Centreville — Hannah Ehreth is the recipient of the 2012 Pamplin Leader Award at Westfield High School. The Pamplin Leader is a one-year, $1,000 tuition scholarship to Virginia Tech. It is presented annually to a top student from each public high school in Virginia. It was established by Robert B. Pamplin, Sr. (VT, Class of 1933) and Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. to acknowledge students with a record of outstanding academic achievement that is balanced with a commitment to community service and leadership experience.
Ehreth graduated from Westfield High School suma cum laude. She was a member of the Varsity dance team all four years of her high school career. She was captain of the dance team her senior year and the Vice President of her local DECA chapter.
Ehreth will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall and is studying to obtain a degree in biology. She aims to become a doctor, primarily to be able to fulfill her goal of helping others.
The following residents from Fairfax are among the students who received degrees from Marymount University:
Reda Alhebshi earned a bachelor of science in information technology.
Christine Barr earned a bachelor of science in nursing (2nd degree).
Christine Cavero earned a bachelor of arts in fashion merchandising.
Jennifer Chang earned a bachelor of arts in liberal studies.
Yerayewa Coulibaly earned a bachelor of science in nursing (2nd degree) magna cum laude.
Jillian Kennedy earned a master of art in school counseling.
Hawazn Nimat earned a master of science in information technology.
Jillian Raju earned a master of science in information technology.
William Terry earned a master of science in management.
David Ziegler earned a bachelor of science in nursing magna cum laude.
Eric Brady earned a bachelor of science in information technology magna cum laude.
Amar Mukhtar, of Chantilly, a Virginia Tech senior majoring in human nutrition, foods, and exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was selected to be a member of Who’s Who Among Students for 2012.
Matthew Cumpian, of Chantilly, is included on the Dean's List for grades achieved during the spring semester at Harding University.
The residents listed below earned their bachelor's degrees from Widener University during the annual Commencement Ceremony on May 12:
Bernard Innocent, of Fairfax, received a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Robert Innocent, of Fairfax, received a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology.
Steven Bowen, a second year School of Pharmacy and Health Professions student, was named to the Creighton University spring Dean's List for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Christina C. Smillie, of Fairfax, daughter of Charles and Susan Smillie, graduated with a bachelor of arts in animal behavior and English from Bucknell University.
The following students from Chantilly were named to the dean's list for the 2012 spring semester at Messiah College:
Christopher Lyell is a sophomore majoring in communication.
Rachel Treharne is a sophomore majoring in education certification (grades 4-8).
The following students from Fairfax are members of the graduating class of 2012 at Eastern Mennonite University:
Kimberly Lane, a bachelors degree recipient in outdoor ministry and adventure leadership.
Suraya Sadeed, a masters degree recipient in conflict transformation.
Michael B. Larson, of Fairfax, graduated with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction at McDaniel College.
Students from Fairfax County high schools won awards and earned recognition at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held last week in Pittsburgh and at the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF) held in April in Norfolk.
Yon Kyu (Daniel) Jang of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) took third place in the Energy and Transportation category at the ISEF for the project, “Au- and Pd-Nanoparticle Catalysts in Novel Nafion Composites for PEM Fuel Cell Power Enhancement.” His team also received a special award from United Technologies Corporation of $3,000 in UTC stock.
Finishing in fourth place at the ISEF were:
Benjamin Cobb and Conor Moran of Chantilly High School in Cellular and Molecular Biology for “Discovery of a Mechanism for the Glucocorticoid Chemotherapy Resistance in Cancer.”
Arrush Choudhary of Chantilly High School in Energy and Transportation for “A Novel Method to Increase the Lipid Yield of Chlorella vulgaris: An Exploration of the Role of Cofactors on the Inhibition of Starch Synthase (E.C. 2.4.1.21).”
Genevieve Marcus Haskins, of Fairfax, the daughter of Roger Haskins and Susan Marcus, was named to Juniata College's 2012 Spring Dean's List.
Anne Cunliffe, of Oak Hill, made the Dean's List at DePaul University for the winter quarter of 2012.
Terica Elizabeth Adams, from Fairfax, graduated recently with a bachelor of arts in international relations and psychology from Colgate University.
Rocky Run Middle School held its annual World War II Oral History Day on Thursday, June 7, beginning with an opening ceremony at 8 a.m. This annual event hosts over 100 veterans of World War II and witnesses to the events of that war who share their recollections with seventh grade students.
