Honoring Jeffrey; Helping Others
Angel Kisses 5K/2K is this Sunday.
Jeffrey Virostek was 2 when he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). He went into remission after aggressive treatment and a bone-marrow transplant; and for nine months, he was able to just be a little boy again, playing with friends and enjoying his family.
Women Mean Business
In the two months since the much-hyped and dreaded sequester took effect, the daily economic forecast has been almost as painful as the slow grinding of bureaucratic wheels. But here’s some good economic news, especially for aspiring female entrepreneurs: the numbers are in your favor.
Warner Named Officer of Month
PFC Jared Warner is the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Month. He was honored at the April 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory committee.
Centre View School Notes May 1
School notes for Centreville and Chantilly natives.
Rocky Run Student Wins Writing Contest
Peter Hwang is only in the seventh grade at Rocky Run Middle School, but he recently won the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) writing contest. He wrote an essay answering the question, “What would you say to the Founding Fathers?”
Former Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson Jr.
Frank Culbertson Jr. was a NASA astronaut for 18 years. He’s flown three space missions and logged more than 144 days in space as a shuttle commander, pilot, and station crewmember. His last mission launched on the Shuttle Endeavor and lasted 129 days, from Aug. 10-Dec. 17, 2001.
Turbo Tutoring Scholarship
Turbo Tutoring, the local SAT accelerated prep company, awarded its first scholarship (for $500) to Kelly Duncan.
Tara Sankner, ‘Warrior Princess’
Second-grader battles brain cancer.
That’s because Tara, a second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary, is in the fight of her life, battling brain cancer. “My day depends on how she’s doing,” said mom Tammy Sankner. “If she’s having a good day, I’m fine.”
Close Shave at Lees Corner
When second grader Tara Sanker was diagnosed with brain cancer, the staff and faculty at Lees Corner Elementary School got ready to help her through her journey. The first milestone was the day she came into school with a shaved head. Some younger students were confused about the changes Sanker was going through and made some comments and observations that were inadvertently hurtful. Tara’s mom Tammy Sanker, Principal Robert D’Amato and Tara’s teacher Vicki McGorty felt the best way to help Tara was to share her story with the students at Lees Corner Elementary School during the morning news program.
Understanding Autism
In observation of Autism Awareness Month, Union Mill Elementary students participated in a sensory simulation experience during their physical education classes on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5. The activities included an obstacle course which simulated things that children with autism often find to be helpful, such as jumping and bouncing. Other stations included a mirror station that simulated perception confusion, a glove station that simulated fine motor challenges, and a listening station that simulated the filtering of external stimuli, all of which can be challenging for students with autism. The experience gave students a better understanding of autism. The sensory simulation activities were coordinated and led by Union Mill PTA Alternative Education Co-Chairs, Melyssa Plath and Nicole Moore, and PE teachers Jenny Murray and Elizabeth Cross. Several Union Mill parent volunteers were also on hand to assist the students at each station.
Celebrating Erin’s Life
Event promotes her legacy.
Erin Peterson was just 18 when she became a victim of the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. But her parents, Centreville’s Grafton and Celeste Peterson, make sure the Westfield High grad’s legacy lives on. They established the Erin Peterson Fund to continue their daughter’s commitment to reaching goals through education and aiding people in need. They also began an annual Gospel Celebration in remembrance of her and to raise money for the fund.
Fenn Convicted of Child Porn Charges
A former special-education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary has been convicted in federal court of two, child-pornography charges. He is Robert C. Fenn, 27, of Emerald Chase Drive in Oak Hill.
‘They Love Each Other with All Their Hearts’
Chantilly High presents ‘You Can’t Take it With You.’
A funny and heartwarming story of an American family is portrayed in Chantilly High’s upcoming production of “You Can’t Take It with You.” It’s the school’s Cappies show and, said Director Ed Monk, “It’s double-cast because we have such a huge group of talented juniors and seniors.”
30 Years Prison for Handyman’s Death
Champean sentenced for May 2010 Centreville homicide.
Jose Cardona was a handyman and gardener on a huge, Centreville estate. On May 17, 2010, he also became something else — a hero who died protecting his employer’s son from armed intruders.
Student Peace Award Winner
Mountain View High School selected senior Aracely (Chely) Cifuentes to be its recipient of the Student Peace Award. Originally from Guatemala, Chely believes in the power of mentoring, tutoring, and motivating young people in the foster care system as a means of assuring survival.