One hundred Langley High School Orchestra students traveled by bus to Boston, Mass., on April 22 for a four-day adventure that featured their participation in an exclusive competition, the Festival of Gold, in Boston's Symphony Hall. Langley was one of only 10 invitees and the only orchestra on the eastern seaboard to be invited. Many of the schools that competed in the festival, which were from the United States and Canada, focus solely on the performing arts. In addition to touring Boston, going on a Harbor Cruise and relaxing at Six Flags amusement park, the orchestra students attended a Master class led by members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra's final concert of the year will be on Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Langley High School auditorium, 6520 Georgetown Pike. For information about the show call 703-287-2967.
Maria Kanakis of McLean High School is one of 36 Northern Virginia high school seniors named winners of the Long & Foster $200,000 Scholarship Program. Outside financial aid experts selected the 200 total winners from across the company's seven-state Mid-Atlantic region and the District of Columbia based on: school leadership, academic success, extracurricular activities, community involvement, work outside of school, recommendation letters and personal essays. Each winner received a $1,000 scholarship to help them attend school in the fall.
Registration is now open for Children's Summer Art Camp at McLean Project for the Arts. This popular program is held at the McLean Community Center. Week-long classes include Animals in Art, Illustrating Stories and Paper Creations for first- through third-graders; 3-D Art Adventures, Cartooning and Drawing and Painting from Nature for fourth- through sixth-graders. Also offered are a variety of Abrakadoodle classes for children ages 2-12. Children may attend any number of sessions. Tuition is $125 per session; $135 for non-residents. Visit www.mpaart.org or call 703-790-1953.
Registration is going on now for summer classes at Northern Virginia Community College. A variety of options are available, as students can choose from more than 160 programs of study, three different class sessions and options that include night, weekend and online courses.
High school students getting a “jump start” on college can take classes held in one 12-week and two six-week sessions. The second six-week session runs from June 27 to August 8. Go online to www.nvcc.edu/schedule for a complete list of summer classes, or call 703-323-3196.
New students can apply for admission online at www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect, or visit any of the NVCC campus locations. Students that have taken class at NVCC any time in the last three years can register online, over the telephone by calling 703-323-3770, or in person at any campus.
The Great Falls Art Center is now taking registrations for July and August's annual Summer Art Camp. The 2005 art camp for children ages 6 and up will be every day, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the art studio on Walker Road. Campers may sign up for one week, two weeks or more. The art instruction will be different for each of the eight weeks. For an application call 703-759-3867 or e-mail greatfallsart@yahoo.com.
Starshine Theater at the Langley School Summer Studio in McLean is offering a summer Drama Camp for actors aged 9-16. All those enrolled in the camp will receive speaking roles in Starshine's original production of "Hang-Gliding Through the Sky of Mind — The Life of Leonardo da Vinci." Students will also receive solo/lead opportunities in singing (live and recorded), action/dance choreography, battle sequences and assistant director roles. This intensive performance program combines set and costume design, coaching in stage movement, voice and acting techniques and a CD soundtrack for each participating family. Rehearsals, recording session and performances take place at from July 11-23. Contact Patricia Budwig, play director, at StarshineTheater@aol.com or 703-790-9050 to enroll.
Potomac Adventure Camp offers children ages 12-15 the chance to explore the Potomac River. Campers can discover the mysteries of this naturally and historically unique waterway by rafting, hiking and biking at different locations. This year’s camp will feature an overnight camping excursion in Maryland. Potomac Adventure Camp is offered by Riverbend Park, 9200 Old Dominion Drive, Great Falls, from July 25-29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Overnight camping will be Thursday, July 28. Five-day session is $300. Call 703-759-9018.
The Paladin Program at Chesterbrook Academy is now accepting registration for the Paladin Academic Summer Camp, a program for students in need of educational intervention, enrichment, and/or retention of previously learned concepts. It is a highly structured program with a very small student-to-teacher ratio. The camp will run from June 20-August 12, and students can sign up for two-week increments. Contact Katie McGahan, Paladin program director, at 703-397-0555 or 703-404-0202, or email Katie.McGahan@nlcinc.com.
Junior Ranger Summer Camp. Great Falls Park offers an adventurous, two-day program including a variety of activities such as hikes and nature-related projects that educate young people about the park and the natural environment they live in. For children 8-11. The four sessions are on June 28/29, July 13/14, July 27/28 and Aug. 10/11 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. Openings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 703-285-2965.
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund honors Americans in the armed forces who have sacrificed life or limb by providing college scholarships to their children. Freedom Alliance is now accepting applications for the 2005-2006 academic year. The application deadline is June 30. Freedom Alliance is accepting applications from dependent children of U.S. military personnel who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty during the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, Philippines, etc. Students must be enrolled, currently or by September, at an accredited college, university or vocational school. For more information about the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund or to download an application, visit www.freedomalliance.org or call 800-475-6620.
Robert Crawford of McLean competed in Johnson & Wales University’s 16th Annual National High School Recipe Contest on Feb. 12 in Denver. He is the son of Robin and Charles Crawford and attends McLean High School.
