McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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Sports, Page 12

Summer on aHigh NoteNews, Page 8

Marta Sniezek:All-AmericanNews, Page 9

McLean graduate EliseKoehl scored more than200 goals during her four-year high school lacrossecareer. She will continueher lacrosse career at theUniversity of Louisville.

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsMcLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or mclean@connectionnewspapers.com

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Citizen Michael Ducharme haslived with dyslexia since he wasa student. His two daughtersboth have dyslexia. The father,

representing the parents’ movement Decod-ing Dyslexia, spoke at the July 9 schoolboard meeting in support of the proposedFairfax County Public Schools Strategic Planthat specifically addresses challenges in theschools facing students with dyslexia.

“We’re now faced with the fact tomorrowis today, the fierce urgency of now,”Ducharme said. “It’s time for vigorous andpositive action in this plan.”

The plan, which the board approved onThursday night, is a long-term strategicdocument with four main objectives of stu-dent success, caring culture, premierworkforce and resource stewardship. It wasdeveloped with input and feedback fromover 30,000 “stakeholders,” according forFairfax County Public Schools.

“Our growing and vibrant school systemis now the 10th largest district in the UnitedStates, and having a clear plan and focus iscritical to meet the needs of every child anddeliver our Portrait of Graduate,” superin-tendent Dr. Karen Garza said in a statement.“Ignite is about energy – it is about expend-ing the time and effort on the actions nec-essary to close achievement gaps, supportour teachers, provide resources to ourschools and help our students succeed inlife.”

According to the release from FairfaxCounty Public Schools, some of the specificareas for attention and priorities highlightedin the plan include:

*Developing a more holistic approach toeducation by addressing students’ social andemotional needs

*Eliminating achievement gaps*Helping students develop real-world

skills*Creating a balanced assessment frame-

work as a way to decrease instructionalemphasis on test preparation

*Increasing instructional time availableto prepare students for success along withproviding more equitable access to re-sources, especially technology

*Hiring and retaining high quality teach-ers

*Confronting budget issues that have ledto the elimination of educational program-ming and employee positions

The board voted 11 to 1 in favor of theplan, with Springfield representative Eliza-beth Schultz as the only dissenting opin-ion.

“I feel like it sort of became a Mr. PotatoHead: you have all the parts, but you’re notsure what it’s going to look like at the end.”she said. “The biggest concern I have is notspecifically identifying what the knownchallenges are, or perceived challenges are,with changing demographics, growing stu-dent population, types of education our stu-dents are needing... the nexus of all of these

I think we just didn’t get to in this docu-ment.”

Dranesville representative Jane Strausssaid the nature of the plan is that it’s builtto grow and change. “The Strategic Plan isreally a beginning, it’s not an end,” she said,“an evolving plan, not set in stone. It laysout and solidifies our belief in the directionwe need to go. It gives us a roadmap for-ward but does not create guardrails that areso high we cannot make adjustments.”

Providence representative Patty Reed sup-ported the plan and asked there be “detaileddiscussions on how do we actually use thedocument.”

“How do we use it to make budget deci-sions?” Reed asked. “Everything in hereobviously has been well thought out… Butwe all know our budget realities. How canthis document help us make some toughdecisions.”

Dr. Garza, speaking on the plan, said, “Iwould urge this board: Let’s adopt this plan,move forward, spend time perfecting it overtime. Otherwise we’ll continue to spin.”

The plan calls for a quarterly status re-port to be filed, with a school board reas-sessment scheduled for June to make up-dates or adjustments.

THE BOARD ALSO VOTED ON A NEWCHAIRMAN and vice chairman to replaceTammy Derenak Kaufax and Ted Velkoff,respectively, for one-year terms.

In her outgoing remarks, Derenak Kaufaxused candy to sum up some of her experi-ences with the board and its work goingforward.

“We’ve had our Hot Tamales moments, afew Circus Peanuts moments,” she said,“Mostly we’re a group of dedicated Smarties

passionate about our desire to educate thenext generation. To do so effectively, we mustbe funded properly, so we’re always on thehunt for that extra 100 Grand, or million.”

Pat Hynes was nominated as the only can-didate for chairman and subsequently votedthrough.

Board members spoke highly of Hynes’nine years as an elementary school teacherin Fairfax County Public Schools as well asher law background.

“I think the combination of your lawyerlyskills and your very recent and constantview from the classroom to be very impor-tant to this board,” said Strauss.

Mason representative Sandy Evans saidHynes “has been a very thoughtful memberof our board as well as a very candid one.”

Schultz offered her criticism that shewould’ve liked to see more competition forthe position, rather than a decision beingmade prior to the meeting. I think it’shealthy for us as an organization,” she said.But she didn’t withhold her support forHynes, saying the candidate is “going to geta cautious yes from me… the proof will bein the pudding.”

After receiving the gavel from nowformer-chairman Derenak Kaufax, Hynessaid, “The job of the chairman and vicechairman is to protect the process for ev-eryone. Collaboration is an important skilland I will be relearning it this year and look-ing forward to it.”

Ted Velkoff nominated Sandy Evans forthe vice chairman position. Evans also ranunopposed and also carried the vote.

“I would say she played a critical role ina couple of the signature accomplishmentsof this board,” said Velkoff, including “re-form of discipline process, later high schoolstart times.”

“The key trait,” Velkoff added, “is willing-ness to compromise.”

For more information on the “Ignite” Stra-tegic Plan, visit the Fairfax County PublicSchools website www.fcps.edu/news/strategic.shtml.

School board approves “Ignite” StrategicPlan, new chairman and vice chairman.A Beginning, Not an End

Steven L. Greenburg, president ofthe Fairfax County Federation ofTeachers, voices his support forthe new Strategic Plan being votedon by the school board.

Michael Ducharme of DecodingDyslexia applauds the new Strate-gic Plan for Fairfax County PublicSchools for specifically addressingchallenges for students with Dys-lexia.

Pat Hynes accepts the gavel from Tammy DerenakKaufax and begins her term as school board chairman.

