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The following Alexandria residents graduated from Central Michigan University in May of 2008: Wilease Buggs, Adam Dimke and Joshua Mooya. They all earned Masters of Science in Administration degrees.
Patricia Casey Clay, daughter of Frank and Ann Clay of Alexandria, was selected to participate in the Westover Honors program at Lynchburg College. Clay is a senior communications studies major at Lynchburg College.
Ashley E. Hoath, of Alexandria, was selected to be a peer assisted study sessions leader at Lynchburg College. Hoath is a junior exercise physiology major at the college.
Benjamin Sprague Hewson, the son of Tom and Deborah Hewson of Alexandria, has graduated from the University of Rochester. On May 18, 2008 at the 158th commencement, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He was also a graduate of Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Rachel B. Collins, of Alexandria, has won “The Old Forge Hardware Award” for her painting “Vertebra Trio.” The award was given by The Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors.
Michaleen E. Eife of Alexandria, age 12, was chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant. Eife's activities include dance, piano, volleyball, church and girl scouts. She has been volunteering at the Animal Shelter, the Washington House and the St. Clement's Thrift Shop.
Debra Luecretia Mason, president of T.C. Williams High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), is the winner of the Alexandria Human Rights Commission’s seventh annual 2008 Student Human Rights Awards for her leadership role and promotion of equality for all regardless of sexuality.
Mayor William D. Euille, members of the Alexandria City Council, and members of the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) honored the ACPD’s 2008 award winners on June 24 during a reception at City Hall. This year’s award recipients are Louis Barnett, who was selected as the recipient of the Gerry Bertier Scholarship Award; Jeannie Cummins Eisenhour, who was presented with the John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award; and the Coalition for Housing Opportunities In the Community for Everyone (CHOICE), who was presented with a Community Organization Grant. The program also included Mayor Euille reading a Proclamation honoring former ACPD member George K. Caddy. Caddy was honored for his contributions, accomplishments, and service with distinction on the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities.
Three Alexandria medics were honored for heroic lifesaving efforts in the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council’s “Call of the Quarter” awards on Oct. 24.
Paramedics Joshua Weissman and Donald Scott, and Emergency Medical Technician Tracy Eichelberger were honored for their teamwork, ability to think under a particularly stressful situation, and their use of accepted medical protocols when they saved the life of a 20-month-old male.
Two students with disabilities were matched with Alexandria Library staff for Disability Mentoring Day on Oct. 15. At Alexandria Library's Talking Books Service, Jennifer Trujillo and Chelsea Murry, seniors at T.C. Williams High School, experienced a typical day on the job in the office that supplies "talking books" to blind and physically challenged individuals. Jennifer and Chelsea helped to organize reading machines that play specially designed, pre-recorded cassette tapes.
John Porter, who served 22 years as principal of TC Williams High School, was honored on Oct. 29 with the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau’s (AVB) Marian Van Landingham Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the Alexandria community. Receiving the Joan White Grassroots Volunteer Award was Scooter Slade.
At the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau’s annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria, the 28-year-old Alexandria nonprofit announced that its name will change to Volunteer Alexandria.
Nine inmates and two former inmates received their high school equivalency certificates (GED) during ceremonies on Nov. 6 at the Alexandria Detention Center. Receiving diplomas were: F. Arevalo, T. Bailey, R. Boyd, N. Brunson, C. Dixon, J. Farmer, J. Hood, K. King and D. Reddick. L. Estrada and B. Hamilton completed testing after being released, but were invited back to be presented their GEDs.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Marcel Rivera has graduated from the Air Traffic Control Operations Apprentice Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. He is the son of Katharina K. Rivera of Mount Vernon. The airman first class has served in the military for one year. Rivera graduated in 2007 from Mount Vernon High School.
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) elected officers and its board of directors at a special meeting on Nov. 18. The following members, who will serve two-year terms, represent seven sectors of the Alexandria community. Officers: Allen Lomax, chair, independent consultant; Shelly Morgan, vice-chair, parent; Monique Edwards, treasurer, Alexandria Sheriff's Office, and
Chanel Smith, secretary, student, TC Williams High School. Board of Directors: Mary-Jane Atwater, Atwater Communications; Tricia Bassing, Alexandria Community Services Board; Amy Beal, parent; Andrew T. Denison, parent; Priscilla Harp, Alexandria Court Service Unit; William Johnson, captain, Alexandria Police Department, and
Gregory McIntosh, student, TC Williams High School.
Amanda Visek, Ph.D. of Alexandria, recently earned the distinction of certified consultant by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, the professional organization of sport and exercise psychology.