Celebrating ‘Everyday’ Heroes
Molina Healthcare honors local residents for making a difference in the community.
In the 1980s, Vienna resident John Horejsi and a “ragtag” group of social justice pioneers learned that Virginia was charging sales tax on food stamps. They discovered the sales tax boosted the state’s coffers by $9.5 million every year, money that they believed belonged to poor families for food or other necessary items.
Fairfax County a ‘Trailblazer’ in Using Social Media
Sign up for Technology Town Hall on June 1.
The digital and information revolutions have changed nearly every aspect of our lives. With the increasing popularity of smartphones, tablet computers and laptops, many Americans are connected to the Internet almost constantly. This rapidly increasing ubiquity of the Internet has helped people connect across geographic and cultural barriers.
Week in Herndon
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce recognized Del. Tom Rust (R-86) at their annual Legislative Awards Recognition Dinner for his support on initiatives that have helped move Virginia forward. Rust received an “A+” rating for supporting pro-business legislation during the 2013 General Assembly session.
Quick Takes
Q&A with Pastor King Rhodes.
Pastor King Rhodes is founder and senior pastor of His Church International Christian Center (HCICC) in Springfield, and has been involved in Christian ministry and community outreach for more than 20 years. As a longtime advocate for foster youth, Rhodes and his ministry help support the mission of Fairfax Families4Kids, a foster-mentoring program for teens in Fairfax County. On Saturday, May 18, Rhodes’ church will sponsor the organization’s 5-K Walk during Foster Care Appreciation Month.
Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm Park
Spring Farm Day was held at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, and although the weather was overcast, the event was well attended.
‘Day Prom’ Celebrated
Eight high schools participate in daytime prom for special needs students.
Prom is pretty intimidating as it is: date, hair, dress, food, limo, flowers, dancing... gasp. But the annual event is also a privilege, a rite of high school passage that bonds students through shared experience for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, many students with special needs will never share that experience with their peers. Their physical or intellectual disabilities can make participating in such a large and emotional gathering overwhelming, uncomfortable, and in some cases, simply impossible.
Area Students Receive Hispanic Leadership Alliance Scholarships
Recipients are first in their families to attend college.
Every year, The Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA), a non-profit organization based in Northern Virginia, gives out scholarships to Latino high school students for post-secondary education. The alliance identifies itself as “a group of area residents committed to helping its students achieve their highest academic potential.”
Brief: Boyd School Celebrates Diversity at International Festival
The Boyd School hosted their annual International Children’s Festival on Saturday, May 4, and students, parents, staff and friends participated in the celebration of diversity of the school and the neighboring community.
From Herndon to Sierra Leone
Floris United Methodist Church leads student service trip.
Emily Lopynski started her Pen Pal relationship with Afiju, a boy of about the same age from the Child Rescue Centre in Bo, Sierra Leone, when she was in the third grade. Lopynski, a Herndon resident, just finished her freshman year at William and Mary College. She and Afiju are still in touch. In fact, their communication over the years has grown. “It was so wonderful when he got access to Facebook,” Lopynski said. “We could really keep up with each other and have a real conversation.” A vast improvement, considering that for most of the time since the two first “met,” their friendship relied on the exchange of letters that sometimes took as long as five months from the writing of one to the reading by the other.
Brief: Technology and the Arts High School Competition
High school students across Fairfax County will have the opportunity to put a creative twist on their computer talents this spring as they take part in the Council for the Arts of Herndon’s ninth annual SAIC Technology and the Arts Competition. The innovative program challenges students in all Fairfax and Arlington County high schools to create works of animation, digital art, digital music and digital photography, blending technology and artistry into one cutting-edge masterpiece.
‘Day Prom’ Celebrated
On Thursday, May 9, Herndon High School hosted a very special prom at the Waterford at Fair Oaks in Fairfax. Called the “Day Prom” the event is held for students with special needs that might not be able to attend their general education prom.
Natasha Parnian and Andrew Farms Engaged
Natasha Parnian, of Reston, and Andrew Farms, of Chantilly, are engaged and plan to wed Saturday, June 15.
Week in Herndon
The 129th edition of Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars is coming to Dulles Town Center. The classic, American-style circus, complete with elephants, tigers, aerialists and acrobats, mystifying magic and hilarious clowns, will appear for performances on Friday, May 10, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 11, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 12, at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Farmers Markets Open In Herndon
Thursdays are Herndon Fun Days from July 11 to Aug. 29.
Thursday, May 2, marked the opening of two farmers markets in Herndon, one in the Town of Herndon, and the other at Frying Pan Farm Park. Fairfax County has been a strong supporter of local farmers markets. As stated on their webpage, products sold at farmers markets are produced by vendors within 125 miles of Fairfax County.
Friday Night Live in Herndon
Gonzo's Nose opens new concert season on the Town Green.
Friday, May 3, marked the first Friday Night Live concert of the season for the Town of Herndon. This popular concert series began with a performance by the band Gonzo’s Nose, a Virginia-based band that has been performing since 1996. This year is the 19th season of Friday Night Live. Like all previous shows, this performance was held on the Town Green between the Herndon Fortnightly Library and the Herndon Municipal Center. The annual series brings many cover bands to Herndon to perform with no tickets or reservations required.