From Scholarships to Service: A Month of Impact in FCPS
Dear Educate Fairfax Supporter:
As we welcome the close of another school year, I am continually inspired by the strength and spirit of our Fairfax County Public Schools community. May has been a time of celebration, reflection and connection—from honoring the incredible achievements of the Class of 2026 at our Beyond the Tassel event, where more than $90,000 in scholarships will help students pursue their dreams, to bringing alumni together for an evening of laughter and shared memories at our Trivia Night.
This month also invites us to take a deeper look into the life and legacy of Irene Rosenbaum, whose 17 years of service to FCPS students continue to inspire us. Her unwavering commitment to meeting students’ needs reminds us of the profound difference one individual—and one caring community—can make.
Together, these moments reflect the heart of our mission: investing in students, uplifting their potential and ensuring every FCPS student has a path to success.
We encourage you to follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter), where we share the stories of our grant recipients, along with other inspiring news about what's happening to improve educational outcomes across our school division.
Warm wishes,
Dr. Lynette Henry
Executive Director
Educate Fairfax
Celebrating the Class of 2026 at Beyond the Tassel
Educate Fairfax was proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 at this year’s Beyond the Tassel event, held at John R. Lewis High School.
The evening brought together students, families, and community members to honor the achievements of graduating seniors and the bright futures ahead of them. It was a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together to invest in its students.
This year, we awarded 47 scholarships totaling $91,500 to students representing 18 Fairfax County Public Schools high schools. Each scholarship recognized not only academic achievement, but also perseverance, resilience, and the potential to make a meaningful impact.
They were made possible by the generosity of our community and partners. Scholarships awarded included:
Imagine! Believe! Achieve! Scholarship
Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators Scholarship
Irene Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship
ITServe STEM College Scholarship
Lewis Leadership Program Scholarship
Juliana Kai Russell Memorial Scholarship
Love Like Adam Scholarship
REACH IN US Scholarship
Think Big Expect More Scholarship
These scholarships will support students as they take their next steps toward college, careers, and service, helping ensure that every FCPS student has a path to success.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this celebration possible and for the continued support of our students as they begin their next chapter. Each recipient represents the promise of the future, and we are honored to be part of their journey.
Her Legacy in Action: Honoring Irene Rosenbaum
For 17 years, Irene Rosenbaum dedicated herself to supporting students at Crestwood Elementary School, showing up week after week to tutor, mentor and care for children in her community.
Whether she was helping with reading, sewing book bags, preparing school supplies or simply offering a steady and compassionate presence, Irene believed in a simple philosophy: see a need, meet a need.
Even after a life-changing stroke led to her early retirement, Irene continued her commitment to students, ultimately impacting more than 500 children. Her kindness extended beyond the classroom, creating a sense of belonging and support for countless families.
Following her passing, Irene’s family partnered with Educate Fairfax to ensure her legacy would continue. Through the generosity of the community, they established the Irene Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship and helped create a dedicated space in her honor at Crestwood Elementary.
The scholarship provides $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years, to support a graduating senior from John R. Lewis High School who demonstrates resilience, compassion and a commitment to serving others.
This year’s recipient, Thu (Tina) Vo, embodies those qualities. After moving to the United States from Vietnam, Thu has overcome language and cultural barriers while remaining committed to helping others. She plans to pursue a career in nursing, inspired by a desire to care for those in need.
On April 27, the Crestwood community gathered to celebrate Irene’s life and officially dedicate the memorial space, a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make.
At Educate Fairfax, we are proud to help carry forward Irene’s legacy by connecting community generosity with student success. Together, we can continue to invest in students and ensure every Fairfax County Public School student has a path to success.
Read the full story on our blog
If you want to uplift students in our public schools and make a lasting impact in our community, make a donation to Educate Fairfax today.
FCPS Alumni Bring the Energy at Trivia Night
Our FCPS Alumni Trivia Throwback Showdown on May 6 was a huge success!
With more than 50 people in the room, the energy was high, the competition was friendly, and the memories came rushing back. It was so much fun to see alumni come together, reconnect, and celebrate their shared Fairfax County Public Schools experience.
We heard so much positive feedback and are already excited for the next one!
A big shoutout to our incredible emcee, Eric Kinne, who truly rocked the mic and kept the night moving with humor and energy.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening so special. This is what community looks like.
Click the picture to watch the video, or click here.
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