The Diane D. Anderson Award
The Award
The Diane D. Anderson Award was created upon Mrs. Anderson's retirement in 2010 after 37 years of service to Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The purpose of the Diane D. Anderson Award is to acknowledge students who have shown integrity, a strong work ethic, and exemplary school/school system service while participating in student activities.
The amount of the scholarship accompanying this award is currently: $2000
The Legacy
After graduating from Longwood College, Mrs. A began her teaching career in Danville, Virginia, before moving back to Virginia Beach to teach at Kempsville Junior High School where she also coached field hockey and gymnastics. In 1977, she joined the central administration Student Activities Office and became the Coordinator of Student Leadership. While in this position, she served as an adviser to City-Wide SCA, implemented the Elementary Leadership Workshop held every fall, and assisted in developing the Beach District Sportsmanship Award.
In 1988, she was named National Workshop Director of the Year. Moreover, she is a recipient of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Regional Award of Merit, and in 1998 was named a VHSL Torch of Honor winner. In addition to serving as the director of the Virginia Beach Leadership Workshops, Mrs. A was a member of the inaugural VHSL Student Leaders Conference Planning Committee and was a co-chairman of the 2002 NASC National Student Leaders Conference.
From 1967 to 2010, Mrs. A spent every summer "workin' on a workshop" – it's only fitting that this award is awarded to a student leader who shows the same dedication, work ethic, and integrity that its namesake embodies.
Diane D. Anderson Award Recipients
| Year | Recipient | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sophia Shupert | Cox |
| 2024 | Ralitsa Hovanessian | Ocean Lakes |
| 2023 | Nasmi Gedamu | Landstown |
| 2022 | Ryan Sauer | Bayside |
| 2021 | Juliana "Julie" Conza | Kellam |
| 2020 | Chase Brophy | Kempsville |
| 2020 | Reed Williams | Kellam |
| 2019 | Andrea "Andie" Pember | First Colonial |
| 2019 | Isabella Virtucio | Landstown |
| 2018 | Amariah Gray | Kempsville |
| 2017 | Delanie Peacott | Salem |
| 2016 | Shaina Moondra | Bayside |
| 2015 | Michael Horth | Ocean Lakes |
| 2015 | Natalie Napolitano | First Colonial |
| 2014 | Aaron Banasiewicz | Princess Anne |
| 2013 | Hailey Sabol | Salem |
| 2012 | Andrew Stone | Green Run |
| 2011 | Shenel Lambino | Cox |
| 2011 | Alexander "Alex" Steckroth | Ocean Lakes |
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