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 Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
At the American Library Association's mid-winter conference in San Antonio, Texas, the Loudoun County Public Library received the 2006 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in library public relations.
The award is one of the most coveted and the most prestigious award given by the American Library Association. Loudoun County Public Library received the award for its program "Hanging Out Rocks!" a campaign that responded to the needs of teens in Loudoun County's growing community by giving them a place that they could call their own.
The award is jointly sponsored by the H.W. Wilson Foundation, Bronx, N.Y., with the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA). The award will be presented to the Loudoun County Public Library at the American Library Association's annual conference in New Orleans, June 2006.
Army Pvt. Lee Bun has graduated from the Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist One Unit Station Training (OSUT) at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the 16-week training program, the trainee completed basic military training to learn basic soldiering disciplines and skills followed by advanced individual training as a field artillery automated tactical data systems specialist.
As members of the Army's field artillery team, the soldiers are primarily responsible for operating field artillery tactical data systems on a multiple launch rocket system team. The teams are used to support infantry and tank units while supplementing cannon artillery in combat and are involved in launching various missiles and ammunitions in quick strikes during combat.
The soldiers are trained to establish, maintain and operate communication systems, assist in preparation of computer centers, prepare field artillery tactical data systems, and determine target location using computers or manual calculations. Skills training included methods of computing target locations, ammunition handling techniques, gun, missile and rocket system operations, and artillery tactics.
Bun is the son of Nary Argueta of Gaithersburg, Md., and brother of Rosa Bun of Sterling.
Army National Guard Sgt. Matthew J. Jackson has completed the Warrior Leadership Course as part of the Army's Noncommissioned Officer Education System.
The course is designed to provide the Army with soldiers who can visualize, describe, and execute squad-level operations in varied operational environments and battlefields. The course teaches specialists how to be a noncommissioned officer and focus on leading, training, caring, maintaining, and warrior skills. The training prepares specialists for promotion to sergeant and for assignments in teams, crews and squads, which symbolizes their transition from "follower" to "leader." Every student receives detailed squad-level combat leader training, and the learner-centered and outcome-based approach reinforces all small unit tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Jackson is a driver with the Joint Visitors Bureau assigned to the 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. The sergeant has served in the military for four years.
He is the son of Randy D. and Anne M. Jackson of Knox St., Millinocket, Maine.
His wife, Abigail, is the daughter of David Aikman of Round Hill and Nonie Aikman of Falls Church.
Jackson received a bachelor's degree in the year 2000 from Simon's Rock College, Great Barrington, Mass.
Jennifer Ashley Hiltwine, daughter of Craig and Deborah Hiltwine of Sterling, has been named to the President's List for the 2005 fall semester at Elon University in North Carolina. To be included on the President's List, as student must have no grade below an A- in a minimum of 12 semester hours.
Hiltwine graduated from Broad Run High School and is a communications major.
The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) awarded 25 grants totaling $123,150 to assist Virginia organizations in their efforts to research and interpret Virginia's history, to explore issues of importance to Virginians and to showcase Virginia's folklife and cultural heritage.
Recipients of the grants include museums, colleges and universities, African-American heritage organizations, civic groups, libraries and historic sites. The funds will be used to support documentary projects, exhibits, oral history research and collections, database creation, film festivals, compact disc music development and production and conferences. Locally the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Purcellville, received a $1,250 grant for Between the Hills, to support planning for a long-term project that will interpret the finding of an archaeological and historical research project that has uncovered an intact 19th century historic landscape within the boundaries of the largest publicly accessible natural area in Loudoun County, the state's fastest-growing locality.
Air Force Airman Kristina M. Forte 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.
She is the daughter of Glenda and William Kreijanovsky of Sterling. The airman graduated in the year 2000 from Potomac Falls High School, Sterling.
Inova Health Systems announces Susan T. Carroll as the new chief operating officer of Inova Loudoun Hospital and Roderick Williams as chief operating officer of the Western Loudoun Medical Center.
Carroll began her career with Loudoun Healthcare in 1998, serving first as manager of business affairs and then moving on as director of that program. She worked closely with physicians in overseeing managed care contracting on behalf of both the hospital and practitioners. In 2003, she was promoted to director of ambulatory services, overseeing outpatient hospital services including radiology, cardiology, oncology and rehab, all of which were experiencing major growth through new services and enhancements of those being offered.
Williams is a graduate of Clark College in Atlanta and earned his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He joined Loudoun Healthcare Inc. in 1989, serving as vice president of support services and administrator of the Loudoun Long Term Care Center Ñ now, Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was later given responsibility for all outpatient services as well.
Brian J Cvilikas of Lovettsville is a new junior member of the American Angus Association. Junior members of the association are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association and take part in association sponsored shows and other national and regional events.
The American Angus Association is the largest beef registry association in the world, with more than 34,000 active adult and junior members.
Denny J. Fox has received a three-year Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) scholarship to attend Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va. The mission of ROTC is to provide future officers with leadership qualities needed in the regular Army and the reserve components.
