Safety Check: ‘They’re Saving Lives Today’
Officers check commercial trucks for violations.
At first glance, it looked like a big-rig parade, with large commercial trucks lined up one behind the other in a parking lot off Route 28 in Chantilly.
‘Whatever I Do Will Only Make Me Stronger’
Robinson student wins Hispanic Leadership Alliance scholarship.
Born in Bolivia, Lucia Maldonado came to the U.S. at age 7 with her mother and younger sister. Now 18, she’s about to graduate from Robinson Secondary School and is the recipient of a Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA) scholarship.
Planning for the Future
Robinson’s Latin American Student Association is growing.
To encourage leadership among Robinson Secondary School’s Hispanic population, Ruth Azimi and Enrique Fernandez co-sponsor LASA, the Latin American Students Association. It’s helping the students’ parents, as well.
Roundups for May 30
Making False Report Charged City of Fairfax police have charged a 27-year-old Centreville woman with making a false police report regarding a robbery and assault.
LeMunyon Reviews Transportation
Delegate addresses Brookfield homeowners, May 24.
Transportation was the topic last week when Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67) addressed members of the Brookfield Civic Association. And he brought good news to the residents about three area projects.
Tackling a Traffic Trouble Spot
VDOT begins study of I-66/Route 28 interchange.
The traffic-congestion problem at the I-66/Route 28 Interchange in the Centreville/Chantilly area isn’t going to be solved anytime soon. But at least it’s on VDOT’s radar.
Settlement in Home Explosion
Gas company is fined and is replacing pipes.
If his children hadn’t insisted on looking at Christmas lights on their way home from dinner, Thuan Nguyen, his wife and their two sons might well have died in the Dec. 19, 2010, gas explosion and fire that demolished their Chantilly home.
Encore Presents “Dancin’ Fool” at NOVA
Premiering their new show here before taking it to Greece this summer are the singers and dancers of Encore Theatrical Art Project. They’ll perform “Dancin’ Fool” on Saturday, June 9, at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 10, at 1 and 4 p.m.
Rocky Run Girl Power
Seventh-grade eCybermission team is second in Virginia.
The boys on Rocky Run Middle School’s eighth-grade eCybermission team won the Virginia state championship, but the girls of the seventh-grade team are no slouches, either. They, too, did their school proud, finishing second in the state.
Broadway Comes to Town
Centreville High’s choral concert is June 7-8.
Centreville High School’s Choral Department will present “Broadway Pops,” its final concert of the year, Thursday-Friday, June 7- 8, at 7:30 p.m., in the school’s Skip Maiden Theater. Tickets are $5 for adults at the door; students are free.
Kicking Up Their Heels
Encore presents ‘Dancin’ Fool’ at NOVA.
Premiering their new show here before taking it to Greece this summer are the singers and dancers of Encore Theatrical Art Project. They’ll perform "Dancin’ Fool" on Saturday, June 9, at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 10, at 1 and 4 p.m.
Centreville Man Indicted: Mortgage-Fraud Scheme
A Centreville man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged part in a $1.5 million mortgage-fraud scheme. He is Jea Min Lee, 34.
Roundups for May 24
Cabaret in Reema’s Honor The Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is this Saturday, May 26, at Westfield High. The show starts at 7 p.m., but the doors open at 6 p.m. for a bake sale and silent auction. It’s an evening of songs, dances and comedy sketches in memory of Westfield High grad and Virginia Tech victim Samaha.
Children’s Play at Chantilly High
‘Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother’
Leave it to Chantilly High to take a classic fairytale, turn it on its head and come up with something hilarious. And that’s just what the school has done with its upcoming children’s show, “Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother.”
Brighter Future for Labor Center
More workers participating and CIF receives $20,000 grant.
Not only is the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) running a successful labor-resource center, but it’s just received the 2012 Meyer Foundation Grant for $20,000.
Art Student Wins Gold Key Award
Hamin “Paul” Chung liked to draw ever since he was a child. But he wasn’t serious about his artwork until he was in high school and started thinking about what he wanted to do after graduation.
Spotlight Shines on Three Local Schools
Westfield receives 20 Cappie nominations.
The Cappie nominations for outstanding high-school theater were just announced and, all together, Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield received 30 nominations. The awards to the winners will be presented Sunday, June 10, at the annual Cappies Gala at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Hats off to Centreville High
Newsweek ranks it sixth in Virginia
Newsweek has just published its rankings of America’s Best High Schools for 2012, and Centreville High is ranked sixth in Virginia and 246th out of 1,000 schools surveyed in the U.S.
