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.
Loudoun County Sheriff's Investigator Ken Fognano, a 17-year veteran of the agency and Sheriff's Deputy Matt Bressler, a two-year member, were both presented awards at a ceremony Friday, April 28, for going above and beyond in serving victims of crime. The awards come as part of victims' rights and services week, which recognizes the ongoing efforts of victim service providers, justice professionals and allied professionals who dedicate their lives to helping victims of crime.
The Collegiate Times, a student-run newspaper at Virginia Tech, won 25 awards from the Virginia Press Association's College Newspaper Contest. Among the winners were Seth Peterson of Sterling, senior, second place, feature photo, and first place, spot news photo; and Allison Jaragin of Sterling, junior, first place, infographics. Both are graduates of Potomac Falls High School.
Amy Loudenback of Ashburn will be one of 33 Special Olympics Virginia athletes and 15 coaches taking part in the first-ever Special Olympics National Summer Games, in Iowa, July 2-7. Loudenback, 32, will compete in aquatics.
One hundred, eighty-six young farmers and their families visited the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum Wednesday, April 12, for Bunny Bonanza. Visitors met representatives of the Loudoun Department of Animal Care and Control and RABBITWISE.
Members of the Leaps and Squeaks Rabbit and Cavy Club of Northern Virginia were on hand to discuss rabbit care and the 4-H Extension program. The event featured displays, information and live animal demonstrations.
The faculty, staff, council members, and friends of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) recently honored Dr. Jack Howard, a retired veterinarian and longtime friend of the center for his years of distinguished service.
Howard, a resident of Leesburg, helped build the college into the internationally respected facility that it is today an advanced-care equine referral hospital that offers 24-hour emergency care and treats about 2,500 horses a year.
Howard was presented a photograph of him taken at Oatlands in 2005 by Dr. Ken Sullins, who was hired 22 years ago as the Equine Medical Center's first veterinary surgeon and is an award-winning photographer whose work is featured in area galleries.
The photograph was the first of 75 limited edition prints that have been produced in Howard's honor. Copies of the photograph are being sold and the proceeds will benefit the EMC. Call Amy Troppmann, assistant director of development, at 703-771-6843.
Laurence Kaptain has been appointed the next dean of Shenandoah Conservatory. Kaptain will follow Charlotte Collins, who retires from the deanship this summer after 34 years of service.
Kaptain is currently the director of the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Georgia.
Prior to that appointment, he was at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), the University of Missouri systemÕs designated campus for the visual and performing arts.
As a professional musician, he most recently appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, as well as the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus, the San Antonio, Boston, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Syracuse, Rochester, New World, Kansas City and St. Louis Symphonies and the Summit Brass, and has been featured with the MET Chamber Players and the Ensemble Sospeso in Carnegie Hall.
Kaptain begins his appointment at Shenandoah University on July 1.
Virginia Tech has named Gregory J. Sagstetter, a resident of Sterling, as the Outstanding Graduating Senior for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
Sagstetter is expected to receive his honors baccalaureate dual degree in philosophy and political science along with a minor in African-American studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Science's in December of this year. During his time at Virginia Tech, Sagstetter has participated in many extracurricular activities on campus, as well as received multiple honors and awards.
In 2006, Sagstetter was named to the USA Today's 2006 All-USA College Academic Second Team. In addition, Sagstetter is the co-founder of Virginia Tech's Student Alliance for Sound Financial Planning and Investment, as well as the first male peer educator for the Women's Center.
The Outstanding Senior Awards are presented at the Student Honors Day Banquet each spring and are co-sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the senior class.
Jordan Kupersmith, a 2002 graduate of Potomac Falls High School, was awarded the Benjamin Stoddard Ewell Award by the College of William and Mary at its recent Spring Awards ceremony. The award is for "Outstanding leadership and participation in college and community activities and for service to the college and community." Kupersmith will graduate in May cum laude with a 3.6 GPA and a double major in international relations and environmental studies. He is the son of Roy and Adriana Kupersmith of Potomac Falls.
The Senate Committee on Rules appointed state Sen. Mark R. Herring (D-33) to three state commissions and study committees in legislative action last week. Herring was appointed to serve on a committee to study telework opportunities for state and private sector employees and a committee to study open space and farmland preservation. Herring was also appointed to serve on the Substance Abuse Services Council.
Herring has also created a constituent services Web site, www.markherring.org. Herring's e-mail address is senator@markherring.org and his constituent services telephone number is 703-433-0048.
The Loudoun County Commission on Women (LCCW) will honor 10 winners of the 2006 Outstanding Women of Loudoun County awards at its annual luncheon, Tuesday, May 16.
The Outstanding Women of Loudoun County are county residents who have demonstrated efforts above and beyond the call of duty in their work or lives, and include Patty Demmon, Community Service for Youth Award; Cheyenne Cashin, Community Service for Commuters Award; Laura Valle, Leadership Award; Kathy Lague, Public Safety Award; Bobbi Carducci, Career Development Award; Amy Burns, Business Development Award; Pauline S. Singletary, Culture Affairs Award; Beth Wilson, Performing and Visual Arts Award; Emily Ciullo, Partners in Education Award; and Katherine Ratcliffe, Heritage Education Award.
The Loudoun MADD Poster Essay Ceremony was held April 23, at the Cascades Library. Christina Dawson of Loudoun County High School was selected as The 2006 Loudoun MADD Youth Ambassador.
Other winners include: first-place winners receive $100 savings bond, Kareem Fawzi, Middle School Essay, Harper Park Middle School; Kareem Fawzi, Middle School Black and White Photo, Harper Park Middle School; Kareem Fawzi, Middle School Poster, Harper Park Middle School; Kareem Fawzi, Middle School PSA, Harper Park Middle School; Sarah Fawzi, High School Poster, Heritage High School; Sarah Fawzi, High School Black and White Photo, Heritage High School; Sarah Fawzi, High School Essay, Heritage High School.
Second-place winners receive $75 savings bond, Michael Verdi, Middle School Essay, Smart Hill Middle School; Nate Lockeman, Middle School Black and White Photo, Smart Hill Middle School; Mandy Lin, High School Poster, Broad Run High School; Taylor Reed, Elementary Poster, Lowes Island Elementary.
Third-place winners receive $50 savings bond, Jennifer Garrison, Middle School Black and White Photo, Smart Hill Meddle School; Allyson Reed, High School Essay, Dominion High School; Casey Bickford, High School Poster, Dominion High School.
Honorable mention, Yanira Garcia, Middle School Black and White Photo, Smart Hill Middle School; Christina Dawson, High School Poster, Loudoun County High School.
Army National Guard Pvt. Angel L. Norris 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.
Norris is the daughter of Anthony Veney of Leesburg.
On April 29, the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League held its 17th Annual Outdoor Ethics Recognition and Reward Program at the Leesburg Firehouse. This annual event is held to recognize the contributions of members and various other agencies around Northern Virginia; and is co-sponsored by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Vernail received an Award for Outstanding Service for his efforts prosecuting several cases involving hunting and wildlife offenses. It is the third time that Vernail has received such an award. Others receiving awards were several members of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and members of the public that assisted Game Wardens in holding violators accountable.
Army Pvt. Marisa K. Hess 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.
She is the daughter of Donna Hess of W.Va., and sister of Briana Hess Bata of Sterling. The private is a 2005 high school graduate of the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, Kingwood, W.Va.