November 22 – 28, 2007
Honest Student Wins Big
Cameron Elementary fourth grade student Leo Mantanico was recently honored for his honesty. While on a field trip to the Capitol of Virginia, Mantanico found a $100 bill on the floor of the House of Delegates chamber. He handed the money over to principal George Towery and the two of them passed it along to their tour guide. Although every effort was made to find the money’s original owner, they could not. The Capitol Tours staff agreed that the unclaimed money should be sent to the student who originally found it. Mantanico was later recognized for his character by the tour supervisor and historian of the division of legislative services of the Virginia State Capitol. Since no one claimed the money, Mantanico received a cashier’s check in the amount of $100, a letter of commendation from the Virginia State Capitol Tour Services and an illustrated booklet about the Capitol.
FCPS Opens Student Registration Office in Reston
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are opening a New Student Registration Office in Reston on Monday, Dec. 3. The new Reston office will be located at 11484 Washington Plaza West, Suite 310. For more information, the telephone number of the new office is 703-668-0690. Also, a map of the site can be found online at www.fcps.edu/maps/lakeannereg.html. The Reston office replaces the Herndon office, which will close its doors on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
PTA Family Quiz Night
On Saturday, the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School PTA, hosted a Family Cafe Quiz Night. Participating families had one hour to complete a 40 question trivia quiz. The event was a fun evening for the family and was greatly enjoyed by all who attended. The restaurant, Ireland s Four Provinces in Falls Church, hosted the family quiz night. The Education Foundation provided the prizes for winners and Flashpoint Productions provided popcorn, snow cones and carnival games. The Middle School PTA hopes to have another quiz night in early 2008.
Annual HS Holiday Bazaar
Washington-Lee High School will hold its 48th Annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Items that will be featured include, jewelry, holiday gifts, collectibles and handmade crafts. There will also be a rich assortment of ethnic foods, representing the school's diversity, available to be purchased and enjoyed. Entertainment will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Ample free parking is provided in the I-66 parking garage. For more information, call 703-527-6976.
Stotler Named Scholar Athlete
With more than one million student – athletes playing high school football, it is a honor when one is chosen as the best of the best for their combined academic and athletic excellence. The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) recently announced the NFF National High School Scholar – Athletes for 2007. The chosen athletes included, Matthew Stotler, East Region – National Capital (Washington, D.C.) Chapter from Yorktown High School located in Arlington, Virginia. The scholar – athlete, Stotler, will be honored during the National Football Foundation's Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Sprinturf, on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. First bestowed in 1991, the NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Award has become one of the most competitive and sought after high school honors in the country. Criteria for the award include, but are not limited to, academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement.
Mason Grad Penning Success at Tampa
University of Tampa senior forward Alison Penland, a George Mason HS graduate Class of 2004, is leading her Division II Sunshine State Conference Champion Spartans into the NCAA Women's Soccer Sweet Sixteen playoffs after a record shattering fourth game winning goal for the season on Sunday in the South East Regional match. She has started every game this season and is the third highest scorer on the team that made the Final Four last year. Alison starred for the Mustangs for four seasons leading them to two State Championships (2002 & 2004) and one Runner Up as the State Player of the Year (2003). She finished her George Mason career with 60 goals and 65 assists in four seasons.
Student to Play in NY Parade
Annandale High School student Peter Epley will play alto saxophone in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 22. Epley is the only student from the Washington, D.C. area to qualify for the band and is one of only three students selected from Virginia. He plays alto sax in the Annandale High School marching band and baritone sax in a symphonic and jazz band.
Grant for Educator
A grant has been awarded to Mary Ellen McCormick, who teaches entrepreneurship at Marshall Academy. McCormick is one of 11 educators nationwide selected to receive a $3,000 grant from the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. McCormick is the only Virginia educator to be selected for the competitive grant. The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education is a national association of 100 member organizations that advocate entrepreneurship education as a lifelong learning process and provide programs for youth and adults.
Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards
The Washington Post’s Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards go to two local principals this year. The winners are Brian Hull of Colin L. Powell Elementary in Centerville and Trudy Taylor of Thomas Jefferson High School in Falls Church. Taylor was selected as principal of the year in Falls Church and Hull in Fairfax County. Awards were based on nominations from both teachers and students. Hull switched from teaching to administration in 1984 and Taylor joined Falls Church schools in 1978. Taylor was named principal at Thomas Jefferson High School in 2003.
