Programming Marathon at TJ
Area high schoolers impress instructors at the 24-hour computer programming marathon.
When a voice over the loudspeaker announced, “free swag outside,” a stampede of teenagers cleared out the Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) gymnasium in less than a minute. Even after almost 20 hours of coding and programming, the students were at no loss for enthusiasm, especially for free paraphernalia decorated with the TJ Hackathon logo. Kim Holton, a volunteer whose son was participating in the hackathon, said, “They all seem really tired and they’re dragging, but they’re excited.”
Chesterbrook Elementary Inaugurates Renovated Outdoor Stairway
Representatives from the McLean Community Foundation and Transurban Fluor joined Chesterbrook staff and families for a ribbon cutting ceremony at their Earth Day Celebration on Monday, April 22, to inaugurate their newly renovated outdoor stairway.
Poetry Corner
The Wave
see it coming. I see the leading, massive wave marking the peak of high tide It rumbles towards me like a bull to a matador Building up force the closer and closer it gets until The icy, stinging slap of the wave slams over my body Lifting me up and off my feet Tumbling into the deep blue watery depths of the ocean. The salt water explodes through my nose As foggy bits of shells mixed with sand fly past my eyes in the undercurrent My arms are ripped, scratched and burned from the ocean floor And my lungs scream for air As I tumble head over heels towards the shore.
Oakcrest School Announces Artwork of the Year Awards
Oakcrest School recently announced the winners of the Artwork of the Year Awards at Fine Arts Night: Grace Allen, seventh grade, won among middle schoolers and Jane North, 12th grade, at the upper school level.
Teacher of the Year
Longfellow Middle School CTE teacher recognized by the Southern Business Education Association.
Search the faces of Helene Safford’s students, and you won’t find one look of boredom. No signs of restlessness or clock-watching either. In fact, the expressions on the seventh and eighth graders’ faces in Safford’s speech arts class portray nothing but enthusiasm. On a recent Monday afternoon, the computer-lined classroom featured students milling about, and the noise level was high. But Safford wouldn’t have it any other way. The students were working in groups, consulting with their peers and with Safford on a broadcasting technology project.
Spring Hill Students Win Earth Day Awards
The school celebrates Earth Day with a multi-media celebration and contest.
Spring Hill Elementary School kicked off a new tradition this year for Earth Day. The entire student body shared their own interpretation of the importance of Earth Day through a school-wide art show and talent contest. The students created a variety of artistic creations, ranging from visual art to poetry and performance art. The celebration concluded with a recycled-goods fashion show.
Celebrating Earth Day at Churchill Road
Churchill Road Elementary lived up to its Green Flag Award status by promoting a variety of eco-friendly programs and activities leading up to Earth Day.
Bowling in Support of Junior Achievement
More than 100 McLean- and Washington, D.C.-based KPMG employees and their families bowled at Bowl America Falls Church on Wednesday, April 24 and Saturday, April 27, as part of Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Washington’s annual JA Bowl.
McLean Orchestra Hosts ‘Midnight in Paris’
Orchestra offers its final “Season of Imagination” concert on May 4.
Trust people who wear formal attire as their uniform, and those who direct and administer their efforts, to know how to put on a gala. Sunday, April 21, was the night of the McLean Orchestra’s annual fundraiser held at the Hilton Tysons Corner. Themed “Midnight in Paris” from reception start through a dinner that included a live auction, acknowledgements and awards, and finally dancing to the tunes of Ed Witles The Elegant DJ, the black-tie evening was as well-arranged, conducted and received as any of the musical performances for which the orchestra is known.
Comstock, Wolf to Host Human Trafficking Forum in McLean
Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-34) will host a town hall meeting on Friday, May 3, with U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10), Del. Tim Hugo (R-40), the Richmond Justice Initiative and a panel of local experts, federal and state officials to educate the community about human sex trafficking in Virginia and both how the commonwealth is cracking down on this growing crime and how residents can further increase awareness of the threat posed in the area.
Marymount Professor, McLean Resident Named Virginia Counselor Educator of the Year
A Marymount University professor was honored recently for her work to educate and train school counselors.
Langley Hosts Relay for Life
Event will be first at school in 15 years.
Langley High School will be the site of the first Relay for Life event in more than 15 years starting Saturday, April 28. The event will be a 12-hour fundraiser walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Fashion On the Go
Janet Gonzalez brings mobile boutique to Northern Virginia.
As the youngest of four girls, Janet Gonzalez got used to hand-me-down clothes at a young age. The child of two parents who lived through the Great Depression, she became interested in fashion very early, often riding her bike miles away to look at the latest trends on stores and magazines.
Opening Day for McLean Little League
Players parade down Westmoreland, kick off 2013 season.
Hundreds of boys and girls kicked off their 2013 season Saturday, April 13, as McLean Little League celebrated opening day at the McLean Little League Fields. The players, coaches and parents started their morning at McLean High School before marching almost a mile down Westmoreland Street to the fields.
New Benches at Cooper Middle
Four new benches, nine azalea shrubs and three dogwood trees have been installed in strategic locations around the Cooper Middle School campus as of Saturday, April 6.