People

Superheroes Meet Real Heroes

Marvel Universe Live! performers honor area firefighters.

Performers of Marvel Universe Live! honored firefighters outside the Patriot Center in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 12.

Just 15, Paul VI sophomore LaDan Nemati has a full plate. From November-February, she skates with a synchronized skating team in Delaware; and during the spring, summer and early fall, she does solo ice dancing.

Music and Food Under the Stars at Fairfax Old Town

The City of Fairfax Old Town and Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department hosted an evening under the stars with music by the Legacy Brass Quintet on Friday Sept. 12.

Search for Hannah Graham Continues

West Potomac Alumna, UVA second year student, last seen on Sept. 13

Hannah Graham, University of Virginia sophomore and alumna of West Potomac High School, has been missing since the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 13.

‘[This] Will Change Our Lives’

Community, Paisano’s unite to purchase an accessible van.

Last Friday, Sept. 12, was a night when dreams came true. On Centreville High’s football field, the Wildcats trounced West Potomac, 54-0. And on the sidelines at halftime, Centreville senior Juwaan Espinal, 17, was presented with an accessible van.

Dranesville Elementary Holds Back to School Night

Parents and teachers reconnect at school event.

Herndon Dranesville Elementary hosted its annual Back to School Night on Monday, Sept. 15 for parents to meet the teachers and individuals who support their children. The event was for parents and guardians only so families could understand the aspects of their child’s education.

Senator Warner Visits Downtown Herndon

Herndon business owners speak with Senator Mark Warner.

United States Senator Mark Warner made a visit to downtown Herndon on Friday, Sept. 12. The purpose of the visit was to connect and chat with some local business owners and staff.

Longfellow Principal Wins State Award

Carole Kihm named Outstanding Middle School Principal by VASSP.

Carole Kihm, principal at Longfellow Middle School, remembers her love for educating children and pre-teens when she was in high school. Her lifelong love for education paid off when she was named Outstanding Middle School Principal of Virginia by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals earlier this year.

Great Falls Honors 9/11 Victims

Candles lit, names read during memorial ceremony.

Still 13 years later, it is a date no American can forget. The annual Great Falls 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held on Thursday at the Freedom Memorial to remember the six village citizens who died when a plane hit the Pentagon more than a decade ago.

Dalya Luttwak Exhibits at GRACE

Sculpture exhibit on display in Reston until Nov. 1.

Since 2007, artist Dalya Luttwak has been working on a series of sculptures depicting the root systems of various plants. Some of these sculptures are on display at Reston GRACE located on the corner of Market St. and St. Francis in the Reston Town Center.

Attending Classes in Korea

Fairfax Academy student will spend school year there.

Normally, Serena Gregory would have just begun her last year at Chantilly High, caught up in the excitement of new classes, old friends and the thrill of being a senior. She’d also be playing volleyball, basketball and lacrosse for the Chargers. Instead, the former Korean-language student at the Fairfax Academy is now in another part of the world, spending the school year in Korea.

Remembering America’s Fallen Heroes

Each year, the firefighters of West Centreville Station 38 honor the firefighters who died in the 9/11 tragedy in New York by placing flags outside their station.

In Solemn Remembrance

Local bugler plays ‘Taps’ in honor of the Sept. 11 victims.

Throughout Virginia and the U.S., people commemorated last Thursday’s 13th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Locally, Theodore Smith, an 83-year old volunteer with Bugles Across America, did it in his own, special way.

Raising Awareness about Interstitial Cystitis

Potomac woman launches petition for increased research funds.

Twenty-year-old Justine Stayman, a computer science major attending the University of Maryland’s Honors Program, was thrilled to be selected for the highly-competitive Hinman CEO program – the nation’s first living-learning entrepreneurship program. She was looking forward to living on the UM campus with other students who had a passion for launching their own businesses.

Potomac Activist Pens New Book

Novel began as a scrap of paper in her wallet.

No one is going to accuse Sharon Allen Gilder of being in a rush to get something done. In fact, she took her time deciding what to do about a project she started 20 years ago. She does admit, however, that she gave considerable thought to the job she had in mind by “carrying a scrap of paper in my wallet.”

The Connection