Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, 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 Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
Loudoun County Sheriff's recruits took three awards and continue to rank high academically at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy's Basic Deputy Sheriff and Law
Enforcement School.
Deputy Eric S. Cote received the top spot in academics and received the Directors Award for Academic Excellence at the 115th session of the academy’s combined deputy school. The graduating class took nine out of the top-10 academic spots.
In addition, Deputy Paul E. Medonich received the Physical Fitness Award for the session with Deputy Ryan E.
Woellner taking second place. Medonich also took a leadership role in the graduating class serving in one of the three vice presidential positions. Deputy Edward P. Jappell received the overall award in Emergency Vehicle Operations Proficiency with Deputy Christopher T. Grandner placing a close second.
The recruits, who are now state certified in basic law enforcement, are Jessie Brock, Eric Cote, Thomas Davis, Marc Gastaldo, Nicholas Gordon, Christopher Grandner, Ryan Hamilton, Edward Jappell, Ishmail Hoe, Megan Jones, Mirza Kadric, Aleksandra Kowalski, Charles Linehan, Joshua
Lowder, Paul Medonich, Eric Miller, Michael Petrakos, David Weeks, Elissa Wilk and Ryan Woellner.
Six students at Faith Christian School in Sterling were
honored as published authors in the 2006 Anthology of Short Stories by Young Americans.
Kim Zupan, Becca Olson, Taylor Persinger, Katie Lazo, Haley Lazo, and Gabriella Dyer have been notified that their short stories were chosen for publication.
The anthology, working with educators in all 50 states, provides a forum through which selected young authors in grades kindergarten-12th, can see their work and the work of other students, published in an actual book. Works are selected for publication based upon their character and plot development, originality and audience appeal.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) announced the members of the
Transportation Accountability Commission, established by executive order to ensure that the state's transportation agencies deliver maximum value for taxpayers, implement rigorous management standards and promote wise
investments. The commission will make an interim report to the governor and General Assembly by May 30 and a final report by Oct. 1.
Among the commission members are Young Ho Chang, P.E., senior vice president of ATCS, PLC; Douglas R. Fahl, executive vice president of Dewberry & Davis LLC; Thomas G. Jewell, president and owner of Carter Braxton Real Estate; and Dr. Rosemarie A. Pelletier, president and founder of Public Private Solutions Inc., all from Loudoun County.
Peter C. Burnett of Loudoun County, attorney at Burnett & Williams, was appointed to the Live Horseracing Compact Committee by Gov. Tim Kaine (D).
Two Stone Bridge High School students, junior Sarah Duehring and senior Allison Killam, received writing awards at the Journalism Education Association/ National Scholastic Press Association (JEA/NSPA) Convention in
Nashville.
More than 5,000 journalism students from across the nation gathered to take classes, participate in writing workshops, exchange ideas and enter writing competitions at this event. Duehring and Killam won honorable mention honors
in News Writing and Editorial Writing, respectively, in the Write-Off competition. Almost 2,000 students entered the various categories of this national competition with only a quarter of them receiving recognition.
JoEllen Sholl is the newspaper adviser at Stone Bridge High School.
Army Pvt. Adriana Rodriguez 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 earned distinction as an honor graduate. Rodriguez is the niece of Marie Knockett of Leesburg.