People

Partnership Spotlights ‘Connect With Kids’ Champions

The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families has named four Connect With Kids Champions for their extraordinary efforts to let young people know they are cared for and valued in the community. The Partnership selects CWK Champions twice annually to acknowledge those who are making a difference in the lives of Arlington youth.

Beloved Teacher’s Legacy of Innovation Lives On

Candace Leyton Innovation Learning Lab opens at Wolftrap Elementary.

Talk about a lasting impression—and the impact that a great teacher can leave behind as her legacy. Chris Shumway didn’t keep in touch with Candace Leyton, his third grade math teacher from Wolftrap Elementary School in Vienna, who passed away from breast cancer in 2003, but nearly 40 years later, Shumway was back at school to dedicate the Candace Leyton Innovation Learning Lab in honor of the woman whom he says “believed that I could be so much more.”

Fifth Graders on a Hero’s Journey

Spring Hill Elementary students work with professional theater director to create their own works.

The students in Danny Seagraves’ fifth grade class know their grammar. They know spelling, math, and social studies too. These are all teachable subjects, according to the Spring Hill Elementary School teacher. But one concept that just can’t be taught, says 20-year teaching veteran Danny Seagraves, is creativity.

Making Sandwiches for Martha’s Table

In late January, Churchill Road second and fifth graders, as well as some siblings and parents, held the second sandwich-making event of the year for Martha’s Table, a Washington, D.C.,-based organized which helps feed the homeless.

Eight Scouts Honored for Heroic Deeds

Eight boys from National Capital Area Council (NCAC) Boy Scouts of America (BSA) received National Court of Honor Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Awards in 2012 for remaining calm in a crisis, making quick use of Scout training and for living up to the words “to help other people at all times,” which is part of the Scout Oath.

Troop 673 Gets New Eagle Scout

Spencer Weiss is the latest Eagle Scout in Troop 673 sponsored by the Great Falls United Methodist Men.

CSMS Science Olympiad Team Triumphs

The Carl Sandburg Middle School Science Olympiad Team has been notified that they have qualified for the Virginia State Science Olympiad Tournament to be held April 27 on the Virginia Tech Campus in Blacksburg. The team competed at the Virginia Science Olympiad Regional Tournament in Charlottesville, on Saturday, Feb. 16. Overall results placed Carl Sandburg Middle School as the 4th ranked school at the Science Olympiad competition that weekend.

Farmer’s Market Continues Through Winter

Weekly market will take place every Saturday, indoors or out.

Fairfax County is home of dozens of farmer’s markets throughout the year, but by November, almost all of them have shuttered for the winter before re-opening in the spring. But the Great Falls Farmer’s Market is open year-round, offering produce and other items throughout the winter.

Taking the Plunge at Lake Anne

Hundreds participate in Polar Bear Dip to raise money for Camp Sunshine.

When Jean Young of Reston bundled up for her Saturday walk with her dog Seamus around Lake Anne Saturday, Feb. 2, she was worried her down jacket, long underwear, wool hat and gloves might not provide enough protection from the 30- degree weather. Little did she know she would be encountering more than 100 people wearing even less.

Herndon Reston Youth Softball Takes on New Commissioner

Veteran fastpitch softball player and coach Jordan Foster says she’s ready for the challenge of leading the Herndon Reston Youth Softball League as Commissioner Bob Thomas retires and a new slate of officers takes the helm. The growing girls' fastpitch softball league, serving players ages 6 to 18 in the greater Herndon-Reston area, will take on Foster to take the baton from Bob Thomas, who helped build a good name for the league.

Freezin’ For a Reason at Lake Anne

Area daredevils ready to freeze to help kids battling illnesses.

Individuals in crazy costumes and creative flair will take over Lake Anne Plaza in Reston once again for the 6th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, Feb. 2. The event will kick off at noon with family friendly activities and warm-up—with the dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Last year’s event drew record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $76,000. Registered participants will take a chilly full plunge or a “Chicken Dip”—to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Charles ‘Dan’ McGuire, of Reston, Dies

Passionately Irish and passionately Virginian, Charles “Dan” McGuire lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 19. Thus, another of Reston's “Old Timers” has passed on. Dan was one of Reston's early residents who helped guide a growing Reston through his community activism. He served several terms on Reston Association's Board of Directors. He served a term as vice-president of the Reston Citizens Association.

The 'President's Own' of Vienna, Reston Play in 57th Inauguration

Tuba player Gunnery Sgt. Mark Thiele of Vienna, clarinetist Staff Sgt. Christopher Grant of Oakton and trumpeter/cornetist Staff Sgt. Robert Singer of Reston performed in the 57th Inauguration of the President of the United States on Monday, Jan. 21, as members of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. This marks the Marine Band's 54th consecutive inaugural appearance.

Redefining Service

Vienna mayor’s first goal: To make politician a nice word.

Politician. Noun: a person who is professionally involved in politics, or a person who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization, as defined by Oxford. Mayor Jane Seeman, from the Town of Vienna, is not a politician, at least not in the current form of the word. She doesn’t seek to be a politician either, but instead wants to redefine the word and the meaning behind it. She wants to make government accessible to her citizens, and wants to give power back to the people who should be making decisions for her community: not the politicians.

Winter Fun Abounds in Vienna

Area hosts events to chase away the chill.

The Vienna-area hosts a variety of fun indoor events during the cold season. From live theatre to live music, from food and gaming to Washington’s most revered political satire, there’s a bit of something for every interest.

The Connection