CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in McNair, VA
Experiencing mold toxicity is a terrifying thought for most people. Although it may seem like an interesting concept for a medical drama, nobody wants to experience the effects of mold exposure firsthand.
Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet environments, such as under tiles, wood floors, and ceilings, pipes, and roofs. While several types of mold exist, some are more hazardous than others, and some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to mycotoxins, the toxins that mold naturally produces. Exposure to excessive amounts of mold, or the types of mold that trigger health problems, can lead to mold toxicity and even CIRS - Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This acute and chronic systemic inflammatory response syndrome is typically acquired after exposure to mold or other producers of biotoxins, usually from damaged water buildings.
If you believe that you're suffering from mold toxicity or mold illness, it can seem like the world is folding in on you. No matter what you do, your symptoms persist, lowering your quality of life and eliminating your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is reason to be hopeful: Proactive Wellness Centers now offers a research-backed, highly effective mold illness poisoning treatment in McNair, VA for men and women just like yourself and your children as well if they have been impacted.
Service Areas
Understanding
CIRS and Mold Toxicity
CIRS and mold illness are on the rise, and accurate diagnosis of the issue plays a major role in this trend. Thanks to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, there is a huge body of evidence that covers diagnosing and treating patients with CIRS. Dr. Lawson is one of less than 30 practitioners in the United States that are fully certified by Dr. Shoemaker for diagnosing and treating CIRS. The body of evidence by Shoemaker and many associates is the largest body of scientific evidence that is published in major medical journals. Around 80% of CIRS/Mold cases are caused by indoor air contaminated with mold toxins and other triggers. However, it's important to note that CIRS can also be caused by biotoxin producers such as cyanobacteria and a marine dinoflagellate that produces the Ciguatera toxin found in certain types of fish.
When mold or biotoxins are not processed effectively, a series of biochemical changes known as the Biotoxin Pathway occur. Genetic studies have revealed that approximately 24% of individuals have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to developing an illness related to mold or biotoxins. The remaining 76% of the population can typically eliminate these toxins from their system and avoid the development of the Biotoxin Pathway that can lead to various diseases.
CIRS and Mold Poisoning Misdiagnosis
CIRS and mold exposure symptoms overlap with many other chronic illnesses, which makes diagnosis challenging and can even lead to missed diagnosis of CIRS. Based on research from Proactive Wellness Centers, CIRS is frequently misdiagnosed. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include:
- Lupus
- Chronic Pain Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Parkinson's Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- PTSD
- More
Lyme disease, in particular, is often misdiagnosed. We have treated a number of patients whose symptoms were in line with Lyme disease. Fortunately, we were able to confirm the presence of CIRS and mold and were able to successfully help those patients using CIRS treatment in McNair, VA.
Note that many of these patients have CIRS and Lyme disease and in that case, it is necessary to treat both in order for full recovery. Treating one or the other will invariably leave the patient with debilitating symptoms and even more frustration with their medical team. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we are skilled In diagnosing and treating both.
CIRS and Mold Poisoning Symptoms
If you're reading this page, chances are you're concerned that you might have CIRS or some form of mold poisoning. You may be wondering what you have - is it CIRS, or is it something else like Lyme disease? We can't provide the answer to that question without consultation and testing at our wellness center in Virginia. However, there are common symptoms of CIRS and mold toxicity you should know.
Some of the most common symptoms of CIRS include:
- Fatigue
- Decreased Word Finding
- Headaches
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Morning Stiffness
- Tremors
- Excessive Thirst
- Tingling
- Night Sweats
- Frequent Urination
- Confusion
- Mood Swings
Proactive Wellness Centers'
Tools for Diagnosing Mold Sickness and CIRS
Identifying and confirming if a patient is being impacted by CIRS and identifying the cause and source of the biotoxin are the two main steps in diagnosing CIRS and Mold Exposure. To diagnose CIRS and Mold Exposure, the following diagnostic tools are commonly used:
To learn more about the debilitating symptoms of mold sickness and to find out whether you have CIRS or something else, contact Proactive Wellness Centers. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way.
Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in McNair, VA
Our approach to treating CIRS utilizes integrative and functional medicine, The Shoemaker Protocol along with the latest evidence-based approaches to treating mold illness and the related secondary issues that it causes. We begin by utilizing advanced diagnostics to confirm the presence of the condition and identify the specific environment causing continued exposure to biotoxins. Next, we take a stepwise approach to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate biotoxins from the body, and reverse any damage to cellular structures. Our goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery.
To do this, we not only have to identify the primary condition like CIRS or Lyme disease, but we then have to continue looking to see if you have any of the common secondary conditions like reactivated EBV, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others. Once we understand the totally of your condition, then we can implement a treatment plan tailored for you. Yes, it will leverage the Shoemaker protocol, but we have found that we have to extend the protocol to cover the secondary issues that we uncover.
The steps we follow to reach that goal include:
- VIP
- TGF Beta 1
- MMP9
- ADH
- Antigliadin
- Androgen Imbalance
- C4a
- More
- Barley
- Cottonseed
- Peanuts
- Corn
- Black Pepper
- Figs
- Rice
- Bread
- Beans
- More
Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain Syndrome are examples of illnesses that are often diagnosed without such confirmatory tests. If you are experiencing unexplained health issues or have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, it is possible that you are suffering from CIRS or a mold illness.
The good news is that we can diagnose and address this disease with a mold illness treatment program in McNair, VA tailored to your body and your symptoms. That way, we can help you regain your health as soon as possible.
Be Wary of These
5 Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home or another environment, like in an office or warehouse, it's important for you to know about the symptoms.
Unfortunately, diagnosing mold issues can be exceptionally difficult. But why? The answer can be quite frustrating.
Understanding the Difficulty of Diagnosing Mold Symptoms
Many doctors fail to recognize the impact of mycotoxins emitted by certain indoor mold species, which can lead to chemical and inflammatory reactions. While conventional medicine acknowledges that mold can cause allergies, it may overlook this crucial aspect of mold-related health issues.
This can happen for several reasons:
- Standardized treatment protocols for mold toxicity are offered mostly by Functional/Integrative physicians as the conventional physicians are not on board despite over 20 years of published research. Due to this issue, patients spend precious months/years going from doctor to doctor in the conventional channel with no answers.
- Though ERMI testing has been accepted in the integrative/functional medical community, there isn't a "gold standard" in mold testing that is universally accepted.
- Mold symptoms can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the patient.
After understanding the points above, it's no wonder that mold poisoning can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, integrative and functional holistic medicine providers and wellness centers like Proactive Wellness are flipping the proverbial script. Unlike traditional clinics, our team considers environmental factors that can affect patient health and has advanced training to provide mold poisoning treatment in McNair, VA.
Now that you understand why mold symptoms are so hard to diagnose let's take a closer look at five of the most common indicators of mold sickness.
Fatigue
Fatigue is probably the number one symptom of well over 90% of CIRS patients. The level of fatigue varies from 5 on a 10 point scale all the way to 10 on a 10 point scale. Many patients can no longer work or remain productive as in the worst cases, the fatigue is overwhelming. College students living in moldy dorms frequently have to drop out of school until the illness is treated effectively. Older adults have to retire or stop working due the fatigue. If you have overwhelming fatigue, CIRS may be a major contributor to your illness.
Breathing Problems
Exposure to mold can cause a host of respiratory problems, such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and asthma, especially in individuals with a weakened immune system. Mold can worsen asthma, irritate the nasal passages, lungs, and throat, and lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Other health issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have also been associated with mold sickness.
Sadness and Depression
Mold can cause a variety of illnesses that can show up in different ways, such as psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, concentration problems, and memory loss. It has been reported that nearly 40% of people who live in moldy homes experience depression. Researchers suggest that exposure to toxic mold and dealing with the physical symptoms of mold illness can contribute to mental health issues.
Due to this phenomenon, many mold patients are given antidepressant medications in the conventional channels.
