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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 Goose Creek District of the Boy Scouts of America recently recognized the contributions of three Loudoun area Boy Scout Volunteer leaders at the annual District Dinner, which was held at the Community Lutheran Church in Sterling, May 14. The honorees were Bill Cavanaugh of Ashburn, Tom Inman of Purcellville and Earl Wells of Sterling. Each Scout leader received the District Award of Merit, which is the highest award available to a Scout Leader at the District level.
Cavanaugh, a retired Marine Corps officer, was honored for his contributions as district commissioner representing the troops sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and for his work as commissioner over the monthly Scout Round Table meetings, in which Scout leader training and program information is provided.
Inman earned his Eagle Scout award as a young Boy Scout and followed up by serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 1158 in Loudoun County. More recently, Inman served as training commissioner for the Goose Creek District for the past three years and is being recognized for that service.
Wells has been serving as a Scout leader since 1997 as a Cub Scout Pack Committee chairman and has served more recently as the vice chairman for membership. Wells is recognized for his work in helping to establish new Scout Troops and assuring that they are provided with trained leaders and are properly organized.
The Goose Creek District of the Boy Scouts of America announces that a new district chairman had been selected, Dave Parker, who had served for three years as volunteer chair for the Loudoun area Scouting organization. During that time, the Goose Creek District received the coveted "Quality District" award from the National Boy Scouts organization, recognizing the quality of the Scouting program in this area. The new District Committee chairman is Drew Mrenna, a long-time Scout leader in this area, who most recently served as district commissioner.
Air Force Airman Adam M. Simmons has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Simmons is the son of Steve and Suzanne Ainey of Ashburn. In 2003, the airman graduated from Westfield High School, Chantilly.
The Loudoun County Department of Social Services hosted a Foster Family Appreciation Luncheon at the Outback Steakhouse in Sterling May 21 to honor the agency's foster families. Bashar Kassir, manager/proprietor of the restaurant, sponsored the event by opening his restaurant early for the group and donating all of the food.
Robert Chirles, director of Loudoun County Department of Social Services welcomed the foster families, who received certificates of appreciation, and other guests to the luncheon.
A plaque and bouquet of red roses were presented to Loudoun County's Foster Parents of the Year, Raine
and Bill Dickey. Debra Comer received a clock in recognition of her 10 years of service. Family picture frames were given to Nancy and Fred Casares, Ginnie and Vic Dively, Mary Jackson and Frances Tibbs for
their five years of service. Nancy and Fred Casares and Judi and Toni Williams were applauded for going above and beyond the call of duty this past year and received plaques to commemorate their extraordinary efforts.
Community service awards were presented to Pat and Ray Wimmer for their volunteer work on behalf of foster children, Sandra Glenney, guardian ad litem, for assisting with pre-service training for foster parents, and Kassir, owner of the Outback Steakhouse, for donating the use of his restaurant and the food for the appreciation event.
Anna Prinz, daughter of Thomas Prinz and Robin Skinner-Prinz of Leesburg, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Earlham College during commencement ceremonies May 7.
Tyler Pearson, Stone Bridge High School, was selected to attend this summer's Governor's School for Humanities at the University of Richmond, July 3-30. This four-week program of classes, workshops, field trips and special events is designed to encourage individual growth and challenge students to achieve personal excellence in their fields. Pearson was also chosen to represent his high school at Boys State of Virginia, June 19-25, at Liberty University. Entering his senior year, Pearson is a varsity football and baseball player with above a 4.2 GPA.
The Loudoun Toastmasters Club elected officers for the upcoming 2005-2006 terms. Reina Weiner, resident of Lansdowne, was elected president. Other elected officers include Kim Hovda, Leesburg, vice president, education; Bob Vasquez, Leesburg, vice president, public relations; Jim Schoppet, Herndon, vice president, membership; and Susan Ling, Reston, club secretary.
Goose Creek District Club will be holding its annual Cub Scout Day Camp June 20-24 and June 27-July 1, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds. More than 400 Cub Scouts are registered to attend this year.
Equality Loudoun announces that the Capital Pride Planning Committee has selected its acting president, David Weintraub, as one of nine Capital Pride Heroes for 2005.
These individuals are nominated from within the Washington, D.C., area community and honored for "extraordinary efforts to bring full equality to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities," according to the press release.
Equality Loudoun is a nonpartisan community and advocacy organization working to improve the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in Loudoun County, and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The "Horsing Around Loudoun," jury chose 32 artists from numerous submitted entries. Designs ranged from the literal to the whimsical, with names such as "Irises," ÒEquus Cumulus," "Horsefly," and "Horse and Bogey." The jury evaluated artistic excellence, creativity, originality, variety and weather resistance. "Horsing Around Loudoun" is a countywide, outdoor arts project sponsored by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Loudoun's equine tradition. Artists will transform 32 life-size sculptures into works of art. Sculptures will be on public display around the county for about three months.
The winning, local artists include Conor Backman, Purcellville;
Leonor Aluim Brazao, South Riding; Shirley A. Brown, Sterling; Suzanne DeSaix, Lovettsville; Barbara Drumheller, Leesburg; Jill Evans-Kavaldjian, Lovettsville; Penny Hauffe, Leesburg; Carmen Barros Howell, Purcellville; Amy Kinshella, Ashburn; King Street Studios, Leesburg; Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg; Anne Lukas, Sterling; Lindsey Morgan/Leslie Tharp, Ashburn; Elaine Nunnally, Sterling; Constance Pallella, Leesburg; Christina Sanders, Potomac Falls; Silvia Sovza, Potomac Falls; and Cynthia L. Stowers/Ivonne L. Couret, Sterling.
Businesses wanting to sponsor a horse can visit http://www.horsingaroundloudoun.org or call Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce at 703-777-2176.
Nicolas Mangus, a senior at Dominion High School, was awarded the 14th annual Dr. Juergen Reinhardt Memorial Scouting Scholarship for his record of service in both his school and the community, his commitment to scouting principles and participation in extracurricular activities. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mangus of Potomac Falls, Mangus has actively participated in scouting for 13 years and has held various troop leadership positions, including patrol leader, senior patrol leader and historian. He has also participated in National Honor Society, the Dominion High School's cross county team, the senior class council and won the MADD essay contest. The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior planning to pursue additional education, residing in Loudoun County, who has demonstrated a commitment to education, scouting and the community. Mangus joins previous winners: Jonathan Tew, Cheryl Johnston and Daniel Morris, Loudoun Valley High School; Bobbie Barile of Broad Run High School; Andres Peres and Geoffrey Lawson of Park View High School; Matthew Bingham, Gregory Mayo, Andrew Mayo, Casey Quinn and Andrew Heironimus of Loudoun County High School; and Steven Yarbrough of Stone Bridge High School.