Send announcements about school achievements to the Mount Vernon Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday at noon for next week's issue. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
The Mount Vernon High School Basketball Program will hold their annual FUNdamentals Basketball Camp this summer on Wednesday, June 20 – Saturday, June 23. There will be only one session of camp this year. The camp will be held at Mount Vernon High School (Entrance 6) from 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. All students from grades 3-10 (school year 2007-2008) are welcome to register. Register by June 1st and receive the "Early Bird Special" rate of $100. After June 1, the registration fee will be $120. Registration forms can be downloaded at: MountVernonSports.org (under Varsity Boys Basketball) or contact Alfonso G. Smith at 703-619-3146. The FUNdamentals Camp is sponsored by the Mount Vernon High School Athletic Boosters.
The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America at Mount Vernon High School participated in the State Leadership & Recognition Conference on April 26-29 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Krystina McCargo and Erin Myles earned a gold medal for their chapter showcase display. Vickie Chaing, Cathy Eyi-Mensah and Yanet Takele earned a silver medal for "National Programs in Action." Cassie Palas, Thalia Romero and Christina Sasorith earned a silver medal for their "Chapter Service Project Display." FCCLA sponsors Bev Card and Roxie Godfrey accompanied the students to the conference.
Cindy (Harris) Blakeley a 1981 Mount Vernon High School graduate was recently named Director of Student Services at George C. Marshall High School (FCPS). Blakeley completed her Bachelors Degree at James Madison University and her Masters Degree in Counseling from Indiana University, South Bend. The Blakeley’s have four children and live in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County. Cindy’s parents Jean and Coleman Harris live in the Mount Vernon community.
Alexandria Country Day School graduated its 23rd class of 8th grade students on June 7. As a class they accomplished much over the course of the year including raising funds for neurofibromatosis; participating in the exchange program with a sister school in Mexico; and traveling to the American Southwest to experience the cultural and geographic diversity of their own country. Also, this class boasts a first place speech at the Optimist Club (Peter Fanone), a second place speech in the Optimist Club (Kelly McGrath), a Virginia Senate intern (Max Blackman), and a recipient of an honorable mention from the Model UN program in Mexico City (Claire Neimann).
The Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) awarded Angelica Bravo, from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, its 2007 Gerry Bertier Scholarship. Bravo's persistence over challenges, academic accomplishments, and passion for learning made her a unanimous choice for this year's award. Bravo will attend George Mason University this fall. The Gerry Bertier Scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit to a student with a disability who is seeking post-secondary education.