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.
Lewis Rauch, the director of design and construction services for Fairfax County Public Schools since April 2002, has been hired to head the new Loudoun County Office of Capital Construction. Rauch will start his new position Sept. 13.
Since 1995, Rauch has held various positions in construction project management with Fairfax County Public Schools, where he has been responsible for overseeing the construction of new schools, renovation of existing schools, and modification of other facilities.
In his newly created position with Loudoun County, he will manage a staff of 25 to oversee all aspects of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for general county government projects, including the construction of new facilities, land acquisition, and renovation of existing facilities. The responsibility for school CIP projects will remain with Loudoun County Public Schools.
Rauch, 42, is a Virginia native. He earned a bachelor's degree in construction management at the University of Oklahoma. Before joining Fairfax County Public Schools, he was an engineer and project manager for construction companies in the Washington, D.C. area.
He is a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, and has had extensive emergency management skills training from the Department of Homeland Security, Office for Domestic Preparedness, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Andy Johnston, member of the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board of Directors, presented Kevin Kurdziolek, a senior at Broad Run High School, with a Certificate of Appreciation, honoring him as Student Volunteer of the Month Aug. 15.
Kurdziolek served as a coach for the Ashburn Arsenal U11 boys' soccer team this past season, spending many hours organizing practices and preparing for games. Not only did Kurdziolek perform the normal duties of serving as a coach, but he took extra steps to mentor the boys in ways that promoted respect and team spirit.
A local nonprofit organization of Kurdziolek's choice will receive a $100 contribution in his honor. This is a continuing effort made by Loudoun Volunteer Services, which plans to make a monthly contribution to each Student Volunteer of the Month's local nonprofit organization of choice.
The following Sterling, Potomac Falls and Dulles students enrolled at Virginia Tech were among those honored at the university's spring commencement ceremony held Friday, May 12, in Lane Stadium.
Robert Carter, bachelor of science degree in mathematics; Justin Claeys, bachelor of science degree in computer science; Joseph Hussa, bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering; Peter Lazarevich, bachelor of science degree in civil engineering; Eric Marshman, bachelor of science degree in biological sciences; Erich O'Saben, bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies; Christopher Philyaw, bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering; Zachary Snee, bachelor of arts degree (cum laude) in communication; Daniel Thayer, bachelor of science degree in computer engineering; Jon-Erik Valetti, bachelor of science degree in marketing management; Mark DeAngelis, bachelor of science degree in sociology; Marios Epaminonda, bachelor of science degree in accounting and information systems; Joanna Fox, bachelor of science degree (magna cum laude) in accounting and information systems; Jules Kroehl, bachelor of science degree (magna cum laude) in aerospace engineering; William Lovely, bachelor of science degree (cum laude) in accounting and information systems; David Malan, bachelor of science degree in civil engineering; Lauren Manns, bachelor of science degree (cum laude) in finance; Rachel Mitnick, bachelor of arts degree (cum laude) in communication; Seth Petersen, bachelor of arts degree in communication; Stefanie Soltoff, bachelor of science degree (cum laude) in mathematics; Janna Steele, bachelor of science degree in human nutrition, foods and exercise; James Taylor, bachelor of science degree in marketing management and bachelor of science degree in finance; Kurtis Thompson, bachelor of science degree in computer science; Vanessa Lyon, bachelor of arts degree in international studies; Moshiur Rahman, bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering; and Tiffany Fletcher, a bachelor of architecture degree in architecture.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Constance M. Morris has arrived for duty at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nev. Morris, an aircraft armament systems apprentice with one year of military service, is assigned to the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
She is the niece of Lidia Beer of Ashburn. The airman is a 2003 graduate of Broad Run High School, Ashburn.
Army Reserve Pvt. Hector R. Rodriguez Jr. 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 Hector Rodriguez Ashburn. Rodriguez is a 2004 graduate of Stone Bridge High School, Ashburn.
Project Future, sponsored by the Good Shepherd Alliance, provides homeless children with experiences at summer day camp, crafts, sports, field trips and educational activities. The group toured the White House Visitor Center, Aug. 10, exploring the exhibits on the White House and then experienced a visit to the actual White House. The self-guided tour took the group through the library on the first floor, upstairs to the East Room, Green Room, Red Room, Blue Room and the State Dining Room. Afterwards the children were treated to a visit to the Smithsonian Institution's Renwick Gallery comprising a history about American Crafts.
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation provided GSA with a $27,000 grant to make this homeless children summer camp a reality. Virginia Regional Transit provided reduced rate bus service transportation for eight adult staff and 12 children.
Arlyn K. Black, a pioneer business leader in Sterling Park, has been selected to serve as grand marshal of the 25th annual Columbus Day parade, sponsored by the Good Samaritan Council 6175, Knights of Columbus, Saturday, Oct. 8.
Black, CEO and owner of Arlyn K. Black Enterprises Inc., was recognized in 1995 by the Commonwealth of Virginia for his 35 years of service to the Steeling community. He was named Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1994 and received the Milton Meyers Award. He was also the Sterling Jaycees first Good Friend Award recipient.
Black is active in transplant awareness, having received a liver transplant in 1996; is a member of the Loudoun Hospital/Loudoun Healthcare Institutional review Board and chairman of the Sterling Park agricultural control committee. He is married and the father of a son and three daughters.
Loudoun Symphony received a $40,000 grant from the Sheila C. Johnson Foundation in support of its upcoming 2006-2007 concert season. The Loudoun Symphony Association is a nonprofit organization committed to making classical music accessible and affordable to the community. It provides many educational opportunities and performance opportunities for individuals of all ages, and promotes cultural outreach and collaboration with other local arts groups. The Loudoun Symphony presents classical music performances, ranging from full orchestral works to small chamber concerts, providing playing opportunities for a wide range of musicians, from student string players to professional musicians from Loudoun County and the surrounding area.
Keep Loudoun Beautiful held a litter cleanup recently along a portion of the Potomac River in Loudoun County, covering several miles. Thirty-six volunteers removed 66 tires and 40 bags of assorted trash totaling 2,820 pounds.
The cleanup was sponsored by the Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management with funding from the Virginia Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Program.
Shenandoah University graduated 160 students in a ceremony in the Smith Library Plaza, Saturday, Aug. 26. This is the first year August graduation was held outside.
The guest speaker is Jaime de Ojeda, Shenandoah UniversityÕs ambassador-in-residence since 1997. Honorary degrees will be presented to pharmacist R. David Anderson, physical therapist Phillip B. Donley and pianist John OÕConor.
Members of The Islamic Society of North America elected Imam Mohamed Magid as the organization' s vice president. Magid is the executive director and imam of The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). He is the chair of Fairfax Faith Communities in Action, a member of The Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington Assembly, and board member of the Fairfax Youth Partnership. In addition, he serves as a member of the Arab, Muslim, Sikh Advisory Committee to the FBI Washington Field Office. Magid lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and five children.