To have a People Note published in the Gazette-Packet, send an e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers or call Rebecca Halik 703-917-6407. Pictures encouraged.
Gwendolyn Yance, President, and Joyce Deighton, Past President, of Fidelis Theta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, presented cookies to Assistant Principle Thomas Fitzpatrick as a “random act of kindness” in celebration of Alpha Delta Kappa Month. Alpha Delta Kappa is an international organization of women educators whose purposes include promoting excellence in education, altruism and understanding. The Fidelis Theta Chapter is composed of retired educators who live primarily in the Mt. Vernon area of Fairfax County.
Air Force Airman Asha C. Harris has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Harris earned distinction as an honor graduate. She is the daughter of Alicia Harris of Oronoco St., Alexandria, Va.
Air Force Airman Edward A. Caglayan has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Rauf Caglayan of Yoakum Parkway, Alexandria, Va. Caglayan is a 2007 graduate of T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew L. Darrough has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of William Darrough of Kane Court, Alexandria, Va. Darrough is a 2003 graduate of West Potomac High School.
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2008 recipients of the Alex Awards: Frank Shutts, Nina Tisara, Frank Regan and Gary Thomas. The honorees received their awards on Friday, October 24 at the "Taste for Giving" event at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. The Alex Awards, created by the Arts Committee of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in 1985, honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the arts in the City of Alexandria. The honorees will receive an original work of art by Ruth Gowell or Susan Makara, as well as a brass star designed by David Martin of Goldworks. This year, the Alex Awards will recognize excellence in artistic discipline and service to the arts, and an outstanding contribution to arts education.
Army Reserve Pvt. Evelyn F. Denning has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Denning is the daughter of Beatrice Addai-Green of S. Kings Highway, Alexandria. In 2007, the private graduated from Thomas Edison High School.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Natasha Lopes, a 2008 graduate of T. C. Williams High School, Alexandria recently completed U.S. Navy basic training and was meritoriously promoted to her current rank at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Navy Seaman Dana L. Szalajeski, son of Margaret A. and James T. Szalajeski of Alexandria,, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
The following Alexandria residents graduated from Central Michigan University in May of 2008: Wilease Buggs, Adam Dimke and Joshua Mooya. They all earned Masters of Science in Administration degrees.
Patricia Casey Clay, daughter of Frank and Ann Clay of Alexandria, was selected to participate in the Westover Honors program at Lynchburg College. Clay is a senior communications studies major at Lynchburg College.
Ashley E. Hoath, of Alexandria, was selected to be a peer assisted study sessions leader at Lynchburg College. Hoath is a junior exercise physiology major at the college.
Benjamin Sprague Hewson, the son of Tom and Deborah Hewson of Alexandria, has graduated from the University of Rochester. On May 18, 2008 at the 158th commencement, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He was also a graduate of Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Rachel B. Collins, of Alexandria, has won “The Old Forge Hardware Award” for her painting “Vertebra Trio.” The award was given by The Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors.
Michaleen E. Eife of Alexandria, age 12, was chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant. Eife's activities include dance, piano, volleyball, church and girl scouts. She has been volunteering at the Animal Shelter, the Washington House and the St. Clement's Thrift Shop.
Debra Luecretia Mason, president of T.C. Williams High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), is the winner of the Alexandria Human Rights Commission’s seventh annual 2008 Student Human Rights Awards for her leadership role and promotion of equality for all regardless of sexuality.
Mayor William D. Euille, members of the Alexandria City Council, and members of the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) honored the ACPD’s 2008 award winners on June 24 during a reception at City Hall. This year’s award recipients are Louis Barnett, who was selected as the recipient of the Gerry Bertier Scholarship Award; Jeannie Cummins Eisenhour, who was presented with the John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award; and the Coalition for Housing Opportunities In the Community for Everyone (CHOICE), who was presented with a Community Organization Grant. The program also included Mayor Euille reading a Proclamation honoring former ACPD member George K. Caddy. Caddy was honored for his contributions, accomplishments, and service with distinction on the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities.
Three Alexandria medics were honored for heroic lifesaving efforts in the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council’s “Call of the Quarter” awards on Oct. 24.
Paramedics Joshua Weissman and Donald Scott, and Emergency Medical Technician Tracy Eichelberger were honored for their teamwork, ability to think under a particularly stressful situation, and their use of accepted medical protocols when they saved the life of a 20-month-old male.
Two students with disabilities were matched with Alexandria Library staff for Disability Mentoring Day on Oct. 15. At Alexandria Library's Talking Books Service, Jennifer Trujillo and Chelsea Murry, seniors at T.C. Williams High School, experienced a typical day on the job in the office that supplies "talking books" to blind and physically challenged individuals. Jennifer and Chelsea helped to organize reading machines that play specially designed, pre-recorded cassette tapes.