Send announcements to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos are encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
This year the West Potomac High School Drama Department has registered with E-Scrip, a program at Safeway. This program enables a percentage of the register receipt to be donated by Safeway to a specific program or up to three programs of your choice. It is free and easy to join. If you are a past or present supporter of the WPHS Drama Department, you can continue your support by signing up at escrip.com and designating "West Potomac High School Drama" as the group name. Registration must be completed by Nov. 1.
The West Potomac High School Orchestras, under the direction of Mary Lindsay Wilkerson, will perform their fall concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in Kogelman Theater, Springbank Auditorium, West Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria. The concert, featuring West Potomac's three strings ensembles, is free and open to the public. The performance will include a performance by Concert Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra and the Sinfonietta.
Alexandria Country Day School is proud to announce that Christopher Ros has completed the Klingenstein Summer Institute for Teachers in Independent Schools at Columbia University. Mr. Ros teaches science to ACDS 7th and 8th graders, coaches cross country, swimming and basketball, and served as director of the ACDS summer camp program. He has a B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University, an M.P.H. from Columbia University and came to ACDS from the Smithsonian Institution and most recently, the Field School in Washington, D.C.
World-renowned violinist Midori recently presented a master class for orchestra students from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria and the H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington. The participating students were Louis McCracken, a 16 year-old junior at T.C. Williams High School, and Thomas Moran, a 16 year-old junior in the H.B. Woodlawn program in the Arlington Public Schools district. They each received a private lesson in front of the audience. Each presented a movement of a concerto, prepared over the course of several months with their private teachers. McCracken, who pursues private violin studies with Michael Faulkner, is a member of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and recently was selected, through competitive audition, to perform in the Northern Virginia Senior Regional Orchestra. During the Master Class, he performed the first movement of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with T.C. Williams Choral Director Patricia Jarvis as his accompanist. Moran, the son of professional violinist Risa Browder, the Orchestra Director of H.B. Woodlawn, and John Moran, a professional cellist, performed the first movement of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3, with Andrew Horowitz as his accompanist. Moran pursues private violin studies with Mary Ann Tortolano.
The Westminster-George Mason Tutoring Program needs tutors and substitute tutors to work one-on-one with elementary school children who need extra help. Tutoring takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:35-3:35 p.m. in the library at George Mason Elementary School. Tutors are asked to make a commitment of one hour per week from October through May, excepting school holidays and snow days. Substitute tutors are also needed to be available once or twice a month to fill in for weekly tutors. Contact Kathy Hart at 703-706-4470 or khart@acps.k12.va.us to learn more.
Caitlyn Conron, of Alexandria, has been named a Eucharistic minister for the 2006-2007 school year at Virginia Tech.
The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary's Semi-Annual meeting was held on Oct. 11. Two local high-school students were recognized with $50 savings bonds for their outstanding and dedicated service to the hospital. West Potomac's Mariya Ilyas plans to enter the health field as a career. She enjoys having fun, smiling every day, and is a top student. Mount Vernon's Kevin Yates plans on being a doctor. He is cited for being a positive, professional, and dependable volunteer.
Mary C. Sargeant of Alexandria, has made the honor roll at Virginia Episcopal School In Lynchburg, Va.
Ten Virginia Tech student leaders tested their skills in leadership, diplomacy and Spanish at the International Convention of Student Leaders on the Monterrey Tech campus in Monterrey, Mexico on Oct. 18-21. The students attended a leadership conference, shared housing with resident advisors and host families from Monterrey Tech, and participated in a residence life workshop with other students. Participants were selected from a pool of applicants to represent Virginia Tech. They include:
* Jacqueline Beiro of Alexandria, a senior majoring in Spanish and communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Beiro is a member of Latin Link.