comcast Volunteer Award

HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 7, 2008) – Kristy Sollenberger has been chosen as a Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award winner for her volunteer work at Bester Elementary School and the Judy Center located at Bester. Comcast and the Maryland State Department of Education are coordinating a gala event, the first of its kind in the nation, for Thursday, April 17, 2008, at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. Ms. Sollenberger and other parent volunteers honored by Comcast will be saluted at a special reception and program that evening.

Kathy Stiles, principal at Bester Elementary for the past three years before being named principal at the new Rockland Woods Elementary School, said the honor is well deserved. “Kristy did everything a parent volunteer could do, from working one on one with students to coordinating events and activities through the PTA. She is a wonderful asset to Bester.”

Current Bester principal Kristi Bachtell echoed those sentiments. “My job is made easier by volunteers like Kristy. Her time and energy help make Bester students and staff the best we can be.”

Ms. Sollenberger, who was chosen from a list of nominated parent volunteers in Washington County, is also eligible to be one of five semifinalists for the top statewide parent award that will be a surprise announcement at the event.