Porto Charities, a nonprofit that supports persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced the winners of its first annual Advocacy Awards June 7. Beth Cucinotta, Jack Masri, Holy Spirit Catholic School and Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Parish will be honored during an event June 24 that will include Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and a reception.
Cucinotta, director of learning and resource at St. Louis School in Alexandria, won the 2023 St. Margaret Castello Award for Outstanding Educator. Masri, a graduating senior at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, won the 2023 St. Timothy Award for Outstanding Peer Mentor. Holy Spirit Catholic School in Annandale will be awarded the 2023 St. John Paul the Great Award for Outstanding Parish/School award and Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Parish in Vienna will be awarded the 2023 Bishop Michael Burbidge Award for Outstanding Employer.
Porto Charities will also honor the four diocesan high schools — Bishop O’Connell in Arlington, Bishop Ireton in Alexandria, Saint John Paul the Great in Potomac Shores and St. Paul VI in Chantilly — with the Porto Charities Inclusion Catalyst Award for their leadership in inclusive education and meaningful employment.
“We couldn’t have been more pleased this first year with not only the number of nominations received, but also the educational quality, dedication, and commitment that exists in our Catholic Schools and parishes to welcome all of God’s children,” said Larry Rzepka, executive director of Porto Charities.
