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Taylor Run

KEIRA MORAN Our neighbor Keira Moran has decided to accept a scholarship to the music industries program at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music. 1, 243 musicians entered videos of their performing original music to Frost. Fifty of those students were called down to audition; Keira was one of the 12 who were chosen for the program.

Editorial: Connection Guide to Parks Wins ‘Best in Show’

Investigative reporting, in depth coverage, education writing, photography, art, design, sports, garner Virginia Press Association honors.

The Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association, with winners announced on Saturday, April 20, in Norfolk.

Letter: Prepare for Park Meeting

To the Editor: The Westgrove Park Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA) has been the subject of numerous articles and letters in the Gazette over the past two years. Last November, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) agreed to establish the OLDA on an interim basis pending the outcome of the Master Planning process.

Turbo Tutoring Scholarship

Turbo Tutoring, the local SAT accelerated prep company, awarded its first scholarship (for $500) to Kelly Duncan.

Athenaeum Wants Your Vote to Fund Restoration in Online Contest

Leaders at the Old Town landmark suggest voting early and often.

Do you love the Athenaeum? If the answer is yes, executive director Catherine Aselford is asking for your vote.

Elephant Artist Inspires Youth

On Thursday, April 11, 30 children from The Apple Tree School of Fairfax had the opportunity to paint alongside Kelly Ann, a 17-year-old Asian elephant with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, at the George Mason University Patriot Center.

2013 Black Opal: Celebrating New Generation of Leaders

The Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network held its awards ceremony on April 6 at the Artisphere. Black Opal, an awards gala/black-tie reception, serves as the primary fundraiser for the organization. The funds raised by Black Opal support its programs including College Survival, Political Forum, and Opportunity to Thrive.

South County Student Awarded Scholarship

Tyrone Simpson receives $5,000 from Northern Virginia Urban League.

The Northern Virginia Urban League awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local high school students at its annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner Friday, April 19. The organization, whose mission it is to enable disadvantaged youth to achieve economic and academic success, awarded one scholarship to South County Secondary School senior Tyrone Simpson.

‘The Music Man’ Marches Into South County High

Cast of over 50 presents the award-winning classic musical.

Katie Murray, a South County High School senior and Fairfax Station resident, remembers vividly the first time she saw a rendition of Meredith Wilson’s classic musical “The Music Man.” Her younger self was home sick, channel surfing, and stumbled upon the 2003 film remake starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth.

Hazel Poole Receives Service Award From Volunteer Fairfax

Greenspring resident Hazel Poole was recently honored at the 2013 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax. The awards recognize “individuals, groups and organizations that have given outstanding volunteer service through a broad range of activities and programs” throughout the county. Poole received the award in the “Adult Volunteer 250 Hours and Over” category.

Saratoga Students Discuss Oil Spill on Earth Day

Disaster response subject matter experts from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), spoke to 100 students at Saratoga Elementary School in Springfield on Wednesday, April 17, about how NGA assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in the cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which dumped more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Tara Sankner, ‘Warrior Princess’

Second-grader battles brain cancer.

That’s because Tara, a second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary, is in the fight of her life, battling brain cancer. “My day depends on how she’s doing,” said mom Tammy Sankner. “If she’s having a good day, I’m fine.”

Close Shave at Lees Corner

When second grader Tara Sanker was diagnosed with brain cancer, the staff and faculty at Lees Corner Elementary School got ready to help her through her journey. The first milestone was the day she came into school with a shaved head. Some younger students were confused about the changes Sanker was going through and made some comments and observations that were inadvertently hurtful. Tara’s mom Tammy Sanker, Principal Robert D’Amato and Tara’s teacher Vicki McGorty felt the best way to help Tara was to share her story with the students at Lees Corner Elementary School during the morning news program.

Grace Thomas, 82, Formerly of Springfield, Dies

Grace Thomas died on Friday, April 19, 2013, in Haverhill, Mass., of natural causes. She was 82. Thomas was born on June 13, 1930, in Saunderstown, R.I. Formerly known as Grace Lorena Matterson, she married Walter R. Thomas in 1950. They were married for 59 years.

Understanding Autism

In observation of Autism Awareness Month, Union Mill Elementary students participated in a sensory simulation experience during their physical education classes on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5. The activities included an obstacle course which simulated things that children with autism often find to be helpful, such as jumping and bouncing. Other stations included a mirror station that simulated perception confusion, a glove station that simulated fine motor challenges, and a listening station that simulated the filtering of external stimuli, all of which can be challenging for students with autism. The experience gave students a better understanding of autism. The sensory simulation activities were coordinated and led by Union Mill PTA Alternative Education Co-Chairs, Melyssa Plath and Nicole Moore, and PE teachers Jenny Murray and Elizabeth Cross. Several Union Mill parent volunteers were also on hand to assist the students at each station.

The Connection