This is the 11th year of the World War II Oral History Day project at Rocky Run. Social studies teacher Jamie Sawatzky, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) 2011 Teacher of the Year, and his students invite World War II veterans or other witnesses to World War II to come to the school and discuss their experiences with the seventh grade history classes. This is accomplished through a series of interviews conducted in either small panel groups of three to five veterans, or individual groups with one veteran or witness being interviewed by a group of four to five students. The students have prepared for this day through their studies as well as learning about their interviewees’ experiences.
The school also refers to the day as "The Latest Generation Meets the Greatest Generation.” Guests are greeted by the school band playing music from the 1940s. They are then paired up with a chaperone-guide who escorts the guest around the school, enabling them to navigate the school and attend the various interview sessions. Each guest will have about four or five interview sessions with seventh grade history students.
Chamber music as well as student skits and music from the era are planned for the day; one of the skits that has become a mainstay is Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" The teacher's lounge is converted into a World War II era canteen complete with memorabilia as well as music from the 1940s. Lunch is provided by the PTA.
Guests for World War II Day range from veterans of the Pacific campaigns, the European theater, survivors of the German death camps, survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, American prisoners of war held by both the Germans and Japanese, Bataan Death March survivors, as well as Japanese American citizens who survived American internment camps.
Chantilly Academy is partnering with Northrop Grumman Information Systems to present the first CyberSecurity Camp, Aug. 6-10, at Chantilly High School. CyberSecurity Camp will be open to 60 Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students in grades 9-12 and is open to both students who are beginners and students who have an intermediate knowledge of cybersecurity. Northrop Grumman employees who specialize in cybersecurity will teach computer forensics and cybersecurity fundamentals, and provide information on cybersecurity internships and careers. CyberSecurity Camp tuition is $150 and includes lunches and a camp T-shirt.
Colby Miller, of Oak Hill graduated Cum Laude from Elizabethtown College in May 2012, with a bachelor of science degree in biology education.
Ashna Sharan, of Chantilly, received a BSC degree and BA with Special Attainments in Commerce degree from Washington and Lee University on Thursday, May 24. Commencement ceremonies for 401 Washington and Lee seniors were held on the university's historic Front Lawn. Sharan majored in Business Administration and Politics
The following students graduated with honors from James Madison University during the May 5, 2012 commencement exercises.
Diana Chiu of Chantilly graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in communication studies.
Jonathon Robinette of Oak Hill graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in communication studies.
Amanda Tram of Chantilly graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in communication studies.
Jessica Chiu of Chantilly graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of business administration degree in computer information systems.
Bharath Krishnamoorthy of Chantilly graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in economics.
Anna Sanchez da Costa Faria of Fairfax graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in economics.
Adib Amini of Fairfax graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in engineering.
Madeline Berkheimer of Centreville graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English.
Alicia Patricca of Chantilly graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English.
Stephanie Fitz of Fairfax graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in health sciences.
Heidi Ermlick of Centreville graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in history.
Emily Collins of Fairfax graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies.
Alissa McGrath of Oak Hill graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies.
Diana Chiu of Chantilly graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of business administration degree in management.
Jaclyn Dickman of Chantilly graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
Alexander Cunningham, a resident of Fairfax graduated from Ithaca College’s school of Communications in May 2012 with a major in film, Photo, Video and Visual Arts.
The following Centerville local residents have been named to the Dean’s List at Clemson University for the spring 2012 semester:
Haley Nicole, who is majoring in Psychology
Shawn Patrick Mordhorst, who is majoring in Psychology
Molly Kathleen Seltzer, who is majoring in Political Science
Chelsea Nicole Wallis, who is majoring in Computer Science
Hanna Elizabeth Skahn of Centreville was named to the Dean’s List at Baylor University for the 2012 spring semester.
Karen Molloy, who teaches Advanced Placement (AP) biology and chemistry and serves as science department chair at Chantilly High School, has been named the 2012 Virginia Teacher of the Year by the Air Force Association (AFA). Chantilly High School is a Fairfax County public school.
Molloy was nominated by the Gabriel Chapter of the Air Force Association, which named her its Teacher of the Year for four consecutive years based on her work to advance STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The AFA specifically praised Molloy for her work with the local community to encourage and inspire students in STEM subjects, including working with the AFA, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and others in the defense industry to serve as mentors, financial sponsors, and technicians for students competing in the Cyber Patriot competition.
Known for her use of technology in the classroom, Molloy engages her students with interactive SMART Board activities, personal response clickers, digital photography, electronic learning stations, and probeware for data collection. By applying for several grants, she received funding to train her colleagues to use technology in the classroom; as a result, five teachers collaborated to create science lessons that incorporate more data collection using technology.
