Essex resident honored by The Arc Baltimore

During The Arc Baltimore’s recent Annual Meeting and Awards Reception Essex resident Tara Wrightson was recognized with the organization’s school inclusion award for exhibiting fervent support, involvement and advocacy for the students she works with.

Wrightson, a Chesapeake High School educator, is a functional academic learning support teacher. Beyond the classroom, she coaches allied soccer and softball, leads the Best Buddies program and secured a paid aide for two students to attend prom and homecoming together despite requiring one-on-one support.

Additionally, Wrightson supports students during school plays, arranging backstage assistance during rehearsals and performances.

“We applaud Tara for her unwavering dedication to ensuring all her students have a meaningful high school experience,” The Arc Baltimore CEO Kathleen McNally Durkin said. “Our vision for the world would have countless advocates like Ms. Wrightson in every school.”

Likewise, at The Arc’s awards reception earlier this month, WMAR-TV 2 Anchor Jamie Costello said “Tara’s relentless advocacy ensures her students are included in every desired activity, setting them up for success in and out of school.”

Costello, a Rosedale native, served as the event’s emcee.

Every year, The Arc’s meeting and awards reception allows the organization to commend individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to the organization and shown unwavering support for people with developmental disabilities who receive The Arc’s programs and services.

“This event provides the chance to honor and say thank you to all of those — from community partners and volunteers to staff members, people supported by The Arc, and other heroes of the organization — who have given so much of themselves to the mission of The Arc Baltimore,” Durkin added.

The cornerstone of The Arc’s mission is to support individuals with developmental disabilities in hopes of carving a path that leads to a promising future.

Throughout the two-and-a-half-hour event, The Arc presented awards for volunteer service, excellence in direct support, citizenship and public service, among others.

Along with award presentations, The Arc Baltimore elected a new board of directors and officers during the annual meeting.