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Francine Nelson
Francine Nelson
Tanay Gonzalez 2026 Winter Honor Roll

Tanya Gonzalez

Story of Service: Tanya Gonzalez

Motivated by her desire to welcome others, Tanya has found purpose and connection through her role volunteering as the lead Dance Instructor for the Sacred Heart Folklorico dance group at the Sacred Heart Center in Richmond, Virginia. She teaches children and youth traditional Mexican and Latin American dances and helps the students perform at area festivals and events. Her service builds community among the children and families participating in the dance group, as well as the larger Richmond region. In the fall of 2025, her dance group received an invitation to perform at a local nursing home to bring joy...
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Becky McCully

Story of Service: Becky McCully

As one of our January 2024 Serve Virginia Honor Roll honorees, Becky McCully's volunteer service in the theatre and choral programs at Patrick Henry High School (PHHS) in Ashland, Virginia, has had a profound impact on both students and the broader community. Beyond the tangible contributions to the success of productions, she has played a pivotal role in creating a vibrant and inclusive artistic environment. She has been volunteering at PHHS since 2021 but previously volunteered by mentoring theatre students when she lived in Texas. By offering her time and expertise, she has provided essential support to students, helping them...
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Notes n’ Beats Music School

Story of Service: Notes n’ Beats Music School

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree Notes n' Beats Music School is an Ashburn-based music school that teaches instruments and voice in Western and Indian styles of music. The owner, staff, students, and parents of Notes n' Beats Music School are committed to making a difference in the community by spreading the joy of music through small pop-up shows and raising funds with large-scale benefit events. They organized and performed in more than 15 pop-up shows in just a few months and raised more than $135,000 for various organizations over the last seven years.   Veena Pandiri, the school’s...
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Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries 

Story of Service: Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries 

The Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries (SAEM) is a gathering of lay and pastoral representatives from Salem, Virginia, and western Roanoke County churches and local service agencies, working to strengthen community resilience by encouraging collaboration in the areas of food, clothing, and educational resources. With the support of more than 300 volunteers, SAEM offers elementary and middle school meal programs and school gardens as well as Mrs. Dorsey's Clothes Closet. SAEM actively engages members of diverse faith congregations and encourages previous recipients of their ministries to assist with programs. SAEM is recognized as the lead ministry partner in providing food, clothes,...
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Jay Rachakonda

Story of Service: Jay Rachakonda

Jay Rachakonda has always loved building things, from robots to community partnerships. Jay fell in love with robotics and engineering from a young age, and wanted to make sure his peers had the chance to see the fun in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well. When Jay learned about the barriers that kept his friends and classmates from participating in STEM activities, including required programs costs and COVID protocols, Jay became committed to finding ways to overcome challenges and inspire others to give STEM activities a try. Jay built on his long standing passion for STEM and robotics...
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Michelle Smeltzer & Nichole Johns

Story of Service: Michelle Smeltzer & Nichole Johns

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honorees Michelle Smeltzer and Nichole Johns serve the community of Warren County, Virginia, through a variety of volunteer organizations. They are committed to working for the betterment of the community, volunteering together at community organizations such as the Warren Coalition, Concern Hotline, Dinner Together, House of Hope, and Reaching Out Now. Together, Michelle and Nichole amassed close to 1,000 hours of community service in the past year.  They also serve on the Board of Directors for Hope and Rest Temporary Shelter (HARTS), which Michelle help create when she saw the need and then worked...

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