The Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center co-sponsored the annual James A. Bland Music Scholarship Competition on Feb. 4 in the Reston Community Center Theater at the Hunter Woods Shopping Center.
The first, second and third place finishers in the vocal and instrumental categories received Series EE Bonds of $200, $150, and $100, respectively. The highest-level finisher who can compete at the regional level will have the opportunity to go on to the district and state levels for even larger scholarships.
Ten instrumentalists and eight vocalists entered this year’s contest. A local first place winner was Abigail Runkle, mezzo-soprano from Herndon, singing Voi Che Sapete by Mozart. Second place finishers included Heather Hollands, an alto from Reston.
The Bland Scholarship Competition gives recognition to deserving music students in local high school, middle school and elementary school. And all 18 entrants profited from this valuable learning experience and strong community attendance.
James Miller, an eighth grade student at Sterling Middle School, received a Valor Award on Dec. 14 from Reston Fire Station No. 39. James was selected for the award for his actions after his father suffered serious injuries falling from a tree stand during a hunting trip. Miller made two attempts to find an occupied house more than a quarter of a mile away, returning to check on his father between trips. Rescue workers responded quickly and James was there to guide them to his father.