New Group Named 'Best of Reston'

and the on Thursday announced this year's honorees for the "Best of Reston" Awards.

The awards have been given out for 20 years to members of Reston's community who have made an impact in community service, excellence, and community involvement. Winners will honored at a gala at the on April 28.

"Once again, this is an amazing reflection of if the community," said Reston Interfaith CEO Kerrie Wilson. "For us, this is a particulalry compelling group. It builds on the history of Reston, and what we are building toward in the future."

The honorees:

Corporate Business Leader - Boston Properties

The developer of 2.5 million square feet of office and retail in and around was chosen because its corporate philosophy also reflects to goal of finding meaningful ways to contribute to the social fabric of the community it develops, the Best of Reston committee says.

Boston Properties employees serve on local civic and non profit boards such as Reston Interfaith, the Greater Reston Arts Center and the Initiative for Public Art Reston. The company has created partnerships to bring public art to Reston spaces.

Small Business Leader - Maude

Maude Hair Salon in downtown Herndon was chosen because it prides itself not only on beauty services, but for mentoring employees and demonstrating how a small businesses can give back to the community.

Maude supports several charities, including its "No Mother Left Behind" campaign that supports single mothers in need; a no-kill animal shelter; and numerous area nonprofits.

Civic Community Organization - Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Foundation

The organization, founded in Reston in 1999, was chosen because of its commitment to education and youth. It has awarded 130 scholarships totalling $135,000 to college students.

Individual Community Member- Sandy Amato

Sandy Amato was one of the founders, through the nonprofit Giving Circle of HOPE, of Helping Hungry Children. Helping Hungry Children provides weekend meals to students in need. During the 2009-10 school year, the group served more than 2,510 meals.

Amato has also been a longtime volunteer in the community with groups such as Reston Interfaith, the American Cancer Society and Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United).

Individual Community Member - Beverly Cosham

Longtime Reston resident Beverly Cosham has had an extensive impact on Reston's arts scene. She is a founding member of the Reston Chorale, Reston Community Players and the Lorton Arts Foundation. She is a former president of the Reston Community Orchestra and served nine years on the Board of Governors of the including three years as its chair.

Cosham, an acclaimed vocalist, annually sings God Bless America at the Reston Multicultural Festival.

Individual Community Member - Patricia Nicoson

Nicoson, president of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association, has been working for 15 years to implement the Metro extension through Reston to Dulles International Airport.

She also is the chair of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force.

Individual member - Lindsay Trout

Lindsay Trout, an assistant principal atwas chosen for her dedication to Reston's students as a mentor and administrator.

Trout is a 1991 graduate of South Lakes and has served a special education teacher, coach and administrator there since 1995. Under Trout's leadership, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised to help school families in need. She has organized a bone marrow drive for an ill former student, several environmental cleanup projects, a prom for students with special needs, and projects for Habitat for Humanity.