News and Notes

Soliciting Service Volunteers

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is seeking faith and community-based partners from throughout Northern Virginia to implement an innovative 10-session youth tobacco prevention program, Get Real About Tobacco, either this Spring or over the Summer. The Program is funded by the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, and has modules for four age groups from K-12. Participating organizations receive a $500 stipend upon successful conclusion of the program. For more information, e-mail Geraldine.gevanthor@fairfaxcounty.gov or call Geri Storm at 703-934-2695.

Coming Soon to a Windshield Near You

Washington-Lee High School student’s Wilson Ward Kemp is taking his art design on the road. The 17-year-old’s design was chosen for the official 2005-06 decals for Arlington County. The design depicts the Key Bridge as viewed from a frozen Potomac River. Kemp and three other finalists were each awarded a $500 U.S. Savings Bond from James Monroe Bank. The other finalists were 17-year-old Laura Downes of Wakefield High, Stephanie Claros, 19, Wakefield, and Timothy Kouril, 17, a student at Yorktown.

Honor Roll Call

Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg announced that Katrina Kuldell and Michelle Cottrell, both of Falls Church, have made the Dean’s List for the 2004 Fall Semester.

Nora Elizabeth Lynch of Falls Church achieved the same honor at the University of South Carolina. Heather Lynn Gardner of Alexandria, Sean Patrick Beatty of Fairfax, Barbara Lee Aasen of Falls Church, William Kyle Belmondo of Herndon and Jacob Dean Wood of Reston each made the Dean’s List at Washington State University. Not to be out-done Daniel Robin Bray, Joseph Carl Mauro and Tesia Eisenmenger Smith, all of Falls Church and all current students at Wake Forest, also made the Dean’s List.

Likewise, Kenneth Lasso, GMHS Class of ’01, made the Dean’s List as a senior with a 3.75 GPA during the fall semester at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.

Meanwhile a slew of former Falls Church students made the Dean’s List at Virginia Tech. Take a deep breath before reading this list out loud: Antonio Kassar, Laura Kennedy, Shannon Calnan, Hoon Chung, Devin Dasbach, Christopher Holland, Peter Iliev, Michael Jamros, Jessica Lewis, Kevin Lieu, Jimmy Naemi, Cristhian Nunez Zarate, Jennifer Sanchez, Jeffrey Twigg, Tam Vu, Rebecca Buxton, Susan Cordovilla, Elizabeth Delibert, Ian Hay, Courtney Heck, Morgan Hobbs, Natalie Lauby, Oscar Maradiaga, Gustavo Moura, George Pascoe, Maggie Pascoe, Juliana Portnoy, James Scarano, Kendall Stone, Victor Morgan, Chuong Tran, John Bumgarner, Steven Cave, Karlyn Gould, Rachel Leonard, Andrew Montgomery, Derek Orban, Spencer Patton, John Ryan, Megan Ryan, Joanna Sadler, Geoffery Schrager, Zachary Schwind and Sharon Surette. Congratulations to all the local braniacs.

Trumpeting Successes

Six George Mason students made the Middle and High School District Band at Hayfield High School in Springfield last weekend. Nathan Ballou, Alicia Hartstack, Elena Martinez, Holly McAlpin, Tina Parson and Maggie Person all achieved the honor. The students auditioned, rehearsed and performed a concert over the three-day event. Tina Parson and Alicia Hartstack also earned the opportunity to audition for the State Band at James Madison University Feb. 26.

This coming weekend, seven students will participate in the District Chorus competition at Hayfield High School: Gavin Argo, Dan Burkey, Jason Martinez, Dan McDonald, Elizabeth Miller, Brittany Smith and Daisy Torla.

FCEF Divies Up Grant Money

The Falls Church Education Foundation recently divided $5,000 between six school projects. Among the projects receiving a portion of the grant were Falls Church City Bands; Opportunities for Success, providing alternative recreational/educational activities to high school students including a badminton club and weekend field trips; Glories Happy Hat; Big River, allowing American Sign Language and Pre-IB English high school students participate in an interactive theatre workshop and attend an award-winning musical production of ‘Big River’ at Fords Theatre; Williamsburg Teacher Institute in Early American History; and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School’s TV Studio.

FCPS Students Reap Artistic Rewards

A total of 348 middle and high school students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools have won regional awards in the Scholastic Art Awards competition sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Their work will be on display at Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Community Cultural Center from Friday, Feb. 4 through Thursday, Feb. 17. An awards cerFalls Church High School drama students placed second in the Virginia High School League’s National District One-Act Play competition held January 26. Directed by Amanda Helms and Chandra Latson, Take Five involved six actors and three technical cast members.

Pimmit Hills High Ceremonies Set

Pimmit Hills High School Graduation has been set for the Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Little Theatre at Falls Church High School. 50 students will receive their diplomas at the proceedings. Edgar Guerra, Pimmit alumnus of 2002, will be the keynote graduation speaker.

Roy’s Hopes for Happy Trails with +SmithGifford

+SmithGifford, a nationally recognized advertising agency based in Falls Church, announced that it was been selected to be the agency of record for Roy Rogers Restaurants. Roy Rogers as more than 50 locations in the mid-Atlantic region and is one of the most recognizable chains on the East Coast, particularly to those traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Prescott Sworn In

First Horizon Bank, a full-service financial services company, announced that Dennis Prescott, vice president and manager of the Falls Church financial center, has been sworn in to serve a two-year appointment on the Board of Directors of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.

Presidential Planner Speaks to Fairfax Group

Michael Crain, Managing Director of the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee, will be giving a keynote presentation at “Events 101,” an event-planning workshop presented by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairfax County’s South County Government Center.