Falls Church City News & Notes

It’s the middle of the summer but Falls Church students are still racking up the academic accomplishments, proving that there is no time limit on genius.

For starters, Stephanie M. Cox of Falls Church has graduated from Northwood University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Ranging back a few months, Falls Church resident Amy Hobbie and Molly Cahill of Arlington both graduated from Williams College on June 6.

Caroline Fritz of Fairfax and Surbhi Gupta of Falls Church graduated from Swarthmore College on June 1. Congratulations to the two scholars and all other local graduates.

At Hollins University, Irene E. Farrow of Falls Church made the honor roll for the 2004 Spring Semester, posting higher than a 3.5 grade-point average.

Meanwhile, back in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Daniel John Coleman of Falls Church joined Arlington residents Melanie Pienknagura, Michael Swigert, Daphne McCurdy, Michaela Lederer and Andrew Pelkey on the Tufts University Spring 2004 Dean’s List.

Local students Michael Walton of Flint Hill School and Veronica Yeh of George C. Marshall High School recently attended and graduated from the Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute sponsored by Volunteer Fairfax. During the weeklong program, the students garnered a fundamental understanding of the need and potential for community service and learned how young people can apply leadership skills to make their communities better places to live.

The Veterans Common area at Little Fall St. and Old Dominion Trail is open to all veterans and their families, residents and youth to share in respect to veterans, F.C. resident Len Rinaldi Sr. reminds. The area hosts periodic ceremonies and any wishing to participate or volunteer in any capacity would be appreciated. For more information call Len at 703-534-2804.

Mark your calendars and check out ours next week as Cherry Hill Park screens the first Sunset Cinema in the Park event. The movie, Freaky Friday starring Jamie Lee Curtis, will begin at 8 p.m. on August 13 at 8 p.m. The park is located at 312 Park Ave. in Falls Church.

The American Red Cross recently named Susan Aarhus the Executive Director for its Fairfax and Falls Church office based in Herndon.

Blues and Rhythm, a musical news publication based in England features Falls Church’s Sonny Warner on the cover. The photo is from a 2003 FIRSTfriday event. To check out the magazine visit www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk.

Be on the look out for a Travel Channel special titled Marvel Super Heroes’ Guide to New York City featuring Spider-Man creator Stan Lee and produced and directed by Falls Church’s own Molly Hermann. Hermann produced the project over the past year, taking a break to have her baby (welcome to Falls Church Greta!). The show airs August 15.

CrossLink International, a humanitarian aid ministry, in association with the Virginia Hospital Center-Arlington Honduras Brigade, will be packing a 40-foot container filled with medical supplies and equipment for the Brigade’s trip to La Ceiba, Honduras at the CrossLink facility at 427 N. Maple Ave. in Falls Church. For more information call 703-534-5465.

Gina Boryan a teacher at Easter Seals Child Development Center in Falls Church has been awarded a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The credential was awarded by the Counci for Professional Recognition in Washington D.C., which represents the early childhood profession.

A crowd of students gathered at Graham Road Elementary School on Friday to take part in the fifth annual backpack giveaway. In an effort to assist with back to school costs, the staff and clients of the global law firm of Reed Smith,LLP, backed by the assistance of numerous community businesses, handed out backpacks, pencils, pens, notebooks, paper, and other supplies integral to the students' education. Staff from the firm have also been instrumental in finding fundraising ideas for the school, including silent on-line auctions, marathons, and raffles. While Fairfax County is generally quite wealthy, many of the students at Graham Road would have difficulty footing the bill for the annual educational expenses. (News-Press Photo)