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.
Alex Mai has been elected president of the Loudoun Symphony Association's Board of Directors. The symphony is gearing up for its 15th anniversary concert season, titled "Musical Jewels."
Mai was born and raised near Siena, in Tuscany, Italy, and moved to the United States in 1995. A graduate of the Conservatory of Siena, Italy, Mai was a flutist with extensive performing experience, including the prestigious Maggio
Musicale Fiorentino.
He is the general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites
Leesburg. Apart from being president of the Loudoun Symphony Association's Board of Directors, Mai is on the
Loudoun County Visitors Association Board of Directors and a member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the United Way executive committee.
A resident of Ashburn, Mai and his wife, Cristina, have three sons and are expecting a daughter next January.
For more information about Loudoun Symphony concerts and events, or to receive a season brochure, call the Loudoun Symphony at 703-771-8287 or visit www.loudounsymphony.org.
Loudoun County Special Olympics displayed its colors at the Family Fest held at Dulles Town Center Saturday, Aug. 27. Its booth was a hit with the young and young at heart stopping by to see Special Athletes Dawn Bucy, bowling; David Brock, basketball and Katherine Hoy, soccer, in the uniforms of their sport, and to view a video highlighting Special Olympic history and athletes in Virginia. Linda Bucy, Janet Hunter, Cindy Bucy, Kathleen Hoy and Gary Bucy staffed the booth.
Visitors were informed about how Loudoun County Special Olympics serves the Loudoun County intellectually disabled population and the volunteer network that supports the programs that are provided. There were many visitors who expressed a desire to learn more about how they could become volunteers to help as coaches, assistants, mentors, and volunteers in the various sports and fun raising events. Visitors also enjoyed the Special Olympics souvenirs available at the booth.
Loudoun County Special Olympics continues to reach out to the intellectually disabled individuals in Loudoun County, to give them an opportunity to participate in any of the Olympic-style sports including basketball, bowling, golf, track and field, swimming, volleyball, soccer, bocce, power lifting, equestrian, tennis, softball and cheerleading. For further information about Loudoun County Special Olympics and the requirements to be a special athlete, contact Gary Bucy, chairperson, Loudoun County Special Olympics, at 703-430-7384 or e-mail at ghbucy@netscape.net.
Air Force Cadet Ronert J. Edmonds has completed basic cadet training and earned the rank of cadet fourth class at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
The cadet is one of more than 1,300 men and women who completed the rigorous six-week orientation program. The training prepares cadets to enter their first academic year at the academy.
The cadets completed the training in two phases. Phase one consisted of military and physical preparation, which focused on the transition from civilian to military life. Phase two involved three weeks of field training on the academy grounds to participate in activities to extend their physical limitations and build self and group confidence.
The U.S. Air Force Academy curriculum offers education in the basics, engineering and social sciences, the humanities and 30 other academic majors. At graduation, the cadet receives a bachelor of science degree and a commission of second lieutenant in the Air Force.
He is the son of Jim and Fran Edmonds of Newbury Place, Sterling. Edmonds is a 2005 graduate of Potomac Falls High School.