Woodson, Fairfax Shows Receive Cappie Nods
Both Woodson and Fairfax High have received Cappie nominations for their spring, theatrical productions. The winners will be revealed during the June 10 Cappies Gala at The Kennedy Center.
Spotlight on High-School Theater
Paul VI receives nine Cappie nominations.
The Cappie nominations for outstanding high-school theater were just announced and, all together, Robinson, Woodson, Paul VI and Fairfax received 29 nominations. The awards to the winners will be presented Sunday, June 10, at the annual Cappies Gala at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Fairfax Pair Convicted in Mortgage-Fraud Scheme
Two Fairfax residents pleaded guilty in federal court last week for their roles in a $1.5 million mortgage-fraud scheme. They are Peter Kim, 39, and Erin Cullen, 32.
Recognition is Given for Play’s Premiere
Robinson receives 10 Cappie nominations.
In November 2011, Robinson Secondary had the honor of performing the world premiere of an original play, Ken Ludwig’s "Midsummer/Jersey." And now, that play has received 10 Cappie nominations for excellence in high-school theater.
Chantilly Day: Coming Together as a Community
Thousands enjoyed the first-ever Chantilly Day, Saturday, May 12, in the Sully Place Shopping Center.
Clifton Caboose 5K Raises $10,000
The Town of Clifton’s 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run raised an estimated $10,000. It was held Saturday, May 12, and 581 people participated — 474 in the 5K and 107 in the 1-mile fun run/walk. Said Race Chairman Gary Anderson: “We had a great race this year with a strong turnout.”
Happy 30th Birthday to Walney Visitor Center
In a nod to yesteryear, children were churning butter and hand-cranking ice cream, Saturday morning, in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. But it wasn’t because the electricity was out — these activities were part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Walney Visitor Center.
E.C. Lawrence Park To Gain Pilot Project
Looking at area residents having fun at E.C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly — and seeing its lush, green forest — it’s not immediately apparent that anything needs fixing. But the experts know better, and they’re doing something about it.
Teen Charged with Damaging Mosque
In January, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community — whose motto is “Love for all, hatred for none” — were looking forward to the completion of construction of their new mosque in Chantilly.
Centre View Roundups for May 17
More MathCounts Success Coached by Rocky Run Middle School’s MathCounts coach, teacher Melanie Roller, Virginia’s MathCounts team came in fifth last week in national competition. And one of the team members, Rocky Run eighth-grader Robin Park, was ranked 11th in the U.S. in the individual standings. In March, Rocky Run’s MathCounts team won the state championship, and Robin, the team captain, finished second in the state. So he got to compete on Virginia’s team in Nationals, May 10-11, in Orlando, Fla., with the other three highest scorers in the state, and Roller coached them.
Chantilly Student Wins Heroes Essay Contest
Teachers can have lifelong impacts on their students and, in Briana Neuberger’s case, memories of an elementary-school teacher helped her win first prize in an essay contest. She also won a $1,000 scholarship.
Remembrance Cabaret for Reema is May 26
When many of her friends and relatives recall Reema Samaha, they picture her on a stage performing. She acted in Westfield High theatrical productions, but was especially known for her beautiful and graceful dancing.
Pramstaller Leaving Chantilly High
Chantilly High choral teacher Sarah Pramstaller is the lead choreographer for Jazz & Pizzazz, aided by Glenn Cockrell, Drew Ross and Assistant Band Director Chris Singleton. And while she’ll love watching the students perform the dances she choreographed for them, she’ll also have mixed feelings.
Chantilly High Presents 26th Annual Jazz & Pizzazz
When it comes to rousing, high-octane, simply dazzling entertainment, it’s hard to beat Chantilly High’s annual Jazz & Pizzazz show. Starring the Touch of Class Show Choir, Chantilly Jazz Band and Chantilly Combo, it’s a colorful kaleidoscope of music, costumes, lights and sound.
Centreville High Raising Funds for Artificial-turf Fields
Brick by brick, Centreville High is raising money to install two, artificial-turf, athletic fields to replace the school’s existing grassy ones. It’s nearing its goal, but still needs more funds to bring its plan to fruition.
Clifton Caboose 5K Successful; Raises $10,000
The Town of Clifton’s 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run was a huge success, raising an estimated $10,000. It was held Saturday, May 12, and 581 people participated – 474 in the 5K and 107 in the 1-mile fun run/walk.