Crawford is one of 20 students from across the nation selected as finalists out of a pool of more than 500 applicants. His recipe is “Seared Scallops with Purple Potato Puree, Corn Chutney and Red Pepper Coulis.”
Each year, Johnson & Wales invites senior-year high school and vocational students to participate in the recipe contest. The contest consists of two categories: (1) a healthful family dinner for four, and (2) healthful dessert. Contestants are asked to follow the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association nutrition guidelines when planning their menu entries.
Scholarship prizes are awarded for both categories, which are judged separately on the basis of taste, cost effectiveness, ease of preparation, presentation and appearance, nutritional value, originality, calorie content and creativity. The grand-prize winner in each category will be awarded a renewable full-tuition scholarship to Johnson & Wales, valued at over $75,000. Each first runner-up will be awarded a $7,500 renewable tuition scholarship (valued at up to $30,000), and each second runner-up a $5,000 renewable tuition scholarship (valued at up to $20,000). All other finalists will receive $3,500 renewable tuition scholarships (valued at up to $14,000).
Volunteer Fairfax and the ExxonMobil Foundation have selected 60 Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. nonprofit organization participants in the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program (CSJP) for 2005.
The ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program provides full-time, undergraduate-level college students with an eight-week, paid internship to experience operations in a nonprofit community environment. ExxonMobil Foundation funds the intern salaries and Volunteer Fairfax's administrative expenses for the program. The program also trains participating organizations in how to recruit and select interns and how to organize their summer internships.
Participating interns also have the opportunity to attend developmental seminars on resume writing, interview tips, workplace ethics and etiquette, as well as to complete a group community service project.
College students interested in the ExxonMobil-funded internship may visit the Volunteer Fairfax Web site, www.volunteerfairfax.org, to obtain a list of participating local agencies, internship descriptions and agency contacts. Interested college students should apply directly to the selected agencies.
The Community Summer Jobs Program began in 1971 in New York City. Over the past decade, the program has committed more than $4.9 million to support almost 2,600 community summer internships. First offered in the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia area in 2000, the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program has funded more than 300 local internships.
Volunteer Fairfax was established thirty years ago to mobilize people and resources to meet community needs. The center is a vital community resource for volunteers and nonprofit organizations and public agencies. For more information, visit the Volunteer Fairfax Web site at www.volunteerfairfax.org or call Karla Ruiz at 703-246-3460.
Laura P. Fletcher of Falls Church, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, was awarded by Discover Card with a $2,500 scholarship for her achievements, both in school and the community.
The Longfellow Middle School Chess Club took home the Scholastic First-Place Trophy at the 37th Annual Virginia Open, Jan. 28-30, in Springfield.
The team won first place among Scholastic teams at the tournament by scoring 8 1/2 points for the top four players on the team. The second place team (a high school) scored seven points.
This annual tournament is one of the most important in Virginia. In order of USCF rating, the members of the chess club are Aryan Khojandi (3 1/2 points), Victor Nguyen (2 points), Kevin Deisz (1 point), Shaan Ahmad (2 points), Arman Carter (1 point) and Rithvik Nagaraju.
McLean High School has formally begun plans to commemorate its 50th anniversary this Oct. 21 and 22 with the launch of www.mclean50.com and the announcement of several festivities to take place throughout its milestone weekend.
The biggest event will be the HBL McLean High School 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Oct. 22. The gala will have live and DJ music, dancing, food, a cash bar, individual class reunions and more. In addition to Saturday's Homecoming football game and evening gala, the first-ever McLean High School Golf Classic will take place at Reston National Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 21, at 11:30 a.m. Corporate sponsorships are encouraged. Friday night will feature tailgate party-style festivities at McLean High School, including a pep rally, bonfire, food, drinks, class reunions, fine arts performances and tours of the newly renovated facilities. On Saturday afternoon before, during and after the football game "A Taste of McLean" will feature local restaurant owners and other merchants who will be on hand to allow attendees to sample various foods, beverages, and other services.
The community is also encouraged to donate to the school. Individuals can earmark their contributions to athletic boosters, band, chorus, drama, PTSA, or one of their own choice. Donations can be made at www.mclean50.com, and those who contribute over $100 will have their names engraved on a commemorative plaque that will be housed in the school lobby.
Volunteer Fairfax hosts the Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute August 8-12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The institute is free for local high school students and provides a unique combination of leadership and community service skills that prepare them for active roles in improving the quality of life in their community. At the end of the institute, students will be charged with the planning and implementation of a service project to be completed on October 22, 2005. Students will be required to attend an additional planning session on September 14. PYLI is free. The program is open to students entering grades 10-12. Applications are available at www.volunteerfairfax.org or by contacting Emily Swenson at 703-246-3460 or eswenson@volunteerfairfax.org.
