Reston resident Alicia Harder, 11, started baking cookies with a few friends at the age of 7 to donate to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. The project soon expanded to include her scout troop, book club, her brother's friends, her neighborhood and people who live out-of-town. Now an annual event, her project produces about 50 dozen cookies during the holidays and approximately $3,000 in cash for the shelter each year.
Daniel Fleischer of Reston discusses international affairs with the University of Maryland's mascot, Testudo, at the third annual "They're Still Hungry Food Drive," sponsored by the Northern Virginia University of Maryland Alumni, Reston Interfaith and Giant Food on Jan. 19. More than 5,000 food items were collected by a dozen volunteers for distribution to needy area families.
The American Cancer Society Reston Relay for Life will be held May 31-June 1 at South Lakes High School in Reston. Shown: Virginia Del. Ken Plum (D-36) reviews the state proclamation presented to the Reston Relay For Life for its "unique and valuable contributions to fight cancer" as state Sen. Janet Howell looks on.
At the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday celebration held on Jan. 20, the MLK Celebration Planning Committee presented the 2003 Community Service Awards named for Dr. King. The annual presentations recognize "outstanding service to the Reston community by people who contribute significantly to Reston in a manner consistent with the teachings of Dr. King, and who advance his goals for all members of our community."
This year's winners were;
Gabriel Itoka, president of the Stonegate Village Residents Council, recognized for "his leadership and extraordinary efforts in support of the passage of the Southgate Referendum which passed overwhelmingly and will result in a recreation complex serving thousands of Reston's lowest income residents."
Bertha Hoskins, a longtime Reston resident and current vice president of the Reston Association Board of Directors, was recognized with the same citation as Itoka.
Susan Jones, longtime Reston resident and civic leader, current president of the Reston Association Board of Directors, was recognized with the same citation as Itoka.
Roger Lowen, longtime Reston resident and civic leader, was recognized with the same citation as Itoka.
Kenneth Plum, representative in the Virginia House of Delegates, for a "lifetime of work and achievement for our schools and for public education across the Commonwealth of Virginia."
Janice Scott, a longtime Reston resident and leader in the Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church, was recognized "for her long-standing efforts on behalf of the community and especially for her work on and leadership of the Planning Committee, which each year organizes and holds the activities leading up to the birthday celebration and the daylong celebration itself."
Reston Interfaith, an interdenominational organization, was recognized for its programs and support activities for the neediest members of the community.
Alexander Covington of Reston has achieved honor roll with a grade point average of between 80-89 at Mercersburg Academy for the fall term. Mercersburg Academy is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school in south-central Pennsylvania. Covington is in the 12th grade, and is the son of Philip Covington and Ann Covington, both of Reston.