Falls Church News & Notes

In continuing graduation news Falls Church residents Daniel Schiffer and Timothy Shaheen received their bachelor’s degrees from Vanderbilt University. Schiffer graduated Magna Cum Laude in Political Science and Shaheen took home a degree in History. At University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Megan Avots graduated with academic honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Before attending college, Avots spent 2 years as an Americorps member in San Jose, California. She will be attending Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2005. At Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Teresa Gonzalez of Fairfax and Andrew Weigle of Falls Church received associate degrees in Culinary Arts. At the Florida campus Amanda Duarte of Falls Church received her associate degree in Business Administration. At Hobart and William Smith College Melissa Hoplit received her bachelor’s degree. And at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, Andrew Mugler graduated with high distinction, receiving a bachelor’s of science degree in Physics.

At Lehigh University, Christopher McDonald was named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2004 semester. At the University of Delaware, City residents Kristina Granger and Katherine Vodra took home Dean’s List honors as well. At Northwood University Stephanie Cox received the same honors for her spring achievements.

Valerie Schofield, a well spoken graduate of JEB Stuart High School took home first prize in the 2004 Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club annual speech contest, the topic this year was “Lend a Hand.”

Looking to lend a hand of your own? Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR) of Fairfax County is looking for volunteers to work with inmates and families of inmates of the Fairfax County Jail. Volunteers will take part in mentoring sessions with inmates as well as teach classes in the jail. The focus is on helping inmates make a smooth transition back into the community. Training sessions will take place on September 18 and 25. For more information contact the Volunteer Department at (703) 246-3033.

The Falls Church-based DC Metro No More Homeless Pets held a silent auction on Saturday, June 26 managing to raise $3,200 for animals in need. The money will go towards hosting the D.C. area’s first large scale Super Pet Adoption on September 18 at Fairfax Corner.

From a person who’s pet is a way of life, Falls Church resident Julie Carroll is featured in the new book published by The Seeing Eye called Every Step Forward. The book talks about the unique partnership between blind people and their seeing-eye dogs.

Rebecca Benham of Falls Church was recently selected to participate in the highly selective laboratory research program at Hamilton University. She will be spending 10 weeks studying the effects of Pctopamine on the physiological reproductive behavior of Bees.

Happy where you’re working? Mitretek in Falls Church was recently named among the top 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America by the Society for Human Resource Management.

For non-profit organizations looking for renewal, Mediastudio, a Falls Church-based branding and graphic design agency is holding a 24 hour Creatathon to provide free graphic design and public relations services. Groups that would not normally be able to afford their services are encouraged to come by for an image make-over.

As part of a national project, Clay Café is running a local contest in their three locations to design new tiles for the “Tiles for America Memorial” created in honor of the victims of 9/11. Ten entries will be selected and sent to New York to be a part of the memorial. Contestants are encouraged to show up at the studios and take part in the contest. The five dollar entry fee includes a 4” tile and studio time.

Finally, congratulations to Brian and Leslie Scott who, on the evening of July 2, were blessed with a baby girl, Patricia Anne Scott.

The Falls Church City Public Schools bid farewell to two of its School Board Members recently: Sara Hassan and Robert Storck. Each served a four year term and chose not to seek reelection. These dedicated individuals were praised by their fellow School Board members at their last regular meeting in June. School Board members recited the pair’s contributions and added their memories and thanks as well. Ms. Hassan was thanked for her leadership and diplomacy during the siting of the new school and the passage of the referendum, as well as her contributions of School Board reports to the PTA newsletters over the years. Mr. Storck was praised for his help with the Green/High Performance School Committee, his understanding of the School Board's participation in the legislative process and his "can-do" attitude and sense of humor. Chairman Ruth Brock thanked them for their dedicated service and presented each with a certificate notifying them that a commemorative brick engraved with their names and years of service will be placed in the George Mason Business In Education (BIE) pathway. “You've been a great team we've really done a lot and it's been great working together," Brock Said. Ms. Hassan thanked the Board members for their kind words and said that "it's been a great pleasure to be on the Board for four years; it's been a great learning experience, a great growing experience, and a pleasure to serve the citizens, and I want to thank them for the opportunity." Mr. Storck added that he feels he's gotten so much out of being on the School Board; that he wished he had done it sooner; and that he also "learned a lot from everyone and it's really been a lot of fun."