Feeling "Pins and Needles"
Numbness, twitching, or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, feet, legs, and arms, is another symptom of mold illness. The sensation is similar to pins and needles, which are often felt when the body is held in an uncomfortable position for a long time. While this sensation can indicate serious nerve damage or disease, it can also be a symptom of mold sickness.
Digestion Problems and Disorders
When exposed to mold, individuals may experience various digestive problems. Some may lose their appetite, leading to unintentional weight loss. Others may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the influx of mold spores may trigger systemic inflammation, causing bloating and weight gain due to the digestive system's exposure to harmful mold.
Ask Us Anything
Top Tips for
Controlling Mold in Your Environment
It's not possible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores from your home or place of work. However, since mold spores need moisture to grow, the best way to prevent or get rid of growth is to reduce the moisture in your environment. If you already have mold growing there, it's important to clean it up and address the issue causing dampness. If you only clean up the mold and don't address the underlying problem, the mold is likely to return.
Here are some tips to help reduce moisture throughout your home or office:
- Use A/C or Dehumidifiers. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area of the United States.
- Ensure A/C drip pans are clean, dry, and obstruction-free.
- Thoroughly dry areas that are damp or wet within 48 hours.
- Be sure to install insulation in cold areas like your home's exterior walls and windows. Doing so will reduce condensation.
- Work with an HVAC company to check your HVAC system. Doing so can help ensure your unit is removing as much humidity as possible.
- Keep the humidity in your home below 60% whenever possible.
Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in your kitchen:
- Check for leaks near your ice makers, sinks, and anywhere else water is present.
- Make sure your exhaust fans are directing moisture outside, not into your attic.
- If you notice your appliances are causing moisture on windows and other surfaces, turn them off as soon as you're done using them.
Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in crawlspaces:
- Use a plastic covering on the dirt in your crawlspace. Doing so will prevent moisture from saturating the ground.
- Ensure that your crawlspace or basement is ventilated well.
- Check your home's gutters. Make sure they're directing water away from your property, not toward your foundation or crawlspace.
Your Top Choice for
Mold Toxicity Treatment in McNair, VA
Trying to "tough it out" through life with CIRS isn't any way to live. If you're suffering from the effects of biotoxin illness, you should know that there are solutions available to help you reclaim your health and your life. With the help of a can-do attitude, healthy living, and mold illness treatment from Proactive Wellness, there's light at the end of the dark tunnel you're trapped within. Contact our office today to get started on your first step toward recovery!
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Latest News in McNair, VA
Following legal standoff, crews extending road in McNair to previously approved housing project
David Taubehttps://www.restonnow.com/2021/11/09/following-legal-standoff-crews-extending-road-in-mcnair-to-previously-approved-housing-project/
The first step of a development vision, sidetracked for years by legal action from a neighboring business group, is moving forward.The extension of McNair Farms Road is being built near Arrowbrook Park. It’s what developers have sought to accomplish as early as 2017 to help connect a nearby wooded property originally eyed for apartments.“Stanley Martin Homes is developing a residential neighborhood on Dulles Technology Drive and has contracted with William A. Hazel Inc. to construct the extension of McNair Farms Dri...
The first step of a development vision, sidetracked for years by legal action from a neighboring business group, is moving forward.
The extension of McNair Farms Road is being built near Arrowbrook Park. It’s what developers have sought to accomplish as early as 2017 to help connect a nearby wooded property originally eyed for apartments.
“Stanley Martin Homes is developing a residential neighborhood on Dulles Technology Drive and has contracted with William A. Hazel Inc. to construct the extension of McNair Farms Drive,” the county said in an online post on Oct. 20 after people asked about the park’s pond and trail being closed off.
Stanley Martin Homes got approval in 2018 to build 172 units in stacked townhomes that could be four stories tall. It also received the county’s OK to alternatively pursue a previously approved 2017 plan that would involve building two six-story buildings for 460 units.
But a neighboring business group sued in 2018, saying its property value diminished by $3.3 million, a court document said. The business group — an office condominium association consisting of Spectrum Innovative Properties, McWhorter and Mulpuri Properties — claimed a four-lane extension of McNair Farms Drive would take approximately 12% of its property.
