<lst>Larry Ward is a 1976 T.C. Williams graduate, married and father of Nina, 18, Vanessa, 15, and Angela, 9. In addition to obtaining his doctorate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University and more than 25 years of experience in human services, Ward is publisher of Human Services Connection, a new monthly magazine devoted to the human services industry in Cambridge, Mass. <lst>W. Scott Stoner was elected president of The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association at the Association's annual meeting in Calgary, Alberta on Feb. 22. The Grand Lodges of all 50 states and Puerto Rico are members of the Memorial Association, a fraternity of nearly 2 million Masons. President Stoner presides over a 22-member Board of Directors from across the nation. He has been a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 1991. In one of his first official public appearances as president he was a featured guest speaker, along with the Mayor of Alexandria, at a wreath laying ceremony held at the Masonic Memorial on Feb. 27 honoring the 273rd birthday of George Washington. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, located in Alexandria, is the headquarters of the Memorial Association.
<lst>The National Symphony Orchestra hosted the 28th annual NSO Youth Orchestra Day on Feb. 22. This event featured 70 of the greater Washington D.C. area's school students, performing side-by-side with National Symphony Orchestra musicians. The Alexandria participants who were involved in the NSO Youth Orchestra Day are: Steven Bobbitt, horn; Schuyler Slack, cello; Stephen Westerfield, cello; Sarah Klein, violin II; Justin Wilkes, violin I; Edward Curenton, horn; Charlaine Prescott, cello.
The Alexandria Harmonizers, the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, has elected two Alexandria residents to official positions for 2005. Chris Buechler has been elected Secretary and Carroll Kinsey has been elected Board Member at Large. The Harmonizers meet every Tuesday evening at the Durant Recreation Center, 1605 Cameron St.
Margaret O’Meara, a home schooled second-grader of Alexandria, has won the Institute for Global Environment Strategies Art Contest for grades second-fourth, for her picture “Volcanologists Can Study Volcanoes Up Close — Or from a Distance!” This is the first time a second-grader has won the contest. The theme, “Picture Me! What Kind of Earth Scientist Would I Be?” challenged students to draw themselves as Earth explorers, showing what they would study and what kinds of tools they would use. O’Meara’s artwork appeared on the 2004 IGES holiday card, and also received a $250 savings bond.
Whitt Larkin, a senior at Episcopal High School, was honored by the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club as the Club’s Athlete for November. Whitt was team captain and a four-year starter for the Episcopal varsity soccer team. He completed his four-year varsity career with 17 goals, 17 assists, and numerous conference and state awards.
Jennifer Reid Lewis of Alexandria has made the University of Wyoming’s academic Dean and Freshman Honor Roll for the 2004 fall semester.
Michelle Sledge, a Spanish teacher in the Foreign Language Department at Hayfield Secondary School, has completed her master’s degree.
Virginia Jaycees Announce 2005 Board of Directors
The Virginia Jaycees, a leadership training organization for young adults, recently announced the names of its 2005 Board of Directors. Beth Fujishige has been elected 66th president and chief executive officer. An installation ceremony and year-end awards presentation was held at the Virginia Jaycees state convention on Jan. 29 at the Williamsburg Hospitality House in Williamsburg.
Formerly of Anaheim, California and current resident of Alexandria, Virginia, Fujishige, is the first Asian American to hold the organization's top volunteer leadership post. Her record of service on the board includes vice president of membership (2004) and community development vice president (2002). She also served with distinction as local president of the Alexandria Jaycees (2001). Currently, Fujishige is employed as Director of Client and Community Relations at McLaughlin Investments, a full-service investment firm in Alexandria. She holds a B.A. degree from UCLA (1987) and an M.B.A from Claremont University (1994).
<lst>Thirty works by Alexandria sculptor Pamela Soldwedel are now on display around her 7-foot-tall sculpture, Ishtar, in the Atrium at International Gateway, located at 8100 Boone Blvd., Vienna. The major retrospective exhibition is presented by Gosnell Properties Inc. The exhibition will run until April 28. The exhibit can be viewed at the Atrium 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, and other times by special arrangement.
Christian L’Heureux was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony held at the Bush Hill Presbyterian Church, Alexandria. He joins his brothers, Martin and Rob, in receiving this honor, the highest rank awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. All three brothers are currently members of Venture Crew 301, sponsored by Splash Dive Shop, Alexandria.
Father Bob L’Heureux serves as Advisor to the crew which focuses on scuba diving activities for high school and college-age young men and women.
Christian first joined Cub Scout Pack 602 at Alexandria Country Day School and later bridged over to Troop 1507 at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School and is currently a freshman at Hampden-Sydney College, Farmville, Va. Christian’s Eagle Scout project involved planning, organizing and executing the relocation of a wooden foot bridge across a creek in the wildlife refuge on Fort Belvoir.
Martin L’Heureux is a graduate of Paul VI High School, Fairfax, and is currently a student at Landmark College, Vermont.
Rob L’Heureux is a graduate of Gonzaga College High School, Washington D.C., and is currently studying at Notre Dame University, Indiana.
All three Eagle Scouts are graduates of St. Mary’s School, Alexandria.
lst>Frederica Dunn, of Alexandria, will be attending the 30th Reunion of journalists that covered the Vietnam war from April 27-May 2. She spent 3 years in Vietnam with the International Voluntary Services and also wrote many free lance articles. Frederica is a member of the Alexandria Sister Cities committee and the National Press club in Washington, DC. She is employed with the Department of Homeland Security.