Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
A group of residents from Leisure World of Virginia are now the official dance team of the Washington Wizards. ÒPlatinum Edition,Ó as the troupe is now called, has performed at two end-of-season games, including the playoff game Thursday, May 12, against the Miami Heat. Members of the Wizards ÒPlatinum EditionÓ include April Ask, Betty Buckeridge, Buck Buckeridge, Terry Crawford, Laurette Engelmann, Marion Holt, Judy Marzilli, Agatha Rappa, Anna Rogin, Norma Webb and Bonnie Wohlford. Following several weeks of thrice weekly rehearsals with a Wizards dancer and choreographer, the group has become a hit with Wizards fans.
Gennifer Chenault of Ashburn is now an advanced toastmaster. She completed the requirements for this award May 19 by doing an interpretive reading of part of Tennessee WilliamsÕ play ÒThe Night of the IguanaÓ at a meeting of the Loudoun Toastmasters Club. The award is given to those individuals who have completed more difficult speaking manuals and have acquired a greater degree of ability to speak in front of groups of people. Chenault is a proficient public speaker and is a past president of the club.
L0608-100 (38x25)
<cl>The Ashburn Ruritan Club honored students from 14 Ashburn-area schools with Outstanding Student Citizenship Awards at the 10th annual awards ceremony May 10. Students receiving the awards are, front row, from left, Kaitlin Oberg, Hillside Elementary; Alexandra Moore, Cedar Lane Elementary; Ashley Ferguson, Sanders Corner Elementary; middle row, Kelly Giltner, Farmwell Station Middle; Valerie Odell, Belmont Ridge Middle; Lindsay Krystofik, Selden's Landing Elementary; Abby Floyd, Mill Run; Lauren Mines, Dominion Trail Elementary; Zachary Bokulic, Belmont Station Middle; back row, Erica Detrick, Stone Bridge High; Amanda Jenkins, Stone Bridge High, winner of the Ruritan Civic Service Award; Kathleen Ferraren, St. Theresa School; Quinlan Mitchell, Eagle Ridge Middle; Christine Robinson, Broad Run High; and not pictured, Hannah Wilson, Ashburn Elementary.
L0608-103 (15x22)
Photo 06/08: Martin_NewsPaper.jpg
<cl>Omasta
Martin Michael Omasta graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, May 28. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He majored in computer science. His branch is Air Defense Artillery. After a training assignment at Fort Bliss, Texas, Lt. Omasta will be deployed to Germany.
Lt. Omasta, a 2001 graduate of Oakton High School, lived in Vienna, when he entered USMA. His family moved to South Riding in 2003. He is the son of Robert and Frieda Omasta, and brother of Jason Omasta.
As a cadet at West Point, Omasta served as team leader, platoon sergeant, supply sergeant, administrative officer, section leader and squad leader. He provided basic training for U.S. Army Recruits at Fort Jackson, S.C., and served as a biathlon referee and orienteering coach. He received the Commandant's Coin, the Cyber Defense Exercise Coin, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and Airborne Wings. He achieved the highest academic rank in Air Defense and was on the DeanÕs List. His project team was awarded for the Best Computer Science/Information Systems Engineering Project.
The Loudoun County Democratic Committee (LCDC) announces the winner of its 4th annual $1,000 Hetzel scholarship, Megan Burns, a senior and honor student at Broad Run High School. Formerly the Fred Hetzel Scholarship, the scholarship has been recently renamed to include Billie Hetzel who died earlier this year. Both Fred and Billie Hetzel were active Democrats in Loudoun County. The essay question this year asked "Is a diverse society a valuable asset to a democratic society? Can diversity be positive and negative?" To read Burns' essay, go to www.lcdems.com.
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) announces the 10th District's appointments to the nation's service academies including Robert Edmonds, Sterling, Potomac Falls High School, to the U.S. Military Academy; David W. Nelson II, Ashburn, Notre Dame Academy, to the U.S. Miliatry Academy; Geoffrey Ryan Becker, Sterling, home schooled, to the U.S. Air Force Academy; Spencer Butt, Sterling, Potomac Falls High School, to the U.S. Air Force Academy; and Robert Edmonds, Sterling, Potomac Falls High School, to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The appointees will enter the service academies in July 2005.
AAA honors local student, Cameron Turner of Sully Elementary. Turner is one of 18 students from the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area honored as an outstanding school safety patroller and heroic first responder. Alison Starling of WJLA-TV presented Cameron with a plaque and a $150 U.S. savings bond during a special ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Reston.