Lisa C. Merkel, Mayor of the Town of Herndon, Virginia, toured Hopkins House’s new Innovative Preschool Academy today.  The academy opened in the town at the start of this school year this past September.

The Mayor visited with "Young Scholars" at the academy, helping them to prepare decorations for the holiday season.  Herndon Economic Development Manager, Dennis Holste, Jr., joined the Mayor on the tour.

Merkel is serving her second term as Mayor, having previously served as the town’s Vice Mayor during the 2010-2012 Town Council term.  A mother of two young children, Merkel is a former Fairfax County Public School teacher, reading specialist, and staff developer.  

"We were honored by Mayor Merkel’s visit," said J. Glenn Hopkins, President/CEO of Hopkins House.  "Having been a former teacher, our Young Scholars instantly connected with her."

This past September, Hopkins House opened its new Innovative Preschool Academy in Herndon. This state of the art early learning academy is open from 6:30 am to 6 pm daily, and can accommodate as many as 120 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.  Enrollment is open to the public and scholarships are available.