FCPS superintendent Dr. Karen Garza comments on thenew Strategic Plan during the school board’s meeting.

Photos courtesy of Fairfax Colic Schools

4 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Ken Moore

The Connection

Katie Simmons Hickey’s daughterRylie, 3, delivered the knockoutpunch in Hickey’s fundraisingfilm for the Leukemia and Lym-

phoma Society.“She’s going to teach the world to beat

cancer,” said Rylie of her mom.The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

honored Great Falls resident and Langleyalumna Hickey as this year’s Woman of theYear.

Hickey called her family and friends whohelped her organize her 10 week campaign“The Knockouts.”

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to have yourcommunity back you the entire way,” saidHickey, in an interview at Katie’s CoffeeHouse.

Hickey raised $277,000 for the Leukemiaand Lymphoma Society by organizing 17events this year, including events at The OldBrogue, Riverbend Park, a Grandmother’sand Mother’s Day Tea and Fashion Show atRiver Bend Country Club, a denim and dia-monds wine tasting and auction at a resi-dence in Great Falls, and a Great Falls Con-cert on the Green.

“It was a second, full time job, no joke,”she said.

HICKEY GOT INVOLVED because herbest friend Colleen Shea was impacted byblood cancer. “Colleen’s fight inspired meto begin supporting LLS through Team inTraining triathlons, Light The Night Walk,Leukemia Cup Poker Runs, and other localevents,” she said.

Shea is now 14 years in remission.Hickey, vice president of The Simmons

Team at George Mason Mortgage, said she

decided to fully immerse herself in raisingawareness and money after a personal trag-edy last October.

“I knew the time had come to re-channelall those negative vibes into something posi-

tive, worthwhile and significant,” she said.“The public awareness we spread and the

number of people I met whose lives havebeen affected by cancer, including our Boyand Girl of the Year, was both overwhelm-

ing and inspiring,” she said.The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

was founded in 1949 and has 59 chaptersin the United States and Canada. The orga-nization funds lifesaving blood cancer re-search around the world and provides in-formation and support services regardingleukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s diseaseand myeloma.

Hickey and Kevin Rohalmin, CEO of Presi-dential Detailing, led 22 candidates whocollectively raised $1.81 million for theNational Capital Area Chapter, a newrecord.

The Man and the Woman of the Year cam-paign is a fundraising competition in com-munities across the United States to raisemoney for cancer research in honor of lo-cal children who are blood cancer survivors.

Visit www.lls.org or call the InformationResource Center at 800-955-4572.

“I am honored to be tied to LLS for therest of my life,” said Hickey.

OUT OF 900 CANDIDATES across thecountry, Hickey learned she was named thisyear’s National Woman of the Year runnerup on July 7.

Her family, friends, and other attendeesgave her a standing ovation last weekendwhen she was named Woman of the Yearfor the National Capital Area.

She looks forward next year to help oth-ers develop their own campaigns next year.

“Over the years, people like us have beenresponsible for funding medical advancesthat have doubled, tripled and even qua-drupled the survival rates of many types ofcancer,” she said. “There’s no reason to stopuntil we find a cure,” she said.

For more information visitwww.letsknockitout.com/

Raising more than a quarter of a million dollarsfor cancer research with 17 local events.Woman of the Year

Photo Contributed

Here, Katie Simmons Hickey is crowned “Woman of the Year.” The 22candidates for Man and Woman of the Year raised $1.81 million, a newrecord for the National Capital Area Chapter.

Photo by Ken Moore/The Connection

Langley High School alumna Katie Simmons Hickey raised more than$277,000 for blood cancer research, and was named the 2015 Woman ofthe Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s National Chapter.

Meeting Noah Ramirez and Hope Veazey, the 2015 Boy and Girl of theYear, solidified Katie Simmons Hickey’s commitment to raise as muchmoney as she could during the Woman of the Year campaign this spring.

“The public awareness we spread and thenumber of people I met whose lives have beenaffected by cancer, including our Boy and Girl ofthe Year, was both overwhelming and inspiring.”

— Katie Simmons Hickey

McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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20152015Faith Notes are for announcements and

events in the faith community. Send tovienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Dead-line is Friday.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church,2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, is hold-ing Sunday evening worship service in aless formal atmosphere and more intimatesetting to help you get ready for the weekahead. Sundays, 6 p.m. Communion of-fered. No childcare. 703-938-2119 orwww.elcvienna.org.

St. Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, of-fers musical, educational, outreach andfellowship ministries in addition to wor-ship services, including a 7:45 a.m.worship service without music; 9 a.m.worship service, children’s chapel andchildren’s choirs; 10 a.m. Sunday schooland adult forum; and 11 a.m. worshipservice with adult choir. 703-759-2082.

The Antioch Christian Church of-fers a time of Prayer and Healing onWednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. for any-one wanting encouragement and healingthrough prayers. People are available topray with you or for you. Antioch Chris-tian Church is located at 1860 BeulahRoad in Vienna. www.antiochdoc.org

The Jewish Social ServicesAgency (JSSA) offers a wide variety ofsupport groups for those with emotional,social, and physical challenges.www.jssa.org/growth-learning.

HAVEN of Northern Virginia offersa variety of free bereavement supportgroups, meeting on a weekly basis. 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org.

McLean Bible Church Fitness Class

at Body & Soul Fitness. Gain balance, en-ergy and strength at 9:45 a.m. Mondaysand Fridays. Free childcare for registeredstudents. bodyandsoul@mcleanbible.org.

St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church,1830 Kirby Road in McLean, holds a thirdSunday service every month at 10:15 a.m.which allows children to play active rolesin the music and as greeters and ushers.Traditional services are every Sunday at8:15 and 10:15 a.m.

Vienna Christian Healing Roomsare open, every Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200Bell Lane. A team of Christians is availableto anyone requesting prayer. Free and opento the public. 703-698-9779 orwww.viennachristianhealingrooms.com.