Lee Betancourt and Vyomika Jairam of McLean High School won awards in the American Society of Newspaper Editors' Quill and Scroll 2005 International Writing and Photo Contest. Betancourt won in the editorial category, and Jairam won for a sports story. Winners receive Quill and Scroll's National Award Gold Key, and seniors named winners are eligible to apply for one of the $500 Edward J. Nell Memorial Scholarships.
Carter B. Simpson Jr. of Great Falls, an 11th-grader at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, has earned high honors for the winter term. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carter B. Simpson.
Kurt Brendley, the son of Keith and Greta Brendley of McLean, received the Daedalian Award on April 23, during Family Weekend at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal. The order of Daedalians is a fraternity of commissioned pilots from all military services. The award recognizes an outstanding cadet in the junior class who demostrates an understanding and appreciation of patriotism, love of country and service to the nation, who indicates the potential and a desire to pursue a military career, and who ranks in the upper 10 percent of the Air Force Junior ROTC junior class and the upper 20 percent of the school junior class.
Dianne Heath, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Heath of Great Falls, received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award on April 23rd at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal. Dianne is a senior. This award is given to an Aerospace IV cadet who ranks in the upper 25 percent of their aerospace science class and their high school class, who demonstrates qualities of dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership ability and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of the ROTC training.
Yuliya Orlova, the daughter of Gregory Orlov and Natalya Orlova of McLean, was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Latin National Honor Society at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA. Yuliya is a junior. The ceremony took place on April 23 during Family Weekend at the Academy. To be selected for the National Honor Society, a student must have earned at least a grade point average of 3.5 after having attended R-MA for at least one semester, and excel in the areas of leadership, scholarship, service and character. To be selected for the Latin National Honor Society, a student must have earned at least a grade point average of 3.5 or better in Latin, and a 3.0 GPA overall.
Janet H. Kim of McLean, who attends Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology in Alexandria, has been selected as a 2005 Presidential Scholar. Kim was cited in the nonfiction writing category. Kim serves as editor-in-chief of the school's literary magazine, captain of the debate team, a member of the Model U.N. and a biology tutor. She plans to attend Stanford University in the fall.
The scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in academics or the arts, as well as for their leadership, character and civic contributions during the program's national recognition events in Washington, D.C. from June 25-28. This four-day celebration includes educational seminars, meetings with representatives of the three branches of government, a morning of community service, an exhibition of Scholar artwork, and a public performance in the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center by the Presidential Scholars in the Arts. The events culminate in the presentation to the students of the Presidential Scholars Medallion in a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
Menyoung Lee and Sarah Marzen, both of McLean, are among four students at Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology who have been selected for the 2005 United States Physics Olympiad Team. To prepare for the hardest physics questions the students may ever encounter, they went University of Maryland, College Park on May 14. The teammates will spend a week at the physics training camp conducting lab experiments, taking exams, and hearing presentations from prominent scientists. The students, all nominated by teacher John Dell, scored higher than over a thousand other students to earn a spot on the prestigious team. The top five students from the camp will be named to the traveling team and will fly to Spain for the International Physics Olympiad competition, to be held this year in the city of Salamanca, July 3-12.
Almost 1,000 third-graders in eight Washington, D.C.-area public and private schools are learning basic money management skills by experiencing an innovative classroom curriculum designed to teach children how to make smart money choices. Students from St. Luke's Catholic School in McLean are beginning the curriculum, and third-graders from Union Mill Elementary School and third- and fourth-graders from Terra Centre Elementary School have recently completed the program.
To help schools teach children financial responsibility, Lincoln Financial Group is introducing a financial literacy initiative called the Value of MoneySM. At the heart of this initiative is the Money Savvy Kids Basic Personal Finance curriculum, a standards-based, cross-curriculum supplement developed by educators at Money Savvy Generation and customized for the program sponsor, Lincoln Financial Group.
Suhyoung Choi, from Churchill Road Elementary School in McLean, won the Grand Prize for the elementary division of Metro's 2005 Student Poster Contest. Grand Prize posters will be showcased on the Metro Web site, www.MetroOpensDoors.com. Sunhyung Chung, from Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean, won Third Place in the Virginia elementary division; Jaeyoung Choi, from Cooper Middle School in McLean, won First Place in the Virginia junior division; and Jessica Lee, from Potomac School of McLean, won Second Place in the Virginia junior division. All winning posters will be displayed at Metro Center in the fall once school reopens. A reception was held for the winning student artists, their parents and teachers at Metro headquarters on Friday, May 13.
Nina Huffman, a senior at Langley High School, won a second-place award and $1,500 at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. She also won a $500 award from the American Association for Artificial Intelligence, a trip to China to attend the China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest from the China Association for Science and Technology, a $1,000 award from the International Society for Optical Engineering and a $1,000 Honorable Mention scholarship award from Robert Luby Jr. of IBM.
Kathleen Clement, a sophomore at Langley High School won $3,000 in U.S. savings bonds, a certificate of achievement and a gold medallion from the U.S. Army for her project “Percent Conservation of the Human Insulin Molecule vs. CNS Development in Lower Organisms” at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.