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HR342 • 2026

Commending Merissa Bartoli.

Commending Merissa Bartoli.

Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Guzman
Last action
2026-04-24
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included details that were not directly supported by the plain language summaries but were present in the official bill text. These have been removed or modified for accuracy.

Commending Merissa Bartoli

This bill commends Merissa Bartoli, a kindergarten teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School, for receiving the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia.

What This Bill Does

  • Commends Merissa Bartoli for her work as a teacher and dedication to military-connected students and families.
  • Honors her with the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award.
  • Requests that a copy of this commendation be given to Merissa Bartoli.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Merissa Bartoli, a kindergarten teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School in Prince William County.

Terms To Know

Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award
An award given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia to teachers who show exceptional citizenship and community involvement.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill does not provide any financial support or changes in laws, it is purely a commendation.
  • The effects are limited to recognizing Merissa Bartoli's achievements.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-24 House

    Bill text as passed House (HR342ER)

  2. 2026-03-10 House

    Engrossed by House

  3. 2026-03-10 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  4. 2026-03-09 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26108136D

Official Summary Text

Commending Merissa Bartoli.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Merissa Bartoli.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli, a kindergarten teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School in Prince William County, received the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at the kindergarten through fifth-grade level for the 2025–2026 school year from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli has dedicated 24 years to the education of young people, working tirelessly every day to nurture her students' academic, social, and emotional growth; and
WHEREAS, the daughter of a United States Army colonel and granddaughter of two World War II veterans, Merissa Bartoli has devoted herself to the success and well-being of military-connected students and families at Piney Branch Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, in addition to leading her school's Purple Star Committee, Merissa Bartoli organizes luncheons and activities to cultivate a greater sense of community for military-connected students and families, many of whom have only lived in the area for a short time; and
WHEREAS, understanding the challenges of starting at a new school, Merissa Bartoli has developed a student ambassadors program designed to connect new students with peers who understand the challenges they are facing; and
WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli was selected to receive the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award for modeling good citizenship and community involvement and for demonstrating exceptional resourcefulness, innovation, and passion in teaching citizenship and civic responsibility; and
WHEREAS, Merissa Bartoli was selected for this prestigious honor from a group of 12 nominees hailing from the different Veterans of Foreign Wars districts across the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, with an unwavering commitment to the students, family, and community she serves, Merissa Bartoli has made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Merissa Bartoli hereby be commended for receiving the 2025 Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Merissa Bartoli as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her contributions to veteran families in Prince William County and the Commonwealth.