Volunteer receives award for her work in Prince George’s County

Veronica Robinson, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – A local woman is being recognized for her work in education.

Cecilia Quinones says she volunteers in Prince George’s County because she “just loves it, seeing the smile on the kids’ faces when they see a parent coming in and volunteering and the teacher gets more time to actually teach.”

She has two daughters that attend Tulip Grove Elementary in Bowie, where she helps out four days a week.

Quinones was awarded Maryland’s Golden Apple Award for Prince George’s County for her work at the school. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot presented the award.

Principal Brian Baudoin says Quinones is the school’s “quiet angel.”

“Not only is she there with a generous spirit, doing whatever needs to be done,” he says.

But since the school has had an influx of Latino students — many of their parents don’t speak English — Quinones translates for them.

“She helps our families gain access to all that the school system has to offer,” Baudoin says.

Quinones says this is especially important because the school doesn’t have anyone else who speaks Spanish.

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