Student at Paul VI Wins Poetry Contest
The school community at Paul VI High knows Sean Pugerude as an outstanding actress and singer who dazzled audiences last month in the lead role of the musical, "Hello Dolly."
Rocky Run Against the World
Robowiz team develops groundbreaking research.
With food safety being of vital importance these days, a group of students mainly from Rocky Run Middle School created a way to prevent e coli from forming in reusable grocery bags. For their efforts, they took second place in a state championship and third in the world.
Shall We Dance?
Special-ed students have fun at day prom.
Proms in the daytime can be just as much fun as those in the evening. And the special-ed students attending the FCPS Day Prom, last Thursday morning, May 3, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks had a great time.
Happy 30th Birthday to Center
Walney Visitor Center celebrates three decades.
In a nod to yesteryear, children were churning butter and hand-cranking ice cream, Saturday morning, in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. But it wasn’t because the electricity was out — these activities were part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Walney Visitor Center.
Roundups for May 9
Worker Dies on the Job A Herndon man working on a job in Chantilly died Sunday after an accident involving heavy equipment. Fairfax County police identified him as Gerardo Santiago Paulette Ruiz, 47. The tragedy occurred May 6, shortly before 3 p.m., at a business in the 4100 block of Lafayette Center Drive. Police say Ruiz was operating a forklift in the warehouse area and “apparently attempted to pass through a doorway when the forklift struck an overhead beam.” The beam then dislodged and fell on him. Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local Man Pleads Guilty to Murder
He killed his father in Centreville.
Gbassay “Omar” Koroma was slated to stand trial for murder, May 7, in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Instead, he pleaded guilty in March and will be sentenced next month.
Clifton Rolls Out the Welcome Mat
It’s the 40th annual Spring Homes Tour.
French chandeliers, antique furnishings, original paintings and whimsical collections are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 40th annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and includes a marketplace, silent auction and raffle, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Paradise Springs Winery.
Saturday Is Chantilly Day
Parade, food, music, cars, children’s activities.
Grab the children, comfy shoes and sunscreen — and come to the Sully Place Shopping Center, this Saturday, May 12, for the first-ever Chantilly Day celebration. It’s free and open to everyone, no matter where they live, and promises to be a day of fun and entertainment.
Clifton Rolls Out the Welcome Mat
It’s the 40th annual Spring Homes Tour.
French chandeliers, antique furnishings, original paintings and whimsical collections are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 40th annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and includes a marketplace, silent auction and raffle, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Paradise Springs Winery.
Murder Case Goes to Grand Jury
Testimony heard about Centreville woman’s death.
Dressed in the green outfit of a Fairfax County prisoner, Benjamin Luke Walker listened in court last week while others testified during his preliminary hearing. When they were done, Judge Michael Cassidy sent Walker back to jail and certified the murder case against him to the grand jury.
‘Glimmer of Hope for the Future’
Local man in May 5 VisionWalk.
Centreville’s John McKeown has never seen his children’s faces and he always pictures his wife as being 28. That’s because retinitis pigmentosa (RP) — a genetic condition causing degeneration of the retina and eventual vision loss — caused him to go blind.
Social Change Expands Charitable Giving
After hosting a 7th bake sale in two years and raising over $10,000 for Cookies for Kids Cancer, Centreville resident Julie Sussman decided that it was time to turn the table, so to speak, on her generous and loyal bake sale friends, and allow them to raise money for something they believed in.
Kim Gets Three Years Probation for Marriage Fraud
Centreville resident Yong Hyon Kim, 50, was sentenced in federal court to probation following his conviction for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements to federal agents.
Reading, Writing and eCybermission at Rocky Run Middle School
Not only did Rocky Run Middle School’s eighth-grade eCybermission team win the Virginia state championship, it also captured first place in the Northeastern U.S. Regionals and will compete in nationals in June.
It’s a Race and a Picnic
Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 12.
Anyone can hold a 5K race early in the morning, but the Town of Clifton does things differently. Its 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is Saturday, May 12, with the 1-mile fun run/walk starting at 6 p.m., and the 5K, at 6:30 p.m.
Clifton Celebrates Its 110th Birthday
Bench dedicated in couple’s memory.
With balloons, two cakes and a bench-dedication, residents gathered Saturday afternoon, April 21, in the town park to celebrate Clifton’s 110th birthday. Attendees included state Sen. George Barker (D-39th); Peter Noonan, FCPS Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services, and former town Mayor Jim Chesley, all of whom live in Clifton.