The cadet will study military science, management development, and experience adventure training while pursuing a bachelor's degree. The scholarship will pay most of the student's college tuition, on-campus educational fees, and provide a flat-rate for textbooks, supplies and equipment.
After graduation, the cadet will be required to serve in the military for eight years. The obligation can be fulfilled by serving either on active duty and/or in the Army National Guard or Reserve.
The cadet will be pursuing a degree in business and economics. He is the son of Denny R. and Suzanne Fox of Leesburg.
Army Pvt. Nicholas W. Taylor has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Bruce and Christine Taylor of Sterling. Taylor is a 2003 graduate of Park View High School, Sterling.
Daniel G. Jordan has been selected for promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
Jordan is a deputy chief of internal and operations law assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Neb.
He is the son of Tom and Mary Jordan of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and brother of Tom Jordan of Beacon, N.Y., and Kathy Chadwick of Ashburn. His wife, Jeannine, is the daughter of Dave and Beaverly Lucas of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
In 1989, he received a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and earned a law degree in 1996 from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg.
Army 2nd Lt. William J. Hennessy has graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
The four-month course is designed to instruct new lieutenants in leadership, tactical skills and combat-related skills and tasks which concentrate on practical battlefield training. The students learned by performing and demonstrating proficiency in practical, external evaluation and field tactical exercises. Graduates qualify as both mechanized and light infantry platoon leaders.
Hennessy is the son of William J. and A. K. Hennessy of Ashburn. The lieutenant graduated in 2000 from W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, and received a bachelor's degree in 2005 from the University of South Alabama, Mobile.
Loudoun County Zoning Enforcement Program Manager Keith Fairfax has been re-elected to serve a second two-year term as vice president of the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO).
The association was founded in 1990 to promote the interest and welfare of zoning administration and enforcement agencies in Virginia. VAZO provides professional development workshops as well as certification training and testing for zoning professionals.
Fairfax, a certified zoning officer, has worked in the zoning field since he accepted a position with the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development in September 1999. In 2004, he was selected by VAZO as the state's Certified Zoning Officer of the Year.
Other VAZO officers re-elected to continue service in their current positions from March 2006 to March 2008 are president Faith Smith Christie of Virginia Beach, secretary Carolyn Quann of Spotsylvania County and treasurer Dari Jenkins of Pulaski County, who serves an indefinite term.
Army National Guard Sgt. Alexander C. Huth has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
The sergeant is normally assigned to the 224th Aviation Battalion, Sandston, Va. He is the son of Christina Huth of Lovettsville.
Air Force Airman Kevin J. Perry 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.
He is the son of Brian Perry of Sterling, and Cindy Stelzner of Leesburg. Perry is a 2004 graduate of Loudoun County High School, Leesburg.
Sarah M. Phillips of Round Hill, a former board member of the Girl Scout Council of the NationÕs Capital and longtime Girl Scout volunteer, and her husband, Lawrence, have established an endowment to fund the Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship program that was established in 1989 by Mrs. Phillips. She has been active in Girl Scouting in this region for 40 years and felt that she wanted to make a contribution that would live on for years. The rapid growth in Girl Scout membership made it an opportune time to support this program.
The endowment will directly benefit Senior Girl Scouts from the metropolitan area who have earned the Gold Award, Girl ScoutingÕs highest achievement that is attained each year by about one percent of Girl Scouts nationwide. The 10 girls selected for Gold Award scholarships go through a competitive written application and in-person interview process in the spring of the year, and each receives a $1,000 educational scholarship for the college or university of her choice. Each of 10 semifinalists receives a $100 savings bond. Beginning in 2008, the PhillipsÕ endowment will cover the costs of the scholarships and savings bonds, and it will support the project in full for years to come.
Army Sgt. Gregory Orndorff has returned to Fort Stewart, Ga., after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldier is a member of Task Force 4th-64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Orndorff, a tank systems maintainer, is the son of Julie A. Chadwell of Stephens City, Va., and grandson of Ann M. Cooper of Front Royal. His wife, Sharon, is the daughter of Dale and Sandy Harrison of Leesburg. He is a 1997 graduate of Warren County High School, Front Royal.
Army Pvt. Michael K. Rich has returned to Fort Stewart, Ga., after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldier is a member of Task Force 4th-64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Rich, an infantryman with one year of military service, is the son of Carol L. Rich of Ashburn. He graduated in the year 2000 from Broad Run High School, Ashburn.
Cheryl Hann and Mary Sue Kitchen were recently elected to serve on the board of directors for Oatlands in Leesburg.
Hann is from Leesburg and is a certified management accountant. Kitchen has been the director of the Fairfax County Health Department Laboratory for the past decade.
The new year has also brought in a new establishment of officers to facilitate the Oatlands Board of Directors. Brad Gable of Philomont will now preside as chairman for the 2006 Oatlands Board of Directors, while Joshua Power Stevens of Leesburg will serve as vice chairman. James Parkinson from Washington, D.C., will act as secretary and Hann will preside as treasurer. Anita White and Fred Lininger will continue to serve on the Oatlands Advisory Council.