Chesterbrook United MethodistChurch is at 1711 Kirby Road, McLean.Worship service is at 11 a.m. Sundayschool is at 9:30 a.m. for adults and chil-dren. 703-356-7100 orwww.ChesterbrookUMC.org.

Centering Prayer Group meets Fri-days, 9:30 a.m. at Andrew Chapel UnitedMethodist Church, 1301 Trap Road,Vienna. The hour includes a brief readingrelated to Centering Prayer, followed bya 20-minute prayer period. E-mail MarthaThomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.comor call the church at 703-759-3509.

Unitarian Universalist Congrega-tion of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton, offers the Religious Exploration(RE) program for all children, from pre-K toddlers through high school seniors,emphasizing exploration of all religioustraditions while developing a personalspiritual path. The RE program offersclasses on Saturday afternoons and Sun-day mornings. 703-281-4230.

Faith For a free digital subscription toone or all of the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

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6 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

The first day of school each year isfraught with anticipation and anxiety. Many local students will beconcerned about what they wear,

who they will see, what it will be like. They’vealready had multiple shopping trips, online andotherwise, to be sure they have the suppliesand extras they need.

We live in an area where many if not mostfamilies have the means and desire to do al-most whatever it takes to give theirchildren the best chances for success.

But for thousands of students, fami-lies lack the financial resources to equipthem for success on the first day of school andbeyond.

In our affluent area, there are many poorfamilies.

In Fairfax County Public Schools, more than27 percent of more than 184,000 students arepoor enough to qualify for subsidized meals.That’s more than 50,000 children in FairfaxCounty who are going through the summerwithout their usual access to breakfast andlunch. For many of those children, having afully equipped backpack on the first day ofschool is out of reach.

In the City of Alexandria, about 60 percentof the Alexandria Public Schools students arepoor enough to qualify for subsidized meals.That’s more than 8,000 of the city’s 13,000-plus students.

In Arlington, more than 32 percent of thecounty’s 23,000-plus students are poor enoughto receive subsidized meals; more than 7,000students.

Help these students get started on the rightfoot by contributing to one of the many localbackpack drives.

Virginia sales tax holiday for school suppliesand clothing is Aug. 7-9. Purchases of certainschool supplies, clothing and footwear are ex-

empt from the Virginia sales tax. Each eligibleschool supply item must be priced at $20 orless, and each eligible article of clothing andfootwear must be priced at $100 or less. Seehttp://www.tax.virginia.gov/content/school-supplies-and-clothing-holiday.

This is a good place to start, but these stu-dents need more than backpacks. In this area,we need to address the impacts of income in-equality in the schools. If we succeed in effec-

tively educating these students, thesavings overall will be enormous. Thesestudents need protection from budgetcuts in their classrooms. They need

help addressing inequality in the face of “bringyour own device policies,” and other technol-ogy needs.

Here are a few ways to give:❖ Fairfax County Collect for Kids is a

public private partnership that provides localchildren from economically challenged fami-lies with the school supplies they need to be-gin the school year, and has provided 90,000supply kits and backpacks in its first threeyears. They seek donations of cash, backpacksdonated by citizens and calculators donatedby businesses. Contact Jay Garant in FairfaxCounty Public Schools Office of Business andCommunity Partnerships at 571-423-1225jay.garant@fcps.edu or Sherry NoudSMNoud@fcps.edu 571-423-4300, FairfaxCounty Public Schools Office of Social WorkServices.

http://collectforkids.org/resources/❖ Cornerstones in Reston needs 3,000

backpacks. Each year, Cornerstones and itspartner, Kids R First, equip thousands of K-12children in the Reston-Herndon area (Corner-stones’ clients, as well as other local studentswho receive free or reduced cost school meals)with brand-new backpacks. You can buy back-packs online and have them delivered to Cor-

nerstones. Or deliver the backpacks to Corner-stones Administrative Office at 11150 SunsetHills Road, Suite 210, Reston; Aug. 10-14(Monday - Friday); 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ContactAlacia Earley, Volunteer and Drives Manager,571-323-9568.

http://www.cornerstonesva.org/donations/drives/back-to-school/

❖ United Community Ministries annualBack to School campaign is underway, and theyrely on your support to meet the needs of stu-dents from low-income families in the MountVernon community. They especially needlarger-sized backpacks for middle and highschool students, and seek cash contributionsto buy supplies. http://www.ucmagency.org/back-to-school-2015.html

❖ OUR DAILY BREAD Collect for Kids Backto School program runs each summer in part-nership with with Collect for Kids in a county-wide effort to ensure that the neediest chil-dren in our community receive the suppliesthey need to succeed in school. The programis made possible through a partnership withKids R First, Fairfax County Public Schools, theFairfax County Office of Public and PrivatePartnerships, Apple Federal Credit Union andnumerous community-based organizations andbusinesses in the Fairfax County area who areworking together to provide supplies in a morecost-effective and efficient way. Contact DawnSykes at 703-273-8829.

❖ Arlington Partnership for Afford-able Housing APAH is collecting backpacksand supplies for more than 400 children amongthe 1,200-plus households a year served byAPAH, providing low income families with af-fordable housing. Purchase items on their list.Donations can be dropped off at the APAH of-fice: 2704 N. Pershing Drive in Arlington. Ques-tions? Contact Emily Button, Resident ServicesManager, at 703-851-3635 orebutton@apah.org. https://www.roonga.com/apahschoolsupplydrive/

— Mary Kimm,

mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com

Thousands of students will begin school this fall ata disadvantage; help now so they have the basics.

Backpacks for All

Editorial

Virginians HavePaid for Medic-aid ExpansionTo the Editor:

The concern expressed in theletter regarding Medicaid Expan-sion in Virginia (How to Pay forMedicaid Expansion?, Connection,June 24-30) focused on the ques-tion of “how to pay for it” and thatthose favoring expansion “do notdiscuss cost specifics.”

The writer would have readersbelieve that we in Virginia havenot already paid for Medicaid ex-pansion with our tax dollars, Vir-ginia tax dollars that are now go-ing to other states, states that have

expanded Medicaid; and some ofthose states are led by Republicangovernors that have favored Med-icaid expansion because they sawit as a good deal financially as wellas a reasonable way of makinghealthcare accessible to so manyof their working poor — 400,000in Virginia would benefit from theexpansion.

