Send announcements to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos are encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Jessica Killeen, a 2003 T.C. Williams graduate, has been named the 2007 Woman of Distinction at James Madison University. She is the daughter of John Killeen and Dr. Marie Steinmetz.
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.
A new Online Career Center, school-based community college career coach and community college outreach counselor are helping Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students plan for life after high school. An Online Career Center created for ACPS students includes sections related to career exploration, researching occupations and colleges, job search skills, employment Web sites and more. The site also features a section for employers, parents and community members who are looking for opportunities to become involved with the schools. The Online Career Center can be found at: http://www.acps.k12.va.us/careercenter/index.php. For more information about Career Center-related opportunities at T.C. Williams, contact the school at 703-824-6800.
George Washington Middle School received $6,000 from the Washington Wizards, thanks to All-Star Guard Gilbert Arenas' record-breaking scoring on Dec. 17. Other upcoming games in which Arenas will score for ACPS schools include:
* Feb. 20 Wizards versus Minnesota Timberwolves at home for Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
* Feb. 28 Wizards versus Miami Heat at home for the Secondary Training and Education Program (STEP)
* March 30 Wizards versus Toronto Raptors at home for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
For further information about "Gilbert Scores for Schools," contact the participating schools or visit the Wizards' Web site at www.washingtonwizards.com.
Zeta Phi Beta is sponsoring an scholarship/essay contest for City of Alexandria students in grades 10-12. The deadline for the submission is Feb. 20. the topic is "What impact did Hurricane Katrina have on you or your family?" Winner will receive $1,000 and will be announced at a reception on March 24. Mail essays to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Nu Xi Zeta Chapter - Scholarship, P.O. Box 25961, Alexandria, VA 22313. For information visit www.nuxizeta.org or call 703-802-0621.
The Special Education Parent Resource Center of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) announces the following events scheduled this month:
* The Support Group for Parents of Children in Special Education continues to meet every Thursday morning from 10 a.m.-noon at the Special Education Parent Resource Center. Meetings include coffee, bagels, free child care with advance notice and great support and problem-solving ideas.
Parents of prospective preschoolers are invited to attend the Meeting House Cooperative Preschool Open House on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 9:15-11 a.m. at the preschool, 318 S. Royal St., Old Town. Free. 703-549-8037.
Lindsay M. Naill, of Alexandria, received a bachelor of science degree from Christopher Newport University in business administration.
T.C. Williams High School drama students won third place at the Patriot District One-Act Festival Competition held Jan. 30 at South County High School. Performing a comedy titled Jimmy the Antichrist by Keith J. Powell, the students tied for second place with Lake Braddock Secondary School, but lost a tie-breaker by three points. West Springfield High School won the competition. Morgan Grady was voted by the judges as the best actor to perform at the competition. Maggie Rosenblatt and Alina Collins received All Star Awards for being among the top 12 actors picked by the theatre directors who were present. Rosenblatt, Collins and Grady received three out of the five top awards given to the actors by the judges. Other participating students included actors Biana Lipford, Agatha Aramay and Anil Kenkeremath and Student Director Beth Wherry.
Six T.C. Williams High School TV Production students received awards in the recent Pre-Produced One-Minute Video Production category of the District 14 SkillsUSA Competition. The team of Tyler DeCourt, Taylor Pearson and John Wilson IV received first place for a piece titled Extreme Skipping, and the team of Brooks Eaton, Reid Scholar and Will Shankles earned second place for an entry called US Bowling. All students will advance to the state-level competition in Richmond in April.
The following Alexandria residents received degrees from Virginia Tech.
* Belen Abdella, received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in architecture from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.
* Brian Adkins received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
* David Byrne received a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in finance from the Pamplin College of Business.
* Kimberly Carlson received a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in management from the Pamplin College of Business.
* Lawren Dolland received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the College of Science.
* Rosemary Genuario received a Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) in human development from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
* Thomas Harrell received a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude) in sociology from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.