Mount Vernon — Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos are welcome.
Mount Vernon resident Elizabeth Barrett of George Washington University has been selected for the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program to study Chinese in China during the summer of 2012.
Katie Rippy, social studies teacher at Mount Vernon High School, has been named the 2012 Virginia History Day Senior Division Teacher of the Year. Rippy was selected for this award for her creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past. As a state award winner for Virginia, Rippy will receive a cash award of $500. In addition to receiving the Virginia History Day Senior Division Teacher of the Year Award, Katie will be nominated by the Virginia State Coordinator for the National History Day Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award for Virginia that recognizes outstanding National History Day teachers.
David McDonald and Carmen Mendoza of West Potomac High School have been selected to attend the Virginia American Legion Junior Law Program at the Virginia State Police training academy in Richmond, scheduled for July 22-27.
Celeste Walker, a graduate of West Potomac High School, has been selected by the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), America Section, as an SCI Scholar for 2012. In addition to a $1,000 prize, scholars are awarded prestigious 10-week summer internships at major US chemical companies. Celeste currently attends University of Virginia and will complete an internship at Ashland Chemical Company.
Mt. Vernon High School has received a $2,000 mini-grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to support a local chapter of Y Street, VFHY’s national award-winning youth volunteer advocacy group. The grant will aid in promoting a healthy lifestyle to youth by training teen volunteers who promote a healthy lifestyle.
Elizabeth Romano of Alexandria, who is studying at Widener University in Chester, Pa., was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2012 semester at Widener.
Adam Godfrey of Alexandria graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and French from Merrimack College on May 20.
Peter Routh of Alexandria, graduated from Bowdoin College, majoring in Government and Legal Studies on May 26.
Bucknell University has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2011-12 academic year. Several residents from Alexandria has been recognized, including:
- John C. Luce Jr., son of John and Margaret Luce and a 2008 graduate of St. Stephens & St. Agnes School.
- Jason D. Neithamer, son of Calvin and Susan Neithamer and a 2008 graduate of St. Stephens & St. Agnes School.
- Simeon B. Smith-Wimbush, son of Iris Wimbush, Chau K. Tieu, daughter of Binh Tieu and Phuong Trinh, and a 2011 graduate of Mount Vernon High School.
- Alexandra B. Van den Berg, daughter of Alan and Anne Van den Berg and a 2011 graduate of St. Stephens & St. Agnes School.
Local residents graduated from Clemson University at three Commencement ceremonies May 11: Brian Edward Beaty of Alexandria, who graduated with a bachelor of science in political science (International Politics); Kathryn Kelly Finnigan of Alexandria, who graduated with a master of science in historic preservation and Brittany Lee Ryan of Alexandria, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in political science