The Kappa Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority presented its annual “Local Citizen of the Year Award” to Megan Clark, commonwealth’s attorney for Prince Edward County, “for her outstanding contributions to the community and to her church,” according to a press release.

The sorority awarded the “Distinguished Service Award” to Vera Cooke-Merritt for her outstanding contributions to the community, her church and to the sorority.

Clark, a native of Prince Edward County, is the daughter of Lorenzo and Theresa Clark. “She is an honor graduate of Prince Edward County High School and graduated from Longwood University (summa cum laude) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Spanish. She earned her juris doctorate from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. She has been a prosecutor since being admitted to practice law in Virginia and is very passionate about her career and her community.”

According to the release, Cooke-Merritt, a native of South Boston, was educated in the Halifax County Public School System. “Upon graduation, she attended Virginia State College (now university) and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education (grades 4-7). She also earned her master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Virginia State University.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is a community service organization whose motto is “Service to all Mankind.”