People

GMU Students Rally to Lower Student Debt

Members of GMU Student Power Travel to Richmond to voice concern over rising debt.

Twelve students from George Mason University traveled to Richmond with the Virginia Student Power Network, rallying and calling for debt-free education, and for increased educational opportunities for undocumented students. Rodrigo Velasquez, a junior at Mason from Springfield and GMU Student Power’s organizer, was one of the 12 from Mason who also went to Richmond.

Langley High Choirs Complete Fall/Winter Season

The Langley High School Madrigals recently completed a busy fall and winter season with a performance at the Providence Baptist Church Twelfth Night Feast on Jan. 8. The Madrigals, a small vocal ensemble that performs mostly Renaissance music with an emphasis on independent and a cappella singing, also took part recently in a Tallis Scholars Masterclass with Peter Phillips at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.

New Retirement Building and Community Center Open in McLean

75 apartments in Vinson Hall Independent Living all booked.

New senior living apartments in town will serve as home for 75 retired government workers. After a decade of design and construction, the Navy Marine Coast Guard and Vinson Hall Retirement Community held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new independent living apartment building and community center on Jan. 22.

Deborah Jackson Named Learning Forward’s President

Deborah Jackson, special projects administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools, began her term as president of Learning Forward at the conclusion of the association's annual conference in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 10, 2014. Jackson succeeds Julie Blaine, executive director of the Central Regional Professional Development Center at the University of Central Missouri. Blaine now serves as past president.

Preparing Sandwiches for Martha’s Table

A snow day didn’t stop Churchill Road Elementary School third and fourth graders from making sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that serves sandwiches to those in need. Even though the event had to be rescheduled, an enthusiastic group of students and family members were able to make more than 2,100 sandwiches for this organization.

NextStop Theatre Receives Helen Hayes Nominations

Herndon's NextStop Theatre received two Helen Hayes Award nominations presented by theatreWashington for outstanding achievement in professional theatre in the Washington metropolitan area. NextStop Theatre was nominated for Helen Hayes Awards for co-productions with Forum Theatre Company and with Faction of Fools Theatre Company.

Obituary: Aphrodite S. Hero, 87. Dies

Aphrodite S. Hero, 87, a Washington, D.C. arts and education activist since settling in this area in the 1950s, died peacefully on Feb. 1, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. She was a 45-year resident of Alexandria and a 10-year resident of Reston. Mrs. Hero, a native of New York City, graduated from Columbia University and pursued graduate studies at NYU and George Mason University.

Brutsché and Heron Earn National Certification for Parks and Recreation

RCC staff members Karen Brutsché and Debbie Heron recently attained the status of Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRP) as governed by the National Certification Board (NCB) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Langley Alumna Ranks High at Air Force Academy

Sophia Vasiliadis named Wing Commander of school.

Four years ago, Sophia Vasiliadis was about to graduate from Langley High School and unsure of the direction she wanted to take in life. Since then, it has been up, up and away. Today, the 22-year-old student at the Air Force Academy (AFA) is now leading the entire student body as the new Cadet Wing.

Impromptu Motion Struck Down

Singh resolution reaffirming Town position failed.

A prior incident between a councilmember and the town manager lead to an impromptu motion. Councilmember Jasbinder Singh motioned for a resolution at the Jan. 27 meeting calling for the town manager - currently Arthur Aselene - to give council members any material they want to decide on resolutions.

W-L’s Sophie Hatcher Wins Conference All-Around Title

McLean wins team championship, W-L places second.

Members of the Washington-Lee gymnastics team swarmed Sophie Hatcher after judges posted the senior’s floor routine score during Monday’s Conference 6 championship meet at McLean High School.

1st Stage Receives Helen Hayes Nominations

Tysons' 1st Stage was nominated for nine Helen Hayes Awards for outstanding achievement in professional theatre in the Washington metropolitan area. The awards are named after Helen Hayes, the legendary first lady of the American Theatre. Nominated artists and companies exemplify the excellence found on Washington area stages.

Machete Attack Yields Life Sentence

A 30-year-old man was found guilty Jan. 29 of aggravated malicious wounding in the Arlington County Circuit Court for a machete attack on two victims outside of Central Library in June 2013. The jury sentenced Derrick Sutherland, of no fixed address, to life in prison without parole.

It’s Time for a “Place”

The community of Great Falls is abundant with creative talent. Our ability to socialize our children into many layers of being in the world is truly remarkable: the home and school, the beach, the mountains and ski slopes, the world of the spirit, the arts, the sciences, technology, philosophy…exploration in nature, taking walks, journeying on the river, photographing nature, looking out the window while doing homework - connecting with the tree spirits, the herd of deer, the birds outside the window, all hanging out in the same tree.

Lopez Studios Students Shine at the Junior Theater Festival

Students from Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts School in Reston earned high praise at the 2015 Junior Theater Festival, held Jan. 16, 17 and 18 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga. The 17 students, ages 8-16, presented selections from “Once On This Island JR.” for Karen Sharp, education director at Seattle Children’s Theatre; and director, composer, music director, and performer Rob Rokicki (:Hairspray;” “Love, NY”).

The Connection