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.
Air Force Airman Ashley M. Justice 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.
Justice is the daughter of Frederick Justice of Sterling and Pamela Hunter of Leesburg. She is a 2005 graduate of Heritage High School, Leesburg.
The United States Achievement Academy announces Nick Kraynack of Ashburn has been named a United States national award winner in science. The Academy recognizes fewer than 10 percent of all American high-school students.
Kraynack, who attends Belmont Ridge Middle School, was nominated by his teacher, Jennifer Bantle. He will be included in the Academy's official yearbook, which is published annually.
Selection for the award includes a student's academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit.
Kraynack is the son of Amy and James Kraynack of Ashburn; and grandson of Helen and Steve Ference of Leesburg and Edna Kraynack of Delmont, Pa.
Sophomore Renae Smith, a political science/communications major from Sterling, was one of seven Grove City College (Pa.) students to recently compete at the National Speech and Debate Championships sponsored by Pi Kappa Delta, the national Forensics Honorary Society. The school finished in the top 20 out of 48 programs. Smith reached the final round in persuasive speaking, where she finished sixth out of 44 competitors.
The steering committee of the 2006 Loudoun Summer Music Fest, held interviews in late February with representatives of many Loudoun-based charities and chose three, which will benefit from a portion of the 2006 Loudoun Summer Music Fest proceeds. Those 501 (c ) (3) non profit charitable organizations are Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, Loudoun Soccer and the Loudoun Foundation.
The Loudoun County Government served as a classroom for more than three dozen high-school students from across the county during Youth in Government Day Tuesday, March 21.
The students got a firsthand look at the workings of local government by attending portions of the Board of Supervisors meeting in the morning and afternoon. They heard presentations from county human services agencies. The students also participated in a "Fund the County Budget" exercise and attended a luncheon with the Supervisors.
The students who participated in the event are, from Broad Run High School, Christina Becker, Katy Peterson, Meagan Tydings; from Dominion High School, Emmy Joseph, Judy Qiu, Veronica Carlan; from Heritage High School, Kristen Brown; from Loudoun County High School, Christopher Neto, Hannah Pettit, Amy Sarver, Ethan Vaughan; from Loudoun Valley High School, Beth Babcock, Will Cinelli, Phillip Harper, Christopher Novitch, Stephanie Richards, Amanda Virts; from Notre Dame Academy, Paris Henderson, Will Hendrick, Molly Troha, Taylor Welsh; from Park View High School, Laura Jones, Lisa Mulloy, Sarah Raynes, Gladys Reyes, Lauren Sisson, Molly Walter; from Potomac Falls High School, Brandon Ballentine, Andrew Blackmer, Chris Hansen, Katie Hofer, Laura Hoffman, Elizabeth Townsend; and from Stone Bridge High School, Lauren Beerman, Jennifer Borman, Steven Galer, Kristen Ruh and Kaitlyn Zwolak.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) has selected Gabrielle Ubilla, an eighth-grade student at Seneca Ridge Middle School, as the March Student Volunteer of the Month.
Gabrielle has been an active volunteer for several years, giving much of her time to Girl Scouts through camps and recruitment events. In the summer of 2004, Gabrielle was a key volunteer, giving more than 45 hours of her time, to Campamento Amistad, an outreach camp hosted by the
Loudoun County Girl Scouts. Also in the summer of 2004, she was a volunteer for Riverside Camp at the Sterling Public Library, donating more than 64 hours of her time. Gabrielle enjoyed her time spent at both camps in 2004, and contributed more than 46 hours combined at both camps in the summer of 2005.
At school, Gabrielle helps at band nights and assists other baritone band students during resource period. She has been instrumental in helping organize the school Spring Fling and Fall Dances.
A local nonprofit organization of Gabrielle's choice will receive a $100 contribution in her honor. This is a continuing effort made by Loudoun Volunteer Services, which plans to make a monthly contribution to a local nonprofit organization chosen by each Student Volunteer of the Month. Funds for this program are raised by the Loudoun Volunteer
Services Board.
To nominate an outstanding student volunteer or group of volunteers, send a paragraph describing the student's volunteer efforts to the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board, Student Recognition Committee, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, fax 703-771-5841, or e-mail pivs@loudoun.gov.