Blast From The Past: September 2025

From The September 2000 Issue

Romanello Receives National Award

By Diane Sills

Beltsville resident Connie Romanello received the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Ralph C. Wilson award for her many years of volunteer service in recreation and parks. The award was presented at NRPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Council meeting held in the new Sports and Learning Center in Landover, MD. NRPA and Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in Prince George’s County leaders attended as did volunteers and professionals from the seven state mid-Atlantic Regional Council.

Although this seldom-given award is usually presented at the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual Congress in October, the award was presented locally so Romanello, who has Lou Gerig’s disease, could receive the award in person. Her husband, Victor, son Charles, daughters Rita Fuller and Anna Lembo, son-in-law Tony Lembo and grandchildren Lisa and Victor Lembo also attended the ceremony.

The Ralph C. Wilson Award, named for a beloved NRPA trustee, has been given to only a few individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary contribution to service, dedication, resources and time as a National Recreation and Park Association volunteer.

Prior to the award presentation, Mary Wells- Harley, Executive Director of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, spoke of Romanello’s role as a founder, charter member and board member of the Prince George’s County Park and Recreation Foundation, now known as the Prince George’s Community Foundation. “Connie’s continual work and legislative efforts have made a difference in the quality of life of the citizens of this county,” Wells Harley said.

Award presenter, Dean Tice, Executive Director of NRPA, said Romanello has been a tireless worker with invaluable contributions to the NRPA. Her dedicated volunteer service includes and precedes his 15-year term as executive director. “There is nobody more deserving of this award than Connie Romanello,” Tice said as those in attendance rose in a standing ovation.