The lawsuit and appeals involved Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as the primary defendant, and the case eventually went to the Virginia Supreme Court, which issued an order May 20, 2021, that found the business group had no additional injuries from the 2018 approval and had no standing for the case.
The Virginia Supreme Court’s order follows Stanley Martin Homes’ purchase of the property for nearly $20.4 million in December 2020 from JLB Dulles Tech LLC — an entity linked to Dallas-based multifamily developer JLB Partners — that had the previous approval in 2017.
The road extension has temporarily closed Arrowbrook Park, where heavy equipment gained access to the site along a pond. The county and Stanley Martin Homes suggested the park work could be completed this summer or be at the point where at least trail access would be restored.
Part of the Stanley Martin Homes property hugs another access point: Dulles Technology Drive, where construction crews are also accessing the site to build the McNair Farms Drive extension.
The Stanley Martin Homes executive said the company plans to submit an application to the Virginia Department of Transportation to connect a traffic light at Centreville Road with the soon-to-be-built McNair Farms Drive extension, which requires building a bridge.
The executive with Stanley Martin Homes, a subsidiary of the Japan-based Daiwa House Group, said the company will build stacked townhomes there.
Hidden gem: Fort McNair O Club
www.army.milhttps://www.army.mil/article/124758/hidden_gem_fort_mcnair_o_club
FORT LESLEY J. MCNAIR, D.C. - When Jamey Westerman looks around the Fort McNair Officers Club, all she sees is its untapped potential."It's such a hidden place," said Westerman, who has been the club's manager since November 2013. "Fort McNair is such a small place, and when you say Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall people hear that and they think Fort Myer. I want people to come and experience what we have to offer."The historic club, which is located on the Washington Channel/Anacostia River waterfront, is th...
FORT LESLEY J. MCNAIR, D.C. - When Jamey Westerman looks around the Fort McNair Officers Club, all she sees is its untapped potential.
"It's such a hidden place," said Westerman, who has been the club's manager since November 2013. "Fort McNair is such a small place, and when you say Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall people hear that and they think Fort Myer. I want people to come and experience what we have to offer."
The historic club, which is located on the Washington Channel/Anacostia River waterfront, is the only place that offers a sit down lunch on the installation. An a la carte menu with items ranging from salads to wraps to burgers is available Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Fridays, the facility serves a southern buffet that offers fried chicken and all the fixings.
"It's not a stuffy environment," Westerman said of the club's ambiance. "People are relaxed, they are laughing and smiling, and the service is all done in a professional way."
The two story brick building is surrounded by stately trees. Four white columns mark its entrance and a balcony provides outdoor access from the second floor as well as a view of the channel, which are steps away from the structure.
"The view is just incredible. It's amazing," said Westerman.
Westerman said the dining room can be booked for special events after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Saturday. The dining room can accommodate approximately 60 people for a sit down meal and can serve 120 for standing receptions.
The McNair Room can be booked for cocktail parties, meetings, luncheons, retirements or any other special occasion. It can accommodate 25 to 50 for a sit down meal with service and approximately 75 to 100 for a standing reception.
The recently renovated Crystal Ballroom, which was named for its chandeliers, overlooks the National War College. The formal room can accommodate 180 guests for a sit down meal with service and 160 guests for a buffet meal.
"Anybody who is retired military, active duty military and DoD [Department of Defense] civilian, any person who works for the government can come here," said Westerman.
She added that the facility is a popular wedding venue and that changes have recently been made in the club's wedding and catering packages to accommodate smaller, more cost conscious ceremonies.
"Everyone wants the full experience, and it's my job now to see that they get it," said Westerman, who came to the McNair Club from Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.
Picnic packages are also available for gatherings on the club's grounds. For more information about the facility, contact Westerman at 202-484-5800 ext. 13 or via email at jamey.v.westerman.naf@mail.mil.
Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center gets funding (and stern words) from Alexandria City Council
Sponsorhttps://www.alxnow.com/2024/02/16/northern-virginia-juvenile-detention-center-gets-funding-and-stern-words-from-alexandria-city-council/
Alexandria’s City Council unanimously approved releasing $657,629 to allow the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center to continue operating, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it.Council was told that the detention center (200 S. Whiting Street) has seen a dramatic increase in usage over the last year, and that the center is pursuing a pilot program with National Capital Treatment & Recovery to introduce a substance abuse r...
