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The Child and Family Network Centers’ (CFNC) Executive Director, Barbara Mason, has been selected as a semifinalist for the 5th Annual Volvo for Life Awards. From now until Feb. 4, 2007, Barbara’s name will appear on the ballot at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com, where the American public will be able to vote for her nomination. Semi-finalists with the greatest number of votes will become finalists -- and receive $25,000-$50,000 in funding for their organization and be honored at the 5th Anniversary Awards Gala in New York City. For over 20 years, Barbara has worked to improve the odds for Northern Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens, young children and this is an opportunity to honor her efforts and raise additional dollars to support CFNC’s comprehensive programs.
The Austin College Department of Music sponsors several vocal performance groups that present a variety of music in the Sherman community and beyond. Alexandria, Virginia
* Adele Jean, graduate of Bishop Ireton High School is the daughter of Nora Grubbs and Bruce Jean of Alexandria. She has joined the chorale department.
The Alexandria Singers are pleased to announce that, following an extensive regional search, Meg Slachetka has been selected as the group’s new accompanist, effective Oct. 17. She succeeds Lisa Gibbs-Smith, who served as accompanist for six years. In May, 2006, Ms. Slachetka received her Bachelor of Arts in music (Magna Cum Laude), with a second concentration in government, from the College of William & Mary, where she accompanied the Eastern Virginia School of the Performing Arts, the William & Mary Choir, the Department of Music, College of William & Mary, and the Department of Music, Hackettstown High School. While in college, Ms. Slachetka held numerous leadership positions, including President and Social Chair of the William & Mary Choir, Assistant Secretary for Student Services for the William & Mary Student Assembly, Vice-President of Omicron Delta Kappa, Vocal Director for the Sinfonicron Light Opera Company, Class of 2006 Vice-President of the William & Mary Student Assembly, and Vice-President of Delta Omicron (an honors music fraternity). Currently, she resides in Arlington and works on Capitol Hill.
A special presentation award was made to Gerry Hyland, Mount Vernon District Supervisor, for his continued emphasis and support of youth education in Mount Vernon District. The award was made by Mount Vernon Kiwanis at its annual Charter Night held at the Mount Vernon Country Club on Oct 18. Gerry was presented with a certificate and a plaque citing his support of youth education in Mount Vernon District. It is in line with the motto of Mount Vernon Kiwanis, “Serving the Children of the World”.
Greenspring is proud to announce the appointment of Karla Hibbs as the community’s new Director of Resident Life. Hibbs, who joined Greenspring in 1997, will take on a position previously held by Robin Gliboff, who was recently promoted to Associate Executive Director of the community.
Prior to this appointment, Hibbs served as Greenspring’s Community Services Manager and was responsible for the management of community resources and volunteer programs. As Director of Resident Life, she will lead a number of critical community functions including social work, pastoral ministries, gift planning, community television, volunteer programs, intermissions and home health and home support.
Over the years, Hibbs has been instrumental in developing the culture at Greenspring and inspiring the creation of more than 180 clubs and organizations that currently function at the retirement community. Hibbs graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg with a degree in american studies and teaching certification and later received a Masters in education and counseling from George Mason University. She is one of Greenspring’s longest serving employees having joined Greenspring as Director of Community Relations and Outreach, before the first building was ever built.
Over 200 people attended the Alexandria Commission for the Arts’ 2006 Alex Awards on Friday, Oct. 20 to honor outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to the cultural fabric of the Alexandria community. Chip Brienza, WGMS on-air personality, served as the master of ceremonies for the program, held at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center. The winners were recognized by Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille and Pat Miller, chair of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. The 2006 Alex Award winners include:
* Special Recognition Alex Award – Suzanne S. Brock was recognized for devoting herself to encouraging and supporting the arts for the last 36 years. A musician and the mother of musicians, she has brought the highest quality of musicianship to the Alexandria community. She created the mechanism for Alexandria children desiring exposure to high quality music with that opportunity.