With respect to the writer’s fis-cal concerns, that issue has beenaddressed multiple times by TheCenter on Budget and Policy Pri-orities and The CommonwealthInstitute. The conclusion, which isdocumented by the numbers citedin the various reports, is this:“Medicaid Expansion is ProducingLarge Gains in Health Care andSaving States Money.”

The letter-writer’s fiscal con-cerns have already been essen-tially addressed, but opponentshave apparently already made uptheir minds and have manifestedlittle interest in the documentationprovided. This documentation hasbeen cited numerous times, and itis not reasonable to assume thatDelegate Ken Plum, a delegate re-elected multiple times that takesseriously his fiduciary responsibili-ties, and other legislators in soli-darity with him have not lookedat the numbers before advocatingfor the expansion of Medicaid

Dr. Paul Krugman, an economicsprofessor at Princeton and the win-ner of the Nobel Prize for Econom-ics in 2008, recently asked this ques-tion: “But why would any state

Letters to the Editor

choose to exercise that option (notexpand Medicaid)? After all, stateswere being offered a federally-funded program (a program alreadypaid for by taxpayers) that wouldprovide major benefits to millionsof their citizens, pour billions intotheir economies, and help supporttheir health-care providers. Whowould turn down such an offer?”

It is the same question many ofus in Virginia have been askingand have not received any satisfy-ing answers from the Republicanlegislators that dominate the Vir-ginia House and Senate.

John Horejsi (and SALT’s1200 advocates)

SALT CoordinatorVienna

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McLean

McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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The Act inSheep’s ClothingTo the Editor:

A few weeks ago the Housepassed HR 2042, the RatepayerProtection Act. Sounds great, right?Wrong. The Ratepayer ProtectionAct is a wolf in sheep’s clothing andattacks EPA’s ability to curb climatechange. Specifically, the Act goesafter the Clean Power Plan, set tobe finalized this summer, whichwould require states submit carbonreduction plans to the EPA. Carbonpollution is a serious health threatto all Americans, but especially tothose with chronic lung disease like

asthma. Carbon emissions fuel cli-mate change, and as temperaturesrise so does the risk of experienc-ing unsafe levels of ozone pollutionin the air we breathe. Ozone killsand as someone who has hadasthma since childhood I am con-cerned for the nearly 24,000 chil-dren with asthma who live in thecounty.

Exposure to unhealthy levels ofozone is linked to worsenedasthma, increased risk of hospital-ization and even premature death.Have you ever seen a child havean asthma attack? Have you everbeen forced to watch as their lipstinge blue and panic sets in as theyfight to get in a full breath of air

but can’t? It’s something I’ve ex-perienced firsthand; no childshould have to suffer in that way.

That’s why I’m disappointed thatRepresentative Barbara Comstockvoted in support of the RatepayerProtection Act. Fairfax County re-ceived an F for ozone pollutionaccording to the American LungAssociation’s 2015 State of the AirReport. Is the Representative okaywith that? Her vote sure impliesas much.

Jennifer KauferThe American Lung Associa-

tion in VirginiaFairfax

Letters

To have community events listed in theConnection, send to north@connectionnewspapers.com. The deadlinefor submissions is the Friday prior to pub-lication.

THURSDAY/JULY 16Model Investment Club NOVA

Meeting at Tysons-PimmitLibrary. 7-9 p.m. 7584 LeesburgPike. Individual investors meet tolearn and become more successful.This nonprofit Better Investing Clubfocus on finding quality companies,determining fair price, and managinga portfolio. Free.

FRIDAY/JULY 17English Conversation Group. 10 -

11:30 a.m. Patrick Henry Library,101 Maple Avenue East, Vienna.Practice your English conversationskills in a group. Adults. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ph/.

MONDAY/JULY 20Effective English. 1- 2:30 p.m. Dolley

Madison Library, 1244 Oak RidgeAvenue, McLean. Get expert helpwith speaking and conversing,reading and writing, and listeningand comprehending. Adults.

Spanish Chat. 1- 3 p.m. Great FallsLibrary, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Practice Spanish in arelaxed environment with a nativespeaker. All levels welcome. Visithttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/gf/.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 22English Conversation Group. 1 p.m.

Dolley Madison Library, 1244 OakRidge Avenue, McLean. Practiceconversational English in a groupsetting. Adults. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/dm/.

Bulletin Board

8 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Gordon Rogo

The Connection

For Marta Sniezek, ranked one of thetop basketball players in the country,her parents and her siblings are her

motivators in a family where success is ablueprint.

“I credit all my success to my family whohave supported me in everything that Iwanted to pursue,” the McLean resident said.“My father taught me that I could do any-thing my brothers can academically and ath-letically. My sisters and brothers taught metough love.”

Marta has won numerous awards on andoff the court, maintained above a 3.0 GPAat National Cathedral School and also makestime for volunteer work. Most recently shewas named to the Parade All-American Bas-ketball team, which recognizes the top 60male and female players in the country. Pre-vious recipients of this honor includedMichael Jordan, LeBron James and CandaceParker. In the fall she will be attendingStanford University on a basketball scholar-ship.

One person who particularly inspiresMarta is her mother, Edwina Sniezek, whowas diagnosed in 2008 with chronic myel-ogenous leukemia in 2008. She underwentbone marrow transplant in 2013.

“It had a big impact on our family, par-ticularly Marta,” according to Marta’s father,Dr. David Sniezek. “Because of my sched-ule, it has always been Edwina who took herto practices, games, and to tournaments thatrequired travel. Their time together andshared experiences allowed them to developa close relationship, one that endures today.”

Marta dedicated her junior basketball andsoccer seasons to her mother, which culmi-nated in a D.C. Gatorade Basketball Player

of the Year award among other accolades,and an All-Met Honorable Mention awardto go along with a District of Columbia StateAthletic Association state title for NationalCathedral in soccer.

