Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
Shenandoah UniversityÕs Alumni Association honored two SU graduates, Kerri Quinlan-Zhou and John Russell Jr., at the Alumni Association Awards Luncheon Saturday, Nov. 5, during the universityÕs Homecoming Weekend 2005 celebration. The association chose Quinlan-Zhou of Marion, Mass., to receive its Young Career Award and Russell Jr. of Gore, Va., to receive its Outstanding Alumni Award.
Quinlan-Zhou earned a bachelorÕs degree in music therapy in 1998 and a masterÕs degree in education from SU in 2003. She works as the director of fine arts for New Bedford Public Schools in New Bedford, Mass. She previously held positions as music educator and music therapist for Loudoun County Public Schools in Leesburg, as well as Shenandoah University.
Russell earned a masterÕs degree in music education at SU in 1989. He also holds a bachelorÕs degree in music from West Virginia University.
He has more than 30 years of experience in education at all grade levels and in all facets of music education, including instrumental, general and voice. His music programs have won awards and honors at the local, state and national levels. Russell is a composer and has published numerous works for percussion ensembles.
Russell has held teaching positions in Warren County, Clarke County and Frederick County, Va. He is the band director at James Wood Middle School in Frederick County as well as a private music instructor.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) has selected Trey Thompson, a sophomore at Potomac Falls High School, as the November Student Volunteer of the Month.
Trey is a member in good standing of the 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment Inc., a nonprofit Civil War living history organization dedicated to the preservation Civil War heritage through battle re-enactments, living history encampments, educational seminars and preservation efforts. Trey has achieved the title of chief company bugler, while holding the rank of corporal with the Longstreet Corps and has participated in more than 20 living history and re-enactment events. Trey conducts tactical bugle demonstrations and gives historical talks on the communication used on both sides during battles of the Civil War. Trey took the initiative to study Civil War history and has earned college credit for passing a college-level examination on "Civil War and Reconstruction History."
During the summer months, Trey volunteers as an assistant with the annual "Loudoun County Civil War Kids Camp," where he works daily with children, 6 to 10 years old, by providing historical talks, demonstrations and practical drills. Trey also spends some of his summer volunteering as a counselor at the regional Girl Scout Camp. He assists the younger brothers of Girl Scout campers by teaching them various skills involving social interaction.
A nonprofit organization of Trey's choice will receive a $100
contribution to be given in honor of Trey. This is the first-ever contribution of its kind by Loudoun Volunteer Services, which plans to make a monthly contribution to each Student Volunteer of the Month's nonprofit organization of choice. The Loudoun Museum will be receiving $100 in honor of Trey.
Loudoun Volunteer Services gives special recognition to students who give their time to the community in an extraordinary way. To nominate an outstanding student volunteer or group of volunteers, send a paragraph describing the student's volunteer efforts to the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board, Student Recognition Committee,
P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, fax 703-771-5841, or e-mail pivs@loudoun.gov. To learn more about Loudoun Volunteer Services visit www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm.
Lansdowne Resort Executive Chef Konrad Meier, along with Sommelier Mary Watson DeLauder, will lead a team of three Benchmark Hospitality International properties invited to prepare holiday dinner at the renowned James Beard House in New York Thursday, Dec. 29. Joining Meier will be Scott Lahey, executive chef at North Maple Inn of Basking Ridge, N.J.; Anthony Loos, executive chef and director of food and beverage at The Founders Inn of Virginia Beach, Va.
The James Beard House, located at 167 West 12th St. in Greenwich Village, was home to the Dean of American Cookery, James Beard, from 1976 until his death at 81 in 1985. Beard, who established cooking schools and published more than 20 important cookbooks, many of which are still in print, left a legacy of culinary excellence and integrity to generations of home cooks and professional chefs. His name remains synonymous with American cuisine.
Loudoun County is sending three inspectors from the Department of Building and Development to assist in the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Mississippi.
Dennis Mitchell, fire inspections operations manager; J.D. Mitchell, field supervisor for fire inspections; and Sam Harris, fire inspector, are part of a hurricane relief team from the Northern Virginia region. The team also includes two members from the City of Manassas and five from Fairfax County.
The team, which left Northern Virginia Nov. 9, will be based in Jackson, Miss., and will work in the Biloxi area for two weeks.
In recognition of their leadership in Washington-area philanthropy, Independence Air, the Ladies Board of ILH, Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schaufeld, Kitty Kearns and Leonard ÒHobieÓ Mitchel, were honored at the fourth annual National Capital Philanthropy Day Nov. 14.
Loudoun Healthcare Foundation nominated these donors for the award in celebration of the eventÕs ÒHonor Your OwnÓ program in recognition of philanthropic leadership and dedication to health care in Loudoun County.
The fourth annual National Capital Philanthropy Day also recognized five outstanding leaders in philanthropy including America Online Inc.; Fannie Mae Foundation; Dr. Marcella Brenner; Lyles Carr; and Nancy F. McConnell, CFRE.
For the second year in a row, Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) has had success with Make a Difference Day, supporting the Community Holiday Coalition with generous donations from the community.
Last year, LVS exceeded its goal of 50 baskets by collecting more than 400. This year's goal was 500 and 660 were collected. LVS selected the Holiday Coalition as its service project and asked for volunteers to help collect household items to be distributed during the holidays. Items for three suggested baskets were delivered by dozens of families, Girl Scout troops and religious and other organized groups.
This year, for the first time, LVS sponsored a Volunteer Fair in conjunction with Make a Difference Day that included 20 nonprofit organizations seeking volunteers. The intent was to give those dropping off their baskets an opportunity to learn about other volunteer opportunities.