Congratulations to Campagna Kids Site Director, India Traynham, on earning a 2023 Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time Staff Award! India is being recognized for her demonstration of exceptional leadership in the category of Active and Engaged Learning according to VPOST quality standards, and will be honored during the award ceremony at VPOST’s Annual Conference later this month. We are so proud to celebrate such extraordinary talent and commitment among Campagna Center staff.
India had this to say about her 17-year legacy at Campagna Center:
“My work with the Campagna Center has provided me with the opportunity to pour into the youth of Alexandria for 17 years. Nothing compares to seeing a former CK Kid, greeting you with the same smile that they had as a child, and that remembers you for all the right reasons! Providing countless youth with a safe space for them to learn and play while building character that will grow with them to adulthood, is the most rewarding. Even better- when they decided to join Campagna Kids as a staff to share the impact you’ve made on them, with the next generation.” – Campagna Center Site Director, India Traynham
Senior Director of Out-of-School Time Programs, Randy Gore, nominated India for this prestigious award, and added these details about India’s outstanding contribution to Campagna Center and the youth of Alexandria:
“In each role she has held in our organization, it is evident that she has a heart for youth and families in our city. In addition to designing safe spaces and quality programing for children and youth, she is to be commended for the work she has done to grow S.T.E.M. opportunities across our OST programs. As our team worked to rebuild enrichment programing during the height of the pandemic, with limited resources, she consented to serve as Chair of the OST S.T.E.M. committee. Her creative ideas and work as Chair reach up to 1000 children annually. Her imprint on our programing can be seen in coordinating trainings and inventory on 3D printers and Robotics equipment, searching out new technology for our S.T.E.M. labs, overseeing S.T.E.M. camp curriculum development, and in serving as a guiding voice to new staff members that have never led a S.T.E.M. activity. Her work as Chair of this committee has ensured that our S.T.E.M. learning component is engaging and doable in the OST setting. I would also like to recognize her work in partnering with other youth serving organizations to implement the Alexandria Youth Arts Festival. She ensured that TCC had a seat at the table in this city-wide initiative.” – Senior Director of Out-of-School Time Programs, Randy Gore