At the same time, she devoted whatevertime she could to be her mother’s primarycaregiver.

“The experience gave Marta a bit of anedge in sports and life because she knew thatshe was going to have a conversation withher mother about everything she did thatday,” her father said.

Going into her senior year Marta had al-ready committed to Stanford for basketball.And she could have easily relaxed: she hadplanned to forgo her senior season of soc-cer to avoid added exposure to injuries.

“I only played soccer for NCS just to bewith my friends. I never intended to playsoccer senior year, but when I found out thatone of the team’s standout players was leav-ing the area then I decided to play,” she said.“I wanted the seniors to win a third DCSAAtitle so I decided to play.”

Marta’s decision to play exemplified whatmany people highlight as some of her best-unknown attributes as a person.

“Marta is a really caring and loving per-son. She values teammates, family, and allthose around her,” said one of her AAUcoaches, Bob Dix. “She is fierce competitoron the court, but also an extremely caringperson.”

Her decision turned out to be a good one,as she helped NCS win a third straight statetitle. Marta was named first team All-Metand the D.C. Gatorade Soccer Player of theYear making her the first female to win theGatorade Player of the Year in two differentsports in D.C. history.

She is also an Academic High School All-American in soccer and basketball, a mem-ber of the National Honor Society, a recipi-ent of the Merit/Leadership IndependentSchool Scholar, and a three-time FairfaxStars “Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award”among other awards.

She also has volunteered for communityservice work, locally on behalf of the HaitiRelief Fund, for the So Others Might Eatorganization, Jill’s House, and as a NationalCathedral School volunteer for the Latinodisabled community.

“I don’t think there is an athlete in theDMV that has the accolades that this youngwoman has on and off the court,” said Dix.“She truly embodies that the phrase studentathlete.”

Looking ahead, Marta looks to keep thesuccess going at Stanford. And she is excitedabout what her future holds, something sheknows can be accomplish with the strengthand inspiration of her mother on her mind.

“My mother instilled self-reliance, hardwork and compassion in me,” she said.

It’s not easy being the second youngestmember of a family of 11.

Marta Sniezek: All-American

Marta Sniezek on the court forNational Cathedral School

Marta Sniezek’s father andmother, David and Edwina,kissing Marta as she isawarded a basketball for her2,000 career point at theNational Cathedral School.

Photos by Brian Kapur

By Natalia Kolenko

The Connection

Every summer, Spring Hill ElementarySchool orchestra director RuthDonahue runs an orchestra summer

camp for children to improve their musicskills.

“I used to teach in Oklahoma. I think thefirst camp I taught was in 1983,” Donahuesaid. “I moved here in 1988 and the kidswere, I shouldn’t say it, but they’re evenbetter than the Oklahoma kids with howquickly they learn. So I said we’ve got to doa summer camp here.”

And so was the beginning of the SummerStrings Camp at St. Thomas EpiscopalChurch in McLean.

Donahue has run the summer camp everyyear since then. The students of the sum-mer camp are usually in third, fourth, fifthand sixth grade Donahue said, and her onlyrequirement is that the students be able toread music. The camp does dress-up daysfor the kids with Messy Monday, WackyWednesday, and Freaky Friday. The childrenalso get the chance to play kickball to get toknow each other, Donahue said.

When asked about their camp experience,the students had nothing but positive thingsto say.

Amin Kaleem, a cello player, said his fa-vorite part of Summer Strings Camp is howhe and the orchestra get to play a concert infront of people.

Sarah Kim said her favorite part of campwas how it lets her improve her violin skills.

Bass player Joseph Mihaon said his favor-ite part of camp was that “it’s really fun andeasy and we get to do a lot of trips.”

Donahue went on to say that she has thestudents sight-read the music pieces everytime, a process of playing a music piece allthe way through without preparation.

“Every Summer Strings [camp] we sight-read… I would say about 40 pieces, so they’vealready sight-read maybe 25 or 30 becausethis is just our third day,” Donahue said.

The camp lasts for seven days each yearwith a concert to wrap up the week. Thisyear, the Summer Strings Camp concert washeld on Wednesday, July 8.

The camp was created, Donahue said, tohelp the students become better musiciansand to help them learn how to become bet-ter sight-readers. “When you see childrenevery day of the week instead of once aweek, which is normally when orchestra di-rectors see them [during the school year],”Donahue said, “they learn so much faster.”

Spring HillElementary Schoolorchestra director’sStrings Campremains McLean’ssummer tradition.

Summer on aHigh Note

Two cello players from the Summer Strings Camp sight-readingmusic. The students are dressed up for Wacky Wednesday, one ofthe dress-up days the camp has.

Spring Hill Elementary School orchestra director Ruth Donahueruns the Summer Strings Camp. She has been running the campssince she moved to the area in 1988.

The violin section of the Summer Strings Camp. Every music piecethe students receive is sight-read. The students will sight-readabout 40 pieces of music over the course of the seven day camp.

The viola, cello, and bass section of the Summer Strings Camp. Thecamp lasts for seven days each year with a concert to wrap up theweek.

Photos by Natalia Kolenko/The Connection

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

What was once a time forcatching fireflies, swim-ming and exploring hasevolved into a period of

elite day camps, academic enrichmentclasses and top-dollar sports clinics.

For many children, summer is packed withso many activities that it can hardly be calleda break, say local educators, reminding par-ents of the benefits of unregulated play.

“Camps and activities are fine in modera-tion because children need structure,” saidAndrew Clarke, Ph.D., an Arlington-basedchild psychologist. “But allowing children tohave free time during the summer is impor-tant for their self-confidence and overallwell-being. … Children can become enrichedsimply by being al-lowed to explore theirown environments.”

NOT ALL CHILDRENare naturally self-di-rected, but parents canprovide minimal struc-ture through whichchildren can gain thebenefits of unstruc-tured free time.

For example, helpchildren develop a listof potential activitiesthat might interestthem. This could assist children who havedifficulty thinking of things to do on theirown or who might be prone to saying “I’mbored” when faced with free time and noplanned activities.