Molloy has a goal of increasing student involvement and enrollment in science classes at Chantilly; she is introducing a Genetics and Biotechnology elective course at the school for the first time during the 2012-13 school year, in which 60 students have enrolled. She has also worked to engage more citizens as judges for the school’s science fair along with increasing student participation. The number of judges has grown from 80 to 120 in four years, and nearly 600 students participated in this past year’s science fair. As sponsor of the Science National Honor Society, Molloy developed a speakers’ program to attract professionals such as medical doctors, university professors, engineers, and veterinarians to the school to speak to students. Her future plans include development of a STEM day for students in the Chantilly High School Pyramid to encourage more students to consider science as a career option.
During the summer, Molloy works for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a nonprofit college readiness organization for students that also teaches teachers how to teach, where she authors science books and develops materials for summer institutes. Molloy will be leading three of the professional development institutes this summer which will help teachers rethink how they plan and instruct students to incorporate writing, inquiry, collaboration, reading, and organization into science education.
Molloy has worked for FCPS for 12 years; she taught at McLean High School for eight years and has been a teacher at Chantilly High School for the past four years.
David Roberson, a psychology and human services major at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV, was named to the Spring 2012 Dean's List. Roberson is the son of Patricia Edwards of Fairfax.
Whitney Blankenship, a sophomore PreK-4 elementary education major has been named to the Dean's List for the spring 2012 semester at Grove City College. Whitney is a 2010 graduate of Trinity Christian School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Blankenship (Rhonda) from Chantilly.
Matthew Litton, a junior electrical engineering major has been named to the Dean's List for the spring 2012 semester at Grove City College. Matthew is a 2009 graduate of Chantilly High School and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Litton (Stephanie) from Fairfax.
Brendan Soucie, a student in the 4th form (10th-grade) at Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, was named to the honor roll for the spring term of 2012. Soucie is the child of Christopher and Cynthia Soucie of Oak Hill.
The Fairfax County Alumnae Chapter (FCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. awarded six scholarships in the amount of $10,000 during its 2012 May Week program. Pictured above from left to right are: Rhea Ingram (Co-Chair FCAC Scholarship Committee); Danielle Lowe (awardee – Hayfield Secondary ); Regina Milteer-Rock (President, FCAC); Domonique Collins (awardee –Herndon High); Ashleigh Wilson (awardee – Oakton High); Benita Toler (Co-Chair FCAC Scholarship Committee); and Gabrielle Tate (awardee – Oakton High). Not pictured are: Hanan Awel (awardee – Robert E Lee High) and Sydney MaHan (awardee – Chantilly High).
Christine LaPlaca of Fairfax has been selected as a writing intern for Phi Beta Kappa’s two-semester internship program. LaPlaca is the daughter of Peter and Stacy LaPlaca and is a 2009 graduate of Chantilly High School. A senior majoring in Asian studies and English with a concentration in creative writing, LaPlaca is co-president of Rotaract and a tutor at the Writing Center. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Beta Kappa, history honor society Phi Alpha Theta and literary honor society Lambda Iota Tau. She has been named to the Dean’s List and President’s List.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) graduates from the class of 2012 have been named winners of college-sponsored scholarships by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Recipients, with their probable career fields in parentheses, are:
· Rebecca Holley of Westfield High School (Music/Education), National Merit University of Rochester Scholarship.
· Ian Van Pelt of Westfield High School (biology), National Merit Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Scholarship.
David Rice, a resident of Chantilly, was awarded Dean's List honors for academic achievement during the spring 2012 semester at St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM).
The Bill of Rights Institute announces that seven Northern Virginia high school students, Conrado Castro, James Harkless, Moriah Dreisbach, Neha Telhan, Lauren Ierardi, Nicholas Santoni, and Emily Yaremchuk have returned from a week spent in the nation’s capital.
This July, Castro, Harkless, Dreisbach, Telhan, Ierardi, Santoni, and Yaremchuk attended the Constitutional Academy, the nation’s premier program for high school students to study the Constitution. The scholarships were provided by the Ohrstrom Foundation.
Dreisbach and Telhan will both be juniors at Falls Church High School. Ierardi will be a senior in the fall at Centreville High School; where Santoni graduated this spring. Yaremchuk will be senior at Oakton High School in the fall.
Castro, Harkless, Dreisbach, Telhan, Ierardi, Santoni, and Yaremchuk read the Founding documents and other primary source resources, and discussed the ideals of the American Founding along with contemporary issues with students from across the country and constitutional scholars in Washington, D.C.