Deanna Leone of Edgewater was named AVID Volunteer of the Year and will be honored along with others at the 2011 Mentoring Awards  during a celebration tomorrow at the Roger “Pip” Moyer Recreation Center at Truxton Park at 6pm.

According to Anne Arundel County Public Schools, AVID stands for advancement via individual determination.  AVID classes are “designed to provide support to students who are in the ‘academic’ middle. The purpose of AVID is to move students from average level classes to more rigorous college-preparatory coursework while providing academic support in this elective.”

Leone, who is also works as a nurse at Anne Arundel Medical Center, spends at least six hours a week providing AVID students with personalized instruction and motivation at Central Middle School.  She has been a volunteer for more than five years.

Fay Mauro, Executive Director at the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County, said that Leone was chosen because she has been the go-to person for AVID, as well as the organizer of an annual AVID Celebration for more than 350 people.

Leone's husband, Ray Leone, said that "she is caring, willing to spend individual time, and genuinely cares that they do well."

Along with Leone, other area mentors will be honored at the event for various awards.  Also, the Roger “Pip” Moyer “Lifetime Mentor” Award will be given.

Peer Mentor awards will be given to Catherine Storch, at Severna Park Middle School and to Bailey Falk and Victoria Preston, at both South River High School and Central Middle School.

Mentor of the Year Awards will be given to Michael Elliott, at Corkran Middle School in Glen Burnie, and Midshipman First Class Natalie Logan, USNA, who represents the Benjamin Banneker Society of the USNA and Midshipmen Black Studies Club.

Community-based Program Awards will be given to Gems & Jewels, at Bates Middle School in Annapolis, and to the YES Program at Annapolis High School.

Faith-based Program Awards will be given to Oakey’s Friends Club and to Christ Lutheran Church and Oakwood Elementary in Glen Burnie.

Business-based Program Awards will be given to the Engineering Design & Development Project and the Severna Park High School Business Advisory Board.

School-based Program Awards will be given to the Monarchs at Annapolis High School and Annapolis Middle School.

To find out more about the event, or for opportunities to volunteer, visit: www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org