“I recommend giving kids suggestions ofvarious activities and having them choose,said Stacie B. Isenberg, Psy.D., a child psy-chologist based in Bethesda, Md. “Some-times it is helpful to make a list togetherwith them and post it on the refrigerator or

other prominent place.”Isenberg suggests including activities such

as playing board games, reading books, hulahooping, kicking around a ball, blowingbubbles, doing mazes, puzzles or painting.“When it’s time for a new activity, have themcheck out the list,” she said.

It’s especially beneficial if the activitywon’t require constant supervision. “Providesafe spaces for them to play in,” said Joan L.Ehrlich, Ph.D., a coordinator in the Inter-preter Services Office at Northern VirginiaCommunity College. “If you know the spaceis safe, you can give them more leeway toplay on their own, and can pull back on thedirect supervision.”

PARENTS SHOULD ALSO SET bound-aries and standards regarding acceptableand unacceptable activities, she continued.

“When my kids weresmall, we had desig-nated ‘no screen’ time.It was wonderful tohang back and watchthem engage in a boardgame or card game. Youwould be amazed atwhat kids will choose todo when televisions,computers [and otherelectronics] are not anoption. Nothing againstthose devices, but, let’sface it, they can be ad-dictive which makes it

hard to compete with other healthy, educa-tional options.”

“All you need to do to facilitate unstruc-tured downtime is to not over schedule them… and provide an open-ended learning en-vironment,” added Gail Multop, an earlychildhood education professor at NorthernVirginia Community College. She believesthe tools for such play are simple: “Puzzles,books, an art table with supplies and timeoutdoors in nature.”

Experts praise thebenefits of freeplay for children.

UnschedulingSummer Play

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

Art supplies and games that allow for creative play can be an importantpart of unstructured free time.

“Provide safe spacesfor [children] to playin. If you know thespace is safe, you cangive them more leewayto play on their own.”

— Joan L. Ehrlich, Ph.D., North-ern Virginia Community College

10 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

To highlight your Faith Community, call Karen at 703-778-9422

DAILY EUCHARIST:WeekdaysMonday-Friday, 8:30 AMSaturday, 8:30 AM

SUNDAY LITURGY SCHEDULE:Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PMSunday: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM1:30 PM Spanish Liturgy

5312 North 10th Street,Arlington, Virginia 22205Parish Office: 703-528-6276

PARISH WEBSITE:www.stannchurch.org

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See our Website for more sales: www.cravensnursery.com➠

Local Nursery Closing After 42 Years ~ Going Out of Business Sale

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Giftware 50% OFF

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ENTIRE Stock GardenChemicals ON SALE

Bricks & Stones50% OFF

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Send announcements to north@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline isFriday for the following week’s paper.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOING“The Healing Wall.” Tuesdays –

Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., throughAug. 1. Vienna Art Center, 115Pleasant St., NW, Vienna. “TheHealing Wall” is assembled from twodozen puzzle pieces created bysoldiers recovering at the Fort BelvoirCommunity Hospital. Each piecemakes a powerful statement by itselfas well as part of the larger puzzle.

Restful Pause. Wednesday-Saturday,through Aug.1. Katie’s Coffee House,760 Walker Road, Great Falls. RobertGilbert brings his nine, framed still-life paintings to exhibit. The subjectsare wine bottles, wine glasses,ceramic pots, fruits and vegetables.The paintings are realistic in someareas and impressionistic in others.

What’s in Your Garden? Tuesdays -Saturdays, through Aug. 1. ViennaArts Society “Gallery in the VillageGreen,” 513 Maple Ave. W, Vienna.Featured artist Loy McGaughy ofReston exhibits a collection ofwatercolors inspired by her personalphotographs. The exhibition includesmore than a dozen other artists.

Tysons Concerts on the Plaza.Fridays, through Aug. 7. 6-8 p.m. atTysons Corner Center, 1961 ChainBridge Road, Tysons Corner. Sit backand enjoy live music with a specialline up each week.Tickets areavailable on a first-come, first-servebasis beginning at 10 a.m. eachFriday morning in the mall concourseon level 2 next to ZARA.

Summer Reading Program. Friday-Sunday, through Sept. 5. 10 a.m.-5p.m. at Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike Great Falls. Attendsummer events and check out books.All ages. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/gf/.

Great Falls Concerts on the Green.Sundays, through Sept. 6. 6-8 p.m. atGreat Falls Village Centre Green.Come out on Sundays and listen tosome live music. Visit http://www.celebrategreatfalls.org/concerts-on-the-green/.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JULY 17-26“Jesus Christ Superstar.” 8 p.m. The

Alden, 1234 Ingleside Avenue,McLean. “Jesus Christ Superstar” isbased on the accounts in the Gospelsof the final days of Jesus of Nazareth,from his arrival in Jerusalem until hiscrucifixion. A large part of the plotfocuses on the character of JudasIscariot. Tickets: $23-$25. Visitwww.McLeanPlayers.org.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 15Rock-A-Bye Baby. 11:30 a.m. - 12

p.m. Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Avenue East, Vienna. An early

literacy enhancedstorytime, featuringrhymes, stories and songs.Birth-12 months withadult. Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ph/.

Treasured Three to Fives.10:30 - 11:15 a.m. DolleyMadison Library, 1244Oak Ridge Avenue,McLean. An early literacyenhanced storytimefeaturing stories, rhymesand songs. Age 3-5 withadult. Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/dm/.

THURSDAY/ JULY 16Free Wine Tasting. 6-8

p.m. The Vineyard, 1445Laughlin Ave., McLean.Five top rated Brunello diMontalcino from theoutstanding 2010 Vintageavailable to taste. Costs$5. Visitwww.thevineyardva.com.

My First Book Club. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Dolley MadisonLibrary, 1244 Oak RidgeAvenue, McLean. A bookdiscussion group for boysand girls. GradesKindergarten - 2. Registerat http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/dm/.

