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Pathway to Zero in Alexandria

December 27, 2017

Viewpoints in McLean

January 2, 2018

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Three Great Falls Scouts Promoted to Eagles

Troop 55 in Great Falls recently announced the advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout of four young men: Patrick Ryan, Conrad Dear, Bennett Molster, and Ryan Withers. These scouts have earned at least 21 merit badges, and have demonstrated scout spirit by living the scout oath and law through years of service and leadership. They have each also planned, organized, led and managed extensive service projects.

Madison High’s Mimi Shang Wins Congressional District Art Competition

Five students from four Fairfax County public schools took top honors in Congressman Gerry Connolly’s sixth annual Congressional Arts Competition. Connolly announced the winners Saturday. Mimi Shang of James Madison High School in Vienna took first place honors with her artwork titled Bubble Talking. Her artwork will be hung in the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside the winners of congressional arts competitions from districts across the country.

Vienna Student Honored for Exemplary Essay

The United States Capitol Historical Society has announced that Richard Alec Merski of Vienna, a senior at James Madison High School, has been named one of the winners of the 2013 Making Democracy Work Student Essay Contest. Richard was awarded First Place in the Senior Division and earned a cash prize of $1,000. “The US Capitol Historical Society is pleased to recognize Richard Alec Merski for his exemplary essay,” said US Capitol Historical Society President Ron Sarasin. “As with all the winning essays, Richard’s essay reflected a deep understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our representative form of government.” Merski’s award-winning essay, “The Duties of Democracy: Reflections on a Citizen’s Rights and Responsibilities,” reminds us of the cost of defending the rights enjoyed by citizens of the United States.

Oak Hill Students Participate in National STEM Festival

Oak Hill students participated in the USA Science & Engineering festival as an official exhibitor. The team comprising fifth and sixth graders call themselves EcoSy"STEM" Preservers. The team worked on renewable sources of energy with kitchen waste. Generating biogas from organic waste in your own kitchen has been researched and presented at the festival. The team members included: Fufth graders -- Pranava Nidumolu, Sohal Sudheer and Jordan Lee and sixth graders Aditya Kumar, Medha Gupta and Malavika Pillai. Approximately 325,000 people attended the largest celebration of STEM in the nation.

‘Alice’ Comes to Madeira

Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet presents ‘Alice In Wonderland’ on May 11.

“The girls gain an opportunity to enjoy performing and dance before an audience of people,” said Margaret Haddad. “This time the show is ‘Alice In Wonderland’.” Since 1962 Margaret A. Haddad has taught the Nicholai Legat method of Russian Classical Ballet across the globe in locations including England, Lebanon, Kenya. In 1987, Haddad opened her studio in Great Falls. There, talented young people learn the Legat Syllabus, emphasizing grace, unison and discipline. Haddad was one of the first English students accepted to the Legat School of Russian Ballet which was developed by Nadine Nicolaeva and Nicolai Legat. Located in Scotland, the Russian Ballet Society is committed to preserving and maintaining the Classical Russian Ballet style and the Legat System via teaching and examination qualification exams.

End of an Era for Town Council

Mike Polychrones steps down, moves to North Carolina.

For nearly two decades, Mike Polychrones has been a fixture on the Vienna Town Council. But Tuesday morning, after voting in the Town election, he and his wife Patti headed south to their new home in North Carolina. His last Council meeting was April 28 and, at its outset, he was honored by Mayor Laurie Di Rocco and Del. Mark Keam (D-35). Di Rocco gave Polychrones a plaque “in recognition of dedicated service” from 1996-2003 and 2004-2014, and Keam read a resolution from the Virginia General Assembly thanking him for all he’s done.

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TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm To Host Annual ‘The First Tee’

During the summer, if you visit the Montgomery County golf courses at Laytonsville, Needwood, Sligo, Northwest or Olney, you will see youngsters blasting balls from sand traps, laying into drives, trying to sink a long putt, or heading off to the tee box carrying their bags on their backs. These are just some of the youths in The First Tee summer program who are learning to play and love the game of golf but also gaining more in terms of personal growth and ethics.

Herndon High Junior Selected for West Point Summer Leaders Seminar

Daniel Vedova, a junior at Herndon High School and co-captain of Herndon High School’s FIRST Robotics team (Epsilon Delta 116), has been selected to be among 1,000 attendees at West Point’s Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) in June. More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, and participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops.

Storm Hits the Area

The pictures taken during the storm last Wednesday, April 30, at the intersection of Old Courthouse Road and Wolftrap Run.

Storm Affects on Potomac

Storm and flooding had severe affect on Potomac.

County Chamber Moves to Tysons

FCCC makes new location official with ribbon-cutting party.

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) members loyalty runs river deep. More than 400 people braved the flooding Potomac and heavy traffic due to severe thunderstorms to celebrate the Chamber’s Open House and ribbon cutting in Tysons Corner on Wednesday.

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Mother’s Day Event for a Cause

Turner Farm event raising money for suicide awareness.

A mother’s love never ends. Sarah Kirk is planning a celebration of life in memory of her daughter, Becky Love, to raise awareness about suicide and funds for Comfort Zone Camp. Becky was a charismatic and spiritual person and a mother herself, according to Kirk. She was found dead on a shooting range in August at 32 years old. “I wish I knew more about what my daughter was going through,” said Kirk. “We wanted to celebrate Becky being a mother and all mothers who want the best for their kids.”

Churchill Road Chess Team Wins White Oaks Challenge

The Churchill Road chess team won White Oaks Chess Challenge on April 28. Led by their coach, David Mehler, this is the first time that the Churchill Road team has won this tournament since 1999. Team members included: Raka Adakroy, Reevu Adakroy, Spencer Brooks, Eric Chen, Oviya Dass, Jonathan Deng, Cami Diba, Wyatt Fesler, Ashley Fuentes, Tarushii Goel, Nidhi Gumpella and Nicholas Liu.

Me & My Mom

A gallery of photos submitted for Mother’s Day.

An Abundance at the Farmers Market

Twelve vendors offer variety at outdoor event.

Baskets of fruit and bundles of fresh local vegetables will be available near the town caboose until mid-November. The Thursday farmers market has returned from hibernation for its 25th year on May 1, giving town locals the opportunity to socialize and shop for local produce from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “The first day is usually slow,” said Herndon Market Master John Dudzinsky. “You usually see the regulars. People forget about it, then the word starts to spread.” He said it will last until Nov. 13. During the summer months, shows and outdoor activities are provided for children.

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