People

People at Work: Firefighter on Engine 204

The house tone went off. Durant Cephers quickly zipped off his shoes and pulled on his knee high steel-toed RBI retardant boots waiting by the fire truck. Then in a few seconds came his nomex hood, inner and outer layer protectant pants and jacket. He jumped into the right rear bucket seat. The firefighters were headed to a fire alarm on the third floor of new construction. It had taken about a minute from the time the alarm sounded until the fire truck pulled out into the street. Durant is assigned to the East Battalion, Engine 204 on Prince Street in Old Town, Alexandria.

‘Greatest Generation’ Visits Rocky Run Middle School

Students hear first-hand accounts from WWII veterans on D-Day festival.

Students at Rocky Run Middle School received the greatest history lesson on D-Day: first-hand accounts from the men and women who served in World War II. The “greatest generation” officers visited the school for an all-day festival where seventh graders got to hear eyewitness accounts of what happened during the war from the men and women who served there. First-hand accounts included recollections from being enemy prisoners, successful missions, air raids, and special operations. Students had the opportunity to sit down with the veterans and interview them individually. Interviews were conducted all day in the cafeteria as well as the media room.

Albright Addresses McLean School Graduates

Go forth and make a difference.

Most graduation speakers are faced with the problem of emitting wisdom and life-lessons for the graduates who are leaving one phase in life and venturing on into their next act. Instead of speaking to the graduates about success and fortitude, McLean School Commencement Speaker Madeline Albright, Secretary of State under President Clinton, had students complete a survey, and she used the results and their views to formulate her speech.

Raising Funds and Awareness for Autism

Teams spark spirit at 14th Annual Autism Speaks 5K/Fun Walk on July 4.

Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The Autism Speaks 5K/Fun Run is living proof that joint efforts and collaboration are powerful. More than 100 teams gather forces each year to run and walk for their brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, friends and school-mates — and also to support the drive to find a cure and better treatments for autism. The teams, made up of runners/walkers of all ages represent swim clubs, schools, families, friends and companies; many participants have been touched by autism and want to help raise funds and awareness for this important cause.

Rocky Run Student Chosen As NASA Cassini Scientist

Rocky Run 7th grade student Nidhi Nagireddy was recently selected to be an “NASA Cassini Scientist for a Day.”

Apple Scholars Named

This year’s 36 “Apple Scholars” were selected from more than 400 applications that were reviewed by a committee of 30 judges from the Apple FCU membership community.

Fort Hunt Youth Lacrosse Celebrates 25th Year

League flourishes as popularity of sport continues to grow.

For the last 25 years, youth in Fort Hunt have had the opportunity to play competitive lacrosse, and many have gone on to play in college and coach later in life due in large part to their success in Fort Hunt Youth Lacrosse. What used to be a little-known and played sport is expanding and becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. Fort Hunt Youth Lacrosse offers opportunities for girls and boys as young as 5 years old to play.

In the Race for Children’s National

Alexandria family gets involved in Race for Every Child after son undergoes spinal fusion surgery.

After raising $712,000 last year, Children’s National Health System has set a goal of raising $1 million through the 2nd annual Race for Every Child in September. Ashley Husich, the race manager for the event, said that last year, the inaugural year for the race, surpassed expectations with 3,946 participants, and this year they are hoping to have 5,000.

Keeper of Our Local Story

The Great Falls Historical Society has carved as its mission, to keep the local story of life in Great Falls, Virginia over the centuries.

Herrick and Conrad Named ‘Friends in Deed’

The Friends of the McLean Community Center (FMCC) organization has named McLean residents Carol Conrad and Carole L. Herrick the recipients of its 2014 “Friend in Deed” award.

Helping Schools Visit Park

Raylynn Oliver, on behalf of the Great Falls Friends and Neighbors presented a check for $545 to Friends of River Bend President Tim Hackman, Vice President John Hughes-Caley and Board Member Odiorne Beebe.

A Perfect Attendance

McLean High graduate Catherine Overberg clocks in perfect attendance K-12.

Graduating from McLean High School on June 17, Catherine Overberg sealed in her perfect attendance record for thirteen full years of school. That’s right—not a day missed, not even an hour.

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