Knit Club. 6- 8 p.m. Great FallsLibrary, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Kids and teen knittingclub. All levels welcome. Bring yoursupplies. Crochet, knitting and crossstitching techniques. Ages 8-18. Visithttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/gf/.

Mister G. 10:30 a.m. Wolf Trap, 1645Trap Road, Vienna. Sing and danceto bilingual tunes in Spanish andEnglish. Ages 3 and up. Tickets: $10.Visit www.wolftrap.org

Guster. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1645 WolfTrap Road Vienna. Alternative rockand on-stage humor. Tickets: $32-$45. Visit www.wolftrap.org

FRIDAY/JULY 17Pokemon League. 3- 6 p.m. Patrick

Henry Library, 101 Maple AvenueEast, Vienna. Learn and play. Ages 5-18.

Minion Fun. 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble,7851 L. Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Become a certified Minionand attend Villain-Con in stores tohelp search for the most despicablevillain to follow. Activities andgiveaways round out the fun. Spaceis limited. You must be registered toattend. To register call the store at703-506-2937.

SATURDAY/JULY 18SocialBurger Wine Pairing. 1-6 p.m.

The Wine Outlet, 278 Cedar Lane SE,

Vienna. Cost: $7. Visitwww.viennawineoutlet.com

Kayak Mini Float Trip. 11 a.m.Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsStreet, Great Falls. A scenic wagonride from the Visitor Center to thelaunch site at Riverbend Park,followed by a 1.5-mile instructor-ledfloat trip down through riffles andflat water. No previous experiencenecessary. Cost is $38. Forinformation, call 703-759-9018.

Star Wars Saturday. 2 p.m. Barnes &Noble, 7851 L. Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Fans of all ages join us forexclusive products, activities,cosplay, trivia and for a chance towin a Star Wars character standee.

KidSave Event:Nature ScavengerHunt/Duct Tape Creations. 2-4:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ,1683 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Join this child advocacy organization,based in Washington, D.C., for theseorphans chance at being part of aloving family in your area andgetting adopted. Anyone interested inmeeting the children is welcome toattend online orientation anyWednesday in July (8 pm -8:30 p.m.)and come to any event. Free.Visitwww.kidsave.org/summer-miracles-events/ and contact the DevelopmentManager at 202-503-3104

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/JULY 18-19Claude Moore Colonial Farm 1771

Market Fair. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Sitin the shade and savor roast chickenand spicy sausages, enjoy dancingand singing with the fiddler, testyour water color and writing skillswith Mr. Andrews at the Stationer.Visit http://1771.org.

SUNDAY/JULY 19Jennifer Cutting’s OCEAN

Orchestra. 5 p.m. The Alden, 1234Ingleside Avenue, McLean. Musicalcocktail from genre-bendingcomposer/bandleader JenniferCutting. Cutting directs an all-starensemble of the Washington, D.C.area’s favorite Celtic musicians, inmusic ranging from ethereal torockin’.

Manga Mania. 2 p.m. Barnes & Noble,7851 L. Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Discover this popular styleof Japanese comic books and graphicnovels. Enjoy a special offer,activities and giveaways.

MONDAY/JULY 20The Living Rainforest. 2:30- 3:15

p.m. Dolley Madison Library, 1244Oak Ridge Avenue, McLean. Meetanimals from the rain forest.Presented by Leesburg Animal Park.Age 6-12. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/dm/.

TUESDAY/JULY 21Cocktails &Conversation. 5-6:30 p.m.The Ritz-Carlton, TysonsCorner, 1700 Tysons Blvd.,McLean. The CommunityFoundation for NorthernVirginia invites you to aprivate event for substantialsupporters and friends of theCommunity Foundation.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 22Peter Pan Storytime withSpecial Guest Wendy. 11a.m. Barnes & Noble, 7851 L.Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Storytime featuringWendy from J.M. Barrie’sPeter Pan. Wendy will readPeter Pan related stories andhelp the children writespecial letters to Neverland.Come dressed in your favoritePeter Pan costumes.

THURSDAY/JULY 23Starlight Storytime. 7-7:45 p.m. Dolley MadisonLibrary, 1244 Oak RidgeAvenue, McLean. Wear yourfavorite pajamas and join usfor stories and songs. Allages. Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/dm/.

FRIDAY/JULY 24Fangirl Friday. 7 p.m. Barnes &

Noble, 7851 L. Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Fangirls unite and celebratefandom. Get introduced to theWomen of Marvel, enjoy cosplay,giveaways and much more.

SATURDAY/JULY 25Vinyl Day. 2 p.m. Barnes & Noble,

7851 L. Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Explore an assortment ofvinyl records with events celebratingvinyl culture, including giveaways,special offers and exclusives.

KidSave Event: Art Studio. 2-4:30p.m. at The Old Firehouse, 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Join thischild advocacy organization, based inWashington, D.C., for these orphanschance at being part of a lovingfamily in your area and gettingadopted. Anyone interested inmeeting the children is welcome toattend online orientation anyWednesday in July (8 -8:30 p.m.)and come to any event. Free. Visitwww.kidsave.org/summer-miracles-events/

SUNDAY/JULY 26The Lisa Lim Band. 5 p.m. The Alden,

1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Multiple-WAMMIE award winner,Lisa Lim, will rock the park withmasterful songwriting, burning guitarand distinctive vocals—all with ablues/rock edge.

Calendar

“The Healing Wall” is assembled from two dozen puzzle pieces createdby soldiers recovering at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Eachpiece makes a powerful statement by itself as well as part of the largerpuzzle. View the exhibit Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., throughAug. 1 at Vienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St., NW, Vienna.

lostdogandcatrescue.org

lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer

owned or known

AdoptDonate

Volunteer

McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Commuters on the inner loop of theCapital Beltway (I-495) traveled onan additional lane Tuesday morning,July 7, after the Virginia Departmentof Transportation (VDOT) openedthe I-495 shoulder lane, improvingtravel conditions where the north-bound 495 Express Lanes join theregular lanes. The 1.5-mile laneallowed traffic to travel on the leftshoulder of northbound I-495 fromwhere the 495 Express Lanes end tothe George Washington Parkway.This shoulder lane will be open toall traffic from 7-11 a.m. and 2-8p.m. on weekdays. A lane-use man-agement system, with green arrowsand red “X’s,” similar to the lane-control system on I-66, will alerttravelers when the shoulder is open.In addition to the extra lane, severalsafety enhancements have beenimplemented such as upgradedconcrete barriers in the median of I-495, new cameras and electronichighway signs to help with incidentresponse and traveler information,and new pavement. All travelers andbuses will benefit from the newcapacity and improved merge. Therewill be no barrier separation be-tween the shoulder lane and theregular Beltway lanes, ensuring easyaccess for travelers.Construction on the $20 millionproject began in June 2014.