Alexandria’s City Council unanimously approved releasing $657,629 to allow the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center to continue operating, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it.
Council was told that the detention center (200 S. Whiting Street) has seen a dramatic increase in usage over the last year, and that the center is pursuing a pilot program with National Capital Treatment & Recovery to introduce a substance abuse recovery program to the unit. They were also told that an unused portion of the facility was being studied for future use.
“I would say at least 50% of our children have experimented with fentanyl,” Johnitha McNair, the detention center’s executive director, told council. “It is highly addictive, so many of them come in with needs to have addiction and withdrawal and treatment services provided immediately.”
The fate of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center has been uncertain for years. Last year, City Council placed the funds into a reserve account until city staff could provide recommendations that:
Mike Mackey, director of the city’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Service unit, said that the center has reached its capacity of 46 youth over the past year. He also said that detention-eligible cases involving Alexandria youth increased 66% last year, and 100% involving Arlington youth.
“By comparison… in 2020 the average daily population was 12,” Mackey told Council. “In 2022 it was nine, and in this fiscal year the average daily population is 26. The center has seen the population go up to its capacity of 46. Today there are 38 youth 17 of whom are from Alexandria, 10 from Arlington.”
But Mayor Justin Wilson, before Tuesday’s vote to release the funds, chided Earl Conklin, chair of the detention center’s commission and Arlington’s director of court services, for not bringing concrete proposals on new programs and services at the facility to Council.
“Where’s the proposal?” Wilson asked. “If it requires capital investment, bring us something. I, for one, have been yelling asking for that for eight years, and all I hear is, ‘We have ideas. We’re talking about these ideas.’ Where’s a proposal? I mean seriously, if it requires some investment, if it requires something to drive that forward — help me help you — what are we not doing to make that happen?”
Conklin replied, “I think the primary message the board has gotten was of closing the (detention) center.”
“That’s not true,” Wilson interrupted. “Let me be crystal clear. As the one who has been the instigator on this, I have never said that this is about closing the facility. It has always been about how do we optimize the capacity that we have in the region, and whether that means consolidation in Alexandria, consolidation in other jurisdictions, repurposing part of the facility, whatever, it’s not been about closing the facility.”
The detention center is regulated by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and overseen by the Juvenile Detention Commission, which is made up of two members from Arlington, one from Falls Church, and two from Alexandria. It first opened in 1958 and houses youth with serious offenses and behavioral issues from Alexandria, Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. The center saw a 72% reduction in the number of juveniles in the facility between 2006 and 2019, prompting a reduction of beds at the facility from 70 to 46 in 2016, according to a cost-benefit analysis by the Moss Group.
The facility is also home to an unlocked shelter for up to 14 at-risk children.
Deputy City Manager Yon Lambert told council that any proposed programming changes will be presented this fall. In the meantime, Lambert said that an assessment of the detention center will be submitted to the General Assembly in October.
“If we have any budget requests, then we can process it in the fall so that the staff and the (city) manager and council can determine if its viable,” Lambert said.
Vice Mayor Amy Jackson said that the facility needs to remain open.
“We need it now more than we ever did,” Jackson said. “The numbers were decreasing. and then here we are. They’re increasing again more than they have in years.”
Veterans Often Miss Out on the Long-Term Care Benefits They Deserve
Andrew McNairhttps://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/t036-c032-s014-veterans-miss-long-term-care-benefits-they-deserve.html
Sometimes life's biggest setbacks end up being just the spark needed to inspire us to accomplish something life changing....
Sometimes life's biggest setbacks end up being just the spark needed to inspire us to accomplish something life changing.
10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
When my grandfather, a Navy veteran of three wars, required long-term care, he thought he was prepared for the expense. Over the years, he had paid $100,000 in premiums for long-term care insurance.
