People

Team Members Teach Children with Autism

Besides participating in robotics competitions, team Robowiz also did community outreach via the START (Spreading Technology And Robotics Together) program. It partnered with the Autism Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) to encourage children with autism to develop an interest in robotics.

‘You Start with a Box of Metal’

Local robotics team heads to two state championships.

It’s a big deal when a team, academic or athletic, reaches the state championships. But it’s even more impressive when that team does it in two, different states. Meet team Robowiz – 10 local students who’ve reached that level in both Virginia and Maryland. The eight boys and two girls live in Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax and are in grades eight through 10.

Winner, Runner-up of Local Spelling Bee

Kaia Liese Lehenbauer won Local Scripps Spelling Bee for home schooled students held at Harvester Teaching Services in Springfield on Feb. 9 and will advance to the Fairfax County Spelling Bee to be held at Lanier Middle School on March 22.

Just Pictures?

Randolph-Macon Professor presents on African-American Art at Workhouse.

How do we articulate the challenges of our experience in life? Randolph-Macon College art history professor Dr. Evie Terrono explores this question through the eyes of African-American artists, spanning from the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement to modern day.

Weichert, Realtors Recognizes Burke/Fairfax Station Office Associate

Bruce L. Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced Sales Associate Youssef Zeroual of the Burke/Fairfax Station office was individually recognized for his exceptional industry success during the month of January.

School’s 10th Anniversary Includes Alumni Reunion

The Howard Gardner School hosted an Alumni Reunion on Jan. 9 as part of its 10th anniversary celebration. Founded in 2004, HGS is an independent school with graduating classes that average 12 students. One quarter of HGS alumni attended the event to see each other and their former teachers.

Faces of Gum Springs, Alexandria

Residents reflect on their historic community.

Of the current residents of Gum Springs, several hundred are descendants of the original families who bought land and settled in one of northern Virginia’s oldest and historically black communities.

Alexandria School's Space Odyssey

NASA Administrator gives Jefferson-Houston students a taste for science.

For many children, “astronaut” is one of the quickest answers when asked what they want to be when they grow up. A visit to Jefferson-Houston School on Feb. 13 from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden aimed to encourage those students to hold onto that answer. Bolden and other NASA leadership spoke to adults on how to cultivate an interest in math and science, and showed how by fielding questions from Jefferson-Houston students on life in space.

McLean Native Serves Aboard USS Mustin

A 2010 McLean High School graduate and McLean native is serving aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), living and working at the Navy’s forward-deployed base south of Tokyo. Ensign John Nowell is a surface warfare officer aboard the destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, which is located approximately 35 miles south of Tokyo and accommodates the United States’ furthest forward-deployed naval forces.

Reston Lions Honor Bland Contest Winners

Winners of the James A. Bland Music Competition, co-sponsored by the Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, were as follows: Vocal competition: Cecelia Steffen McKinley, first place; Nicole Marie Frank, second place; and Allison Gabrielle Engel, third place. Instrument competition: Gabrielle Li, first place; Jasper de Boor, second place; and Angela Anting Xu, third place.

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Honors Volunteers

To thank the multitude of community volunteers who contributed 29,000 hours of service in 2014 to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department [VVFD], the department hosted an “appreciation” banquet on Feb. 7 in the station’s Flame Room. More than 160 guests came to support award-winners, volunteers and new elected officials as they were sworn in by Vienna vice-mayor Edythe Kelleher.

Supporting Children in Haiti

For the fourth consecutive year, sixth grade Girl Scout Troop 1588, based at Churchill Road Elementary School, organized school supplies and toiletries for 3rd grade teacher Sarah Finger's annual mission to Haiti.

Seniors Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dinner and Dance

Town Recreation Department and SCOV partner at Vienna Community Center.

More than 120 “seniors” filled the auditorium at a Valentine’s Day dinner-dance on Feb. 13. The event was sponsored by the Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna [SCOV]. The Tallwood Trio played pop music and standards and many couples danced. They boogied to “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and held each other close to “Embraceable You,” some men mouthing the words as they danced.

Leslie Anthony’s ‘Horse and Hound’ on Exhibit at Katie’s Coffee House

Leslie Anthony is the guest artist exhibiting at Katie’s Coffee House (the Old Brogue), 760 Walker Road, Great Falls in March 2015. Titled “Horses and Hounds,” the show consists of oil paintings mostly of Virginia Equine scenes plus one acrylic surprise. “There is so much energy when one paints horses, whether running, jumping or sniffing a hound, or even just standing there.

Alexandria: Tone and Tune Presents Concert

Sumitra Barua stood at the entrance of the Lee Center auditorium and handed out a rose to each guest who entered on Feb. 14.

The Connection