July 25, 2002
Oakton, McLean Residents Make Their Debut
The Old Dominion Cotillion hosted its an
nual debutante and benefit ball at
Westfields Marriott on July 13. Nine young ladies were presented to society by their parents and the Board of Governors of the Old Dominion Cotillion. Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute escorted the debutantes. The Assembly also introduced three Future Debutantes who will debut in the coming years. In addition, Post Debutantes and Alumnae were introduced. Christine Marie Clancy, Natasha Christina Filippides, and Nancy Patricia McArdle of Oakton as well as Catherine Julia Marian Evans of McLean were Debutantes; Anne-Stewart Downer, Kelly Eisenhart, and Christine Stein of Oakton were Future Debutantes; and Alexandra Lynn Bakke of Oakton was a Post Debutante.
Traditionally, the debutantes are presented prior to or following their senior year of high school. Their debut is a culmination of the Social Season that includes a year of social, cultural, charitable and educational activities planned to provide a variety of social settings and experiences for the young ladies. Each year the activities vary according to the interests and special talents of the Assembly members and culminate with Ball Week and the presentation of the Debutantes at the Ball.
As a commitment to social responsibility, each member of the Old Dominion Cotillion performs volunteer service at Oatlands Plantation, a National Trust historic site in Leesburg, Virginia. The Old Dominion Cotillion has not only fostered long lasting friendships among its members, but it also has given them invaluable experiences that prepare the young ladies for their roles in school and in the world of work.
The 2002-2003 Social Season will begin in September. To obtain more information about membership in the Old Dominion Cotillion, contact Francine Gallagher, Director, at 703-476-9576.
Mitchell, Runz engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Mitchell of Dunn Loring announce the engagement of their daughter Lara Lynne, to Scott Curran Runz of Falls Church.
Mr. Runz is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey H. Runz of Lancaster, PA, and is employed as a project manager in the Washington, D.C. area. He is a 1999 graduate of Radford University. Miss Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of Marshall High School and a 1999 graduate of Radford University. She is a Fairfax County School teacher. An August 2002 wedding is planned.
Wilson Elected President of Lions Club
Lions Club member Shirley Wilson has been elected to lead the Northern Virginia Lions. Wilson was elected as District-24A Governor and will lead 68 Lions Clubs in Northern Virginia, the District Cabinet and numerous Lions services provided to the public. Wilson was also elected to serve as Chairman of the Council of Governors for the six Lions Districts in Virginia; there are over 10,000 Lions Club members in Virginia. Wilson is a member of the Bailey’s Cross Roads Host Lions Club, Melvin Jones Progressive Fellow, Lions of Virginia Foundation Humanitarian award recipient, and receipient of a Lions Clubs International President’s Certificate of Appreciation, as well as a member of Phi Delta Kappa.
Brownie Troop Kicks Back
Wolftrap Elementary School 2nd grade Brownie Girl Scout Troop 4361 earned enough money through cookie sales to finance an outdoor adventure in late June at the Amber Grove Inn, a bed and breakfast in Mosley, just south of Richmond. The bed and breakfast resides on 25 acres and boards horses, goats, donkeys, miniature ponies and cats. The adventure included soccer, a hula-hoop contest, hiking, a lecture on conservation, ghost stories, a dip in the “hot pool,” and spending the night in their tents.
People Notes
The McLean-based Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) has launched a parent-education initiative to combat both teen drinking and impaired driving this summer. They are providing area parents of teens with “Ten Tips for a Safe Summer.” WRAP’s tips – available on the organization’s website at www.wrap.org – are designed to inform Greater Washington parents on how best to deter teen drinking during the dangerous summer months.
Brooke Nelson, a local educator from Vienna, has been awarded the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Educator by the summer residential Governor’s School for Humanities and visual and Performing Arts at the university of Richmond. Nelson was nominated for this honor by Priyanka Tandon, a student in the Humanities Program.
Each summer, 400 students from across Virginia who have exhibited exceptional ability in their particular discipline are invited to participate in either the Governor’s School for Humanities or Visual and Performing Arts. This intensive four-week program designed to encourage students’ individual growth as well a to challenge them to achieve personal excellence in their fields. These students are encouraged to recognize an educator who has had the greatest influence on their intellectual growth and achievement. Priyanka Tandon, along with the governor’s School and the University of Richmond, have recognized Brooke Nelson as such an exceptional educator.
Nelson, a former journalist, has taught Advanced Placement English and journalism at West Springfield since 1994.
Leadership Fairfax, Inc., held commencement for the Class of 2002 at the Westfield’s Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia, on June 13. Graduates underwent a ten-month training program in leadership.
Vienna resident Janet Hubbell, regional services system manager for Fairfax County’s Department of Systems Management for Human Services, is a recipient of the 2001 A. Heath Onthank Memorial Award, the highest award that Fairfax County gives its employees. Recipients received the award at the meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on June 17.
Otis D. “Skip” Coston Jr. of McLean has been elected rector of the University of Richmond Board of Trustees. The rector is equivalent to board chairman and serves a two-year term. Coston is president of Stonemark Corporation, a mergers and acquisitions intermediary firm. His wife, Jackie, is a member of the university’s Board of Associates. Coston has been a trustee since 1991.