The Jaycees Annually Select Outstanding Young Virginians Based on Exceptional Achievement

For Immediate Release January 24, 2007

Contact: Lea Anne Chapman 2007 President, Alexandria Jaycees [email protected]

Alexandria Jaycees Select Elizabeth Riddle for Top Honor

Elizabeth Macon Riddle, Ph.D., was named the 2007 George Talmadge Webber Outstanding Public Service Award winner and was one of five outstanding young City employees honored by the Alexandria Jaycees at a special reception and ceremony January 23, 2007. The Alexandria Jaycees annually honor five City employees based on exceptional achievement or contribution in their chosen field or fields, organization, or community.

According to the creed of the Jaycees, the recipients of the Community Appreciation award demonstrate that “service to humanity is the best work of life.” “The young men and women selected for these awards over the past 60 years have shown exceptional commitment to Alexandria’s citizens,” said Jaycee President Lea Anne Chapman, “and remind each of us that no problem is too difficult when handled with ingenuity, courage, and determination.”

Dr. Riddle is the instructional technology coordinator for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Alexandria City Public Schools, where she has worked for six years. Currently, Dr. Riddle is on a Leadership Committee that is creating a group called Give Back Alexandria. The mission will be to encourage Alexandria professionals to get involved with philanthropic efforts to support Alexandria youth and families. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honorary society of women educators that provides scholarships for women who want to advance their professional interest in education.

Dr. Riddle has worked tirelessly to teach ACPS teachers to make creative use of the technology in their classrooms. She is responsible for integrating technology into all areas of the curriculum. She works to bring successful methodologies and grant opportunities into the school division., particularly with the High School Technology Integration Project (including the laptop program) it was inevitable that many students were more technologically savvy than some of their teachers. Dr. Riddle has shown teachers how to create exciting, interactive lessons that make full use of 21st century technology. Thanks to Dr. Riddle, teachers have learned how to use their computers to post announcements and assignments, to stimulate on-line discussion, to access original sources from the Library of Congress, and to make lessons visually exciting. She has overseen the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the High School Technology Integration Project. In so doing, she has maximized ACPS’ investment in the program.

For these important contributions to enhanced quality of life of Alexandria's residents, Elizabeth Riddle, Ph.D, has been selected to receive the Alexandria Jaycee's 2007 George Talmadge Webber Outstanding Public Service Award.

The George Talmadge Webber Outstanding Public Service Award

Very few educators in the Alexandria public school system have been as loved and respected as George Talmadge Webber. An American government instructor with T.C. Williams High School since 1965, Mr. Webber was committed to inspiring and motivating youth regardless of race, creed, or color.

The sheer force of his personality and commitment to education had an extraordinary impact on others. He encouraged his students to make the most of their opportunities, to strive for excellence, to respect the dignity of their fellow men, to tolerate differences, to understand human frailties, and to respond to challenges. During the course of Mr. Webber’s career, he educated hundreds of students, including former President Ford’s children when the president’s family resided in Alexandria. Mr. Webber received numerous civic and teaching awards, including a Joint Resolution from the Virginia General Assembly for outstanding contributions to education. He was a past president of the Durant Civic Association and Alexandria PTA Council, a retired member of the Alexandria Mental Health Board, and a member of the NAACP, Urban League, and Alpha Phi Alpha.

The Alexandria Jaycees develop leadership skills, donate hundreds of hours of community service to the community each year, and provide fellowship for young professionals aged 21-40. The Alexandria Chapter is one of the largest in Virginia and has been serving the City of Alexandria since 1940. For more details about the Jaycees, call the Jaycees' 24-hour recorded event line at (703) 866-7171 or visit our website at www.alexjaycees.org.