* Excellence in an Artistic Discipline – Eclipse Chamber Orchestra received the Award for offering outstanding musical performances and opportunities for Alexandria audiences to hear world-class musicians and conductors. Over the past fourteen years, Eclipse Chamber Orchestra’s youth organization has prepared hundreds of young musicians to pursue their education in the arts.
* Excellence in Service to the Arts – Gwen Harrison Lockhart, an artist herself, was recognized for guiding the Art League through a difficult growing period, reorganizing the board and the organization and encouraging others to be involved.
* Outstanding Contributions in Arts Education – Laura Wollman spent 36 years teaching in the Alexandria City Public Schools. She was recognized for creating arts-across-the-curriculum programs and enriching learning for Alexandria children.
Michelle Lee, President and CEO of STG International, Inc., a premier provider of professional, medical and technical services to the federal government, was named to the "Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business" list. Michelle Lee founded STG International in 1997 in the basement of her home. Today, she has grown the company into a multi-million dollar enterprise, spanning two thirds of the country with more than 1,000 employees. Her expertise to recruit, retain and motivate superior employees is a key to her success. The company is headquartered in Alexandria.
For more information about STG International, visit
www.stginternational.com.
Louis C. Hicks, Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum has been elected to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) Executive Council. He was elected by his peers Sept. 29, at the association’s annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga.
Hicks holds a B.A. in psychology from University of Texas- Austin (1975); a B.F.A. in studio art from University of Texas- Austin (1978); and a M.F.A. in African art history from Howard University (1992). Hicks began working in the museum field in 1980 as the George Washington Carver Museum Directorin Austin, Texas. For a brief period, he served as an independent curatorand special events coordinator. From 1992-1998, he served as the public programs coordinator at the Smithsonian Institution's Anacostia Museum. In that position, he performed a variety of duties as curator, registrar, public programs coordinator, publicist, and exhibits preparer.
Louis Hicks has been the Museum Director since 1998 and has been instrumental in helping to create the permanent exhibit "Securing the Blessings of Liberty." At the Alexandria Black History Museum. Hicks is responsible for providing general supervision of all staff and volunteers, overseeing the professional care of two historic buildings (a museum and a library) and a historic park; directing the development of a permanent collection which interprets Alexandria’s African Americana history and more.
Heather Kiefer of Alexandria, spent two weeks in September befriending and teaching disadvantaged youths at a school and children’s home on the outskirts of Chennai in India's southern Tamil Nadu state. She was part of a team
of volunteers coordinated by Global Volunteers, a St. Paul, Minn.-based nonprofit organization that offers short-term service opportunities in 20 countries around the world. Also participating was Kiefer's mother, Jean Freeman of Hilton Head Island, S.C. Kiefer enjoyed interacting with students and teachers at St. Thomas Assisi Home and a nearby orphanage. Kiefer and fellow volunteers devoted their days to teaching and playing with the children. By immersing themselves in the day-to-day rhythms of India, they gained unique, non tourist perspectives on this fascinating culture and built bonds of friendship with young and old.
Fourteen-year-old Kyle Ahn, who attends Mount Vernon High School and volunteers at Sacramento Neighborhood Center, was asked to perform the National Anthem for the Fannie Mae Foundation Help The Homeless Mini Walk on Saturday, Nov. 18. Kyle Ahn, also known professionally as "Vocalz" and
his organization, Mz Vocalz Music & Affiliates, contributed more than $500 already to the cause in an effort to prevent homelessness in the Sacramento Community.
On Nov. 6, Timothy T. Gleeson was sworn in as Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne's new Chief Deputy of his agency's Judicial and Operations Bureau. Chief Deputy Gleeson joins the Sheriff's Office after 25 years with the Alexandria Police Department, where he served in the Criminal Investigations Section, as a Youth Sex Crimes Detective, Auto Theft Investigator, Academy Instructor and Patrol Officer. Chief Gleeson has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, to include a Meritorious Service Award from the U.S. Attorney's Office; National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Gleeson holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa. Highly recognized, Chief Gleeson holds several honors and awards from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, National Association of Police Organizations, Sunrise Optimist Club and City of Alexandria.