About Roberta Romano

On December 8, 2001, Roberta Romano lost her life to cancer. In her memory, the Kids Care Club of Mantua Elementary School and the community dedicated the 2nd annual Raccoon Run in her memory benefiting Life with Cancer.

Roberta Romano was a friend, mother, neighbor and teacher. She taught in Fairfax County Public Schools for over 19 years; 15 of which were at Mantua teaching 5th grade.

She worked with children her entire life, by teaching and working at camps. She loved teaching and her compassion spread to her students. She was very creative, always painting, drawing, writing, and needlepointing. Her creativity spread to her student and her only daughter, Alexa. She encouraged her daughter and her students to pursue the things in life they enjoy.

Alexa has been involved in the Raccoon Run in honor of her mother for the last ten years. Celebrated on Mother's Day weekend each year, the race is very special. It is a way to celebrate her mother's life by bringing the school, community and neighborhood together for a wonderful cause. Roberta would be honored to know that children are still working together because of her. She enjoyed life to the fullest and would have enjoyed this celebration as much as we do each year.

The impact Roberta had on her students is one of the reasons Alexa plans on becoming a teacher once she graduates from George Mason this spring. The Raccoon Run has been a 10 year celebration of her mother's life and has brought the community together to help those living with cancer. This year Alexa is campaigning for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year Campaign, trying to raise in just 10 weeks, $100,000 for cancer research. She is doing this in memory of her mother. Please go to Alexa's website, www.loveandmemories.org, read her touching story and help her reach her goal!