His careful planning was unnecessary, however. There was another way to cover the long-term care costs for him; we just didn't know about it.
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My grandfather was eligible for VA benefits, which include coverage for long-term care, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This benefit is designed to financially assist war-time veterans and their spouses with their assisted living, nursing home or care-in-the-home expenses.
When I later learned about this benefit—and that my grandfather had been eligible—I decided to do what I could to make sure others didn't miss out and, in 2012, launched the Veteran Benefit Project. Since then, the project has helped at least 1,000 veterans qualify for the benefits they deserve.
My grandfather wasn't unusual. Although what's known as the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit has been around since 1951, many veterans don't know about it, or don't think they qualify.
It's not that the vast majority of veterans are ineligible. In fact, the qualifications are fairly simple. Here are a few of them:
By meeting these criteria, the veteran and his or her spouse, or the surviving spouse if the veteran is deceased, are eligible for up to as much as $25,488 a year in benefits, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
How much they can receive varies depending on their situation. Here's how it breaks down:
These tax-free benefits are paid directly to the veteran or surviving spouse, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
What I have found over the last few years is that probably 95% of the veterans I talk with have never heard of this benefit.
That means a lot of people who could be helped by the money aren't claiming what's rightfully due to them.
Anyone with a family member who has had the need for long-term care understands that the costs can be staggering. A Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2016 pegged the national median expense at $43,539 per year for assisted living, $82,125 a year for a semi-private nursing home room and $92,378 per year for a private nursing home room.
Most people are in no position to take on that kind of expense in retirement.
That's why it's so important to get the word out to veterans. They earned this benefit. They need to take advantage of it.
Andrew McNair is the president, Investment Adviser Representative and Insurance Professional of SWAN Capital, which he founded in 2012. In the same year, he established the Veteran Benefit Project, an organization that helps veterans qualify for VA benefits. He specializes in the fields of retirement income, long-term-care, wealth preservation and has a strategic partnership with an attorney for estate planning services.
Andrew McNair and SWAN Capital are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or any other governmental agency.
Investment advisory services offered through AE Wealth Management, LLC.
Rozel Swain contributed to this article.
Herndon 1st Grader Wins 'Thank A Teacher' Art Contest
Herndon, VA Patchhttps://patch.com/virginia/herndon/herndon-1st-grader-wins-thank-teacher-art-contest
HERNDON, VA — A student at McNair Lower Elementary School in Herndon won a Thank A Teacher Art Contest sponsored by the Virginia Lottery.Sarah Saravanan, a 1st grader at the Fairfax County Public School, was honored during a video conference where she learned that her artwork would be featured on thousands of thank you notes across the state during National Teacher Appreciation Week, which begins March 3.“I’m ...
HERNDON, VA — A student at McNair Lower Elementary School in Herndon won a Thank A Teacher Art Contest sponsored by the Virginia Lottery.
Sarah Saravanan, a 1st grader at the Fairfax County Public School, was honored during a video conference where she learned that her artwork would be featured on thousands of thank you notes across the state during National Teacher Appreciation Week, which begins March 3.
“I’m really happy and surprised,” Sarah said upon learning that she had won the competition.
In her acceptance speech, Sarah said her artwork was inspired by thoughts during the pandemic of being back inside the classroom with her friends and playing with her teachers outside during recess.
One winner each was selected for the elementary, middle and high school levels from several hundred entries. The middle school winner was Karmare Brownlee, an 8th grader at Tabb Middle School in York County. The high school winner was Andrew Gibson, a senior at Gretna High School in Pittsylvania County.
Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
RELATED: Virginia Lottery Awards 3 'Thank A Teacher Art Contest' Winners
The Virginia Lottery partnered with The Supply Room and the Virginia PTA to celebrate the fourth annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest.
“In the past, we have physically been able to go to the school for a big assembly to surprise the winners,” Jennifer Mullen, director of Public Affairs and Community Relations at the Virginia Lottery, said Monday in a statement. “These last two years, we have found new ways to still make this announcement just as special for students who are learning in different environments.”
The Virginia Lottery created a video of the awards presentation honoring Sarah and the other two winners.