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Commending Patrick Henry High School.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 9, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 12, 2026
WHEREAS, Patrick Henry High School in Ashland received the 2025–2026 Purple Star Designation as one of the best schools in Virginia for students and families connected to the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Henry High School was selected for this award by the Virginia Department of Education's Military Student Support Process Action Team and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity of Military Children in recognition of its military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Henry High School is part of Hanover County Public Schools, which enrolls approximately 260 military-connected students;
the superintendent of the school district, Dr. Lisa Pennycuff, and the members of the Hanover County School Board take great pride in supporting those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the nation; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Henry High School's ongoing efforts to meet the needs of military families truly reflects the heart of the community and demonstrates its shared commitment to honor military heroes and their families; and
WHEREAS, Chris Martinez, the principal of Patrick Henry High School, credits the innovative PHamily Advisory program with helping the school achieve this distinguished status; the program is designed to support students' academic and social needs and provides students with an opportunity to connect with faculty, staff, and their peers; and
WHEREAS, through PHamily Advisory, Patrick Henry High School students and staff meet in small groups once a month to discuss a variety of issues and to build relationships, as well as strengthen existing ones; and
WHEREAS, one of the biggest challenges encountered by children of a military family is coming into a new school, often in the middle of the year, and having to make new friends and navigate a new school culture; PHamily Advisory is a ready-made link that quickly provides the new military family student with instant teacher contact and a potential group of friends during their first days of attendance; and
WHEREAS, the Patrick Henry Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program is embedded into the school's culture, plays a vital role in supporting military-connected students, and demonstrates the school's overall commitment to excellence; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Henry High School was previously named as a Purple Star Designation school in 2019 and in 2022; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Patrick Henry High School on the occasion of its selection as a 2025–2026 Purple Star Designation school; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Patrick Henry High School as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the unwavering commitment of its students, teachers, and staff to supporting military-connected students and their families.