New Lane to Ease Rush Hour Travel on I-495 NorthSend school notes to mclean@

connectionnewspapers.com by Friday.

Dylan Phillips, of Great Falls,graduated with honors from JamesMadison University with a Bachelor ofArts in Computer Information Systems.

Kristen Wolaver, daughter of Johnand Barbara Wolaver of Great Falls, anda 2013 graduate of Langley HighSchool, has been named to the Dean’sList for academic achievement for thespring semester at the University ofPittsburgh. Kristen is a neurosciencemajor with a minor in chemistry at theDietrich School of Arts and Sciences atPitt, where she will begin her junior yearin August 2015.

Brendan Mullen, Langley HS gradclass of 2011, son of Mike and DebbieMullen of Great Falls, graduated MagnaCum Laude, with Distinction from thePennoni Honors College, Drexel Univer-sity in Philadelphia, Pa. Brendan earneda Bachelor of Science degree in Biologi-cal Sciences and will be attendingDrexel College of Medicine in the fall.While at Langley, Brendan played goaliefor the Langley Saxons Ice Hockey teamand at Drexel, played on two inlineteams, one of which won the Philadel-phia College Roller Hockey Leaguechampionship this spring.

George Mahaney-Walter, son ofMary Claire Mahaney and HerbertWalter of McLean, was awarded thedegree of Master of Business Adminis-tration in recent commencementexercises at the Simon School of Busi-ness of the University of Rochester.

Northern Virginia CommunityCollege is preparing to welcome 17incoming Honors Program Scholars forthe start of the 2015-2016 academicyear, which begins Aug. 24. The schol-arship provides $10,000 to be dividedinto fall and spring semesters for twoyears, at $2,500 per semester. It willassist students with the cost of tuitiontoward a NOVA degree. NataliaChavez Choque and BenjaminAtherton, of McLean High School,received this scholarship.

Gabrielle Greco, of Vienna,daughter of Drs. Stephen and JudithGreco, was named to the Dean’s List atthe College of William and Mary for theSpring Semester.

Dylan Maxwell Phillips, ofGreat Falls, has been named to thepresident’s list at James Madison Uni-versity for the spring 2015 semester.Students who earn president’s list hon-ors must carry at least 12 graded credithours and earn a GPA of 3.90 or above.Phillips is a senior whose major is Com-puter Info Systems - BBA.

Victor Zheng, 21, of McLean, isamong five University of Virginia schol-ars who have received Critical LanguageScholarships to assist them in pursuingtheir love of language. They will spendseven to 10 weeks in intensive languageinstitutes this summer in one of 13countries to study languages the U.S.government has deemed “critical.”Zheng will study Chinese in Dalian,China. He is a third-year history andChinese major who is learning Manda-rin Chinese.

“I applied out of a desire to have an-other opportunity to go back to Chinaand be immersed in its environment,” hesaid. “I also just inherently love beingabroad where I believe I learn the bestand the most.” Zheng, who is a memberof U.Va.’s Virginia Glee Club, plans topursue a master’s degree in interna-tional relations.

Graham P. Lobel, the son of Doug

and Betsy Lobel of McLean, received aBachelor of Science degree cum laude,from Haverford College, in Haverford,Pa., at the school’s 177th Commence-ment on Sunday, May 17. Lobelgraduated with High Honors in Chem-istry. At Commencement, Lobel alsoreceived The George Peirce Prize inChemistry, for excellence in under-graduate research. Lobel graduatedfrom the Thomas Jefferson High Schoolfor Science and Technology in 2011.

Chun-Ming “Chris” Chen ofVienna and Maria Vera Alvarez ofSouth Riding have been awardedJack Kent Cooke Foundation Un-dergraduate TransferScholarships. Both students attendNorthern Virginia Community College.

Chen and Vera Alvarez are among 90students nationally to receive the pres-tigious award which provides up to$40,000 a year toward tuition, books,living expenses and required fees for thefinal two to three years needed to earna bachelor’s degree. It is the largest pri-vate scholarship for two-year andcommunity college transfer students inthe country.

From examining the genes in themonkey flower, to exploring the Rev.Martin Luther King’s political, social andtheological beliefs, to epilepsy therapies,to sustainable tourism, 38 Universityof Virginia undergraduates will pur-sue 36 grant-funded research projectsthis summer. Thirty-five of the propos-als received Harrison UndergraduateResearch Awards and another studenthas had his research underwritten bythe Stull family of Dallas. This marks the16th year of the program, which helpsfurther a key component of the U.Va.student experience: hands-on research.

The research awards support studentswho present detailed plans for projectsthat have been endorsed by a facultymentor. In February, a Faculty Senatecommittee selected the winners, whoreceive up to $3,000. Faculty mentorswho oversee the projects receive $1,000.

This year’s Harrison UndergraduateResearch Award winners and their re-search topics include

❖ Pasha Davoudian, 21, ofMcLean, a third-year neurosciencemajor, who is researching the role thethalamus plays in epilepsy therapy.

❖ Daniel Naveed Tavakol, 19, ofVienna, a second-year biomedical en-gineering student, who is researchingangiogenesis, or blood vessel growth, inthe mouse cornea and retina, distin-guishing key factors in support-cellrecruitment and location in vascularnetworks.

Gabrielle Greco, daughter of Drs.Judