2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26108136D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 342

Offered March 9, 2026

Commending Merissa Bartoli.

—————

Patron—Guzman

—————

WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli, a kindergarten teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School in Prince William County, received the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at the kindergarten through fifth-grade level for the 2025–2026 school year from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli has dedicated 24 years to the education of young people, working tirelessly every day to nurture her students' academic, social, and emotional growth; and

WHEREAS, the daughter of a United States Army colonel and granddaughter of two World War II veterans, Merissa Bartoli has devoted herself to the success and well-being of military-connected students and families at Piney Branch Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, in addition to leading her school's Purple Star Committee, Merissa Bartoli organizes luncheons and activities to cultivate a greater sense of community for military-connected students and families, many of whom have only lived in the area for a short time; and

WHEREAS, understanding the challenges of starting at a new school, Merissa Bartoli has developed a student ambassadors program designed to connect new students with peers who understand the challenges they are facing; and

WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli was selected to receive the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award for modeling good citizenship and community involvement and for demonstrating exceptional resourcefulness, innovation, and passion in teaching citizenship and civic responsibility; and

WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli was selected for this prestigious honor from a group of 12 nominees hailing from the different Veterans of Foreign Wars districts across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, with an unwavering commitment to the students, family, and community she serves, Merissa Bartoli has made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Merissa Bartoli hereby be commended for receiving the 2025 Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Merissa Bartoli as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her contributions to veteran families in Prince William County and the Commonwealth.