SJ163: Celebrating the life of Norma Bornarth.

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth, a respected citizen and outstanding educator for the Loudoun County Public Schools for 31 years, died on August 3, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth was born on September 10, 1934, in Sioux City, Iowa, and moved with her husband to Loudoun County in 1960; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth served the Loudoun County Public Schools as a second grade teacher at Sterling Elementary School; as a seventh grade language arts/social studies teacher at Sterling Middle School; and as an English, reading, special education, and English as a second language teacher at Broad Run High School; and

WHEREAS, while at Broad Run High School, Norma Bornarth was the cosponsor of the senior class, sponsor of the literary and art magazine Unbound, coordinator of the Superior Learner Program, sponsor of the Multi-Cultural Club, and chairperson of the Teacher Mentor Program; and

WHEREAS, during her distinguished career in education, Norma Bornarth was a delegate, as well as a presenter, at many Virginia state conferences for teachers of English, district and state gifted programs, the State Reading Association, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth served as a judge for the Virginia Lee-Jackson Essay Contest and the Northern Virginia Community College Writing Contest and was a coauthor of Artistry of Teaching, a Loudoun County teacher training manual; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth was also an instructor for the English department at the University of Illinois, and she taught English, speed reading, and English as a second language at Northern Virginia Community College; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Norma Bornarth received numerous awards and accolades for her many achievements as an educator and was elected to Who’s Who Among American Teachers; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth served as the chair of the Loudoun County Community Services Board, as a member of the Loudoun County Task Force on Affordable Housing, as fundraising chair for the 4-H Riding for the Handicapped and the Special Olympics of Loudoun County, and as convention chair for the Virginia Association of Retarded Citizens’ annual conference; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth also worked tirelessly for 47 years as an advocate for the mentally retarded, mentally ill, and disabled citizens of Loudoun County and was a cofounder of the Loudoun Association of Retarded Citizens (LARC), LARC School, LARC Summer Camp, Youth LARC, and the prevocational unit of Every Citizen Has Opportunities; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her advocacy work, Norma Bornarth served as a member of the board of the Broad Run Farms Civic Association and was one of the originators of the Blue Ridge Alliance for the Performing Arts, now the Sterling Playmakers; and

WHEREAS, Norma Bornarth will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 52 years, Robert Bornarth; her three sons Bruce, Dan, and Craig Bornarth and her daughter Stacey Bornarth Collins and their wonderful families, especially her nine grandchildren; her numerous other loving family members and friends; and her students and fellow teachers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine educator and outstanding Virginian, Norma Bornarth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Norma Bornarth as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.