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LCPS release: "This is a sad time in the life of this vibrant school, and we are grateful for the years of outstanding leadership given to Sanders Corner by Mrs. Hwang since 2005."
Families of students and former students are leaving flowers, teddy bears, balloons and other sympathy items in a makeshift memorial in front of the school's message board which happens to read: "Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving".
The popular principal, a presence greeting her students each morning in the school's car line, many with hugs, and also made sure to read with each student in the school, who would return home proudly with their "I read to the Principal" button.
Hwang was scheduled to retire at the end of this school year. Before moving to Northern Virginia she had spent 24 years in the Virginia Beach area as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.
A visitation will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon on Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Chesterbrook Elementary School PTA in McLean or the Sanders Corner Elementary School PTA in Ashburn.
Tributes on the funeral home website include heartfelt postings by students, families and colleagues that knew Hwang.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reports that they are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian in the Lowes Island area. Around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, Loudoun Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Whitewater Drive and Levee Way for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
The victim, Hwang, 60, of Sterling, VA, was attempting to cross Whitewater Drive when she was struck by a westbound 2001 Dodge Durango driven by an 18-year-old male from Sterling. Hwang lost her life at the scene.
According to a preliminary investigation conducted by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit and information provided by independent witnesses, the pedestrian was not crossing at a crosswalk/intersection. The victim apparently did not see the oncoming SUV approaching from a curve before stepping into the roadway.
No charges are pending at this time.
Editor's note: I am very sad to have to report this news as I knew Kathleen personally and she was a wonderful person and fantastic educator. Both of my boys attended Sanders Corner and Kathleen started at the school the same year my youngest started the school. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and the Sanders Corner extended family.
Very sad indeed, my prayers go out to all involved
ReplyDeleteI met Kathleen last week when I was touring prospective schools in the area. I was so impressed by her enthusiasm and easy going nature. I am very sorry to hear of her untimely death and my sympathies go out to her family.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. We too are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Kathleen Hwang. Love and prayers go out to her family and the SCES family.
ReplyDeletei so sad to hear this i did not know her but its sad to this news about that lady my pryers are with her family right now on this sad day
ReplyDeleteMy heart also goes out to the young man who accidentally hit Kathleen. He has to live with this burden forever. He has to face his school, community, friends, family, everyone, with this terrible incident. My prayers are for him and for Kathleen's family.
ReplyDeleteWhen Mr. Prokopchak (sp) left Sanders, there was a worry about the new principal...Wow, that worry went away quick...both my children went through SCES...Mrs. Hwang was the best...her love, tenderness and expectations of the students was incredible...the best compliment I have ever heard was from Mr. Flynn at BRMS...he told me two years ago, as my daughter entered BRMS, that "you can always tell who the Sanders Corner kids are...polished, eager, respectful and great students."
ReplyDeleteI worked for her at Malibu Elementary School in Virginia Beach. She was a kind, fair and compassionate person. My heart goes out to her family, who I know she loved very much.
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