Programming Marathon at TJ
Area high schoolers impress instructors at the 24-hour computer programming marathon.
When a voice over the loudspeaker announced, “free swag outside,” a stampede of teenagers cleared out the Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) gymnasium in less than a minute. Even after almost 20 hours of coding and programming, the students were at no loss for enthusiasm, especially for free paraphernalia decorated with the TJ Hackathon logo. Kim Holton, a volunteer whose son was participating in the hackathon, said, “They all seem really tired and they’re dragging, but they’re excited.”
Town Employees Honored for Service to the Community
On April 24, three Town of Vienna employees received Rotary Club of Vienna’s 2013 “Service Above Self” award. Mark Sherwood, operations superintendent, and Jonathan Wooden, sanitation supervisor with the Department of Public Works, and Tammy Barker, dispatcher with the Vienna Police Department, received the awards for their dedication and service to the Vienna community.
Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Each year more than 200 volunteers at Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) serve as medical drivers, companion drivers, friendly callers and visitors, health and wellness counselors, fundraisers and grant writers. These volunteers run programs such as Lunch n’ Life, Adventures in Learning, trips and outings, special events and caregivers’ support groups.
Taste of Vienna Brings Community Together
Vienna Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser offered restaurant fare, live entertainment and a moonbounce for kids.
Certainly, Saturday’s almost-May weather contributed to the festive mood at the 2nd Annual Taste of Vienna sponsored by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Abundant sunshine and cloudless blue skies lit up Cherry Street on April 27. Throngs of local families, seniors, teens and babies in strollers milled around food and wine tents, under eating tents and along the stage front, where contemporary pop bands performed. It was the kind of community-spirit day Vienna is known for.
Confronting Lyme Disease
A former patient becomes patient consultant.
Marjorie Veiga became ill after her second daughter was born. She developed intense pain in her hip area and a hypersensitivity to pressure. Drawing sheets over herself hurt. She had symptoms of arthritis and was tired, weak and in pain. After suffering six weeks of these unfamiliar symptoms, Veiga sought out a diagnosis. She said she never before felt an intensity like that.
Community Center Expansion Discussed
Open forum on April 23 solicited viewpoints and needs from community.
If you had an unlimited budget—or a magic wand—what would you turn the Vienna Community Center into? Most of the more-than 35 attendees at the Department of Parks and Recreation April 23 forum on the proposed expansion of the community center shared a consensus of what they hoped to see an expanded community center look like (from a large indoor swimming pool with retractable walls to a well-equipped fitness center and regulation-sized gym).
Student Receives Governor’s Award at State Science and Engineering Fair
Student Receives Governor’s Award at State Science and Engineering Fair
Andrea Shao-yin Li of Vienna, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School, was awarded The Governor's Award and Grand Prize First Place at the 28th Annual Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair held on April 6 at Virginia Military Academy in Lexington, VA.
Laudable Performances
Langley High School’s production of “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.”
The path to happiness is often obstructed by challenges, and in this case by horrid schools, financial troubles and ruthless uncles. Amidst the overwhelming corruption and poverty in Victorian England, Langley High School’s production of “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” proves that the resilience of the human spirit triumphs in the end. “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” was adapted from the Charles Dickens novel of the same name by David Edgar in 1980. Prior to Edgar’s work, the novel’s adaptation was an eight-hour production, which often had to be performed over the course of a couple days.
Chesterbrook Elementary Inaugurates Renovated Outdoor Stairway
Representatives from the McLean Community Foundation and Transurban Fluor joined Chesterbrook staff and families for a ribbon cutting ceremony at their Earth Day Celebration on Monday, April 22, to inaugurate their newly renovated outdoor stairway.
Poetry Corner
The Wave
see it coming. I see the leading, massive wave marking the peak of high tide It rumbles towards me like a bull to a matador Building up force the closer and closer it gets until The icy, stinging slap of the wave slams over my body Lifting me up and off my feet Tumbling into the deep blue watery depths of the ocean. The salt water explodes through my nose As foggy bits of shells mixed with sand fly past my eyes in the undercurrent My arms are ripped, scratched and burned from the ocean floor And my lungs scream for air As I tumble head over heels towards the shore.
Oakcrest School Announces Artwork of the Year Awards
Oakcrest School recently announced the winners of the Artwork of the Year Awards at Fine Arts Night: Grace Allen, seventh grade, won among middle schoolers and Jane North, 12th grade, at the upper school level.
Teacher of the Year
Longfellow Middle School CTE teacher recognized by the Southern Business Education Association.
Search the faces of Helene Safford’s students, and you won’t find one look of boredom. No signs of restlessness or clock-watching either. In fact, the expressions on the seventh and eighth graders’ faces in Safford’s speech arts class portray nothing but enthusiasm. On a recent Monday afternoon, the computer-lined classroom featured students milling about, and the noise level was high. But Safford wouldn’t have it any other way. The students were working in groups, consulting with their peers and with Safford on a broadcasting technology project.
Spring Hill Students Win Earth Day Awards
The school celebrates Earth Day with a multi-media celebration and contest.
Spring Hill Elementary School kicked off a new tradition this year for Earth Day. The entire student body shared their own interpretation of the importance of Earth Day through a school-wide art show and talent contest. The students created a variety of artistic creations, ranging from visual art to poetry and performance art. The celebration concluded with a recycled-goods fashion show.
Fairfax Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, a highly-decorated Blackhawk pilot.
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess of Fairfax, a highly-decorated U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot, was killed Tuesday, April 23, in Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon report from Friday, April 26.
Celebrating Earth Day at Churchill Road
Churchill Road Elementary lived up to its Green Flag Award status by promoting a variety of eco-friendly programs and activities leading up to Earth Day.
Bowling in Support of Junior Achievement
More than 100 McLean- and Washington, D.C.-based KPMG employees and their families bowled at Bowl America Falls Church on Wednesday, April 24 and Saturday, April 27, as part of Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Washington’s annual JA Bowl.
McLean Orchestra Hosts ‘Midnight in Paris’
Orchestra offers its final “Season of Imagination” concert on May 4.
Trust people who wear formal attire as their uniform, and those who direct and administer their efforts, to know how to put on a gala. Sunday, April 21, was the night of the McLean Orchestra’s annual fundraiser held at the Hilton Tysons Corner. Themed “Midnight in Paris” from reception start through a dinner that included a live auction, acknowledgements and awards, and finally dancing to the tunes of Ed Witles The Elegant DJ, the black-tie evening was as well-arranged, conducted and received as any of the musical performances for which the orchestra is known.
‘Come to the Light’ at Katie’s Coffee in Great Falls
“Come to the Light,” an exhibit of photos capturing light in nature by Great Falls photographer and author Dee Leggett, will be on display during May at Katie’s Coffee in Great Falls.
The Great Falls All Star Team Beats Tennessee State Champs
The Great Falls All Star youth baseball team not only won the District 4 Championship and the VA State Championship last year as 12-year-olds, but also beat the South Carolina State Champions (12-1) and the West Virginia State Champions (13-0) last year in the SE Regional Tournament.
The Sponsors
Presenting sponsors Westfields Business Owners Assn. and Kaiser Permanente are joined by the following businesses in supporting this event: Beatty Management Co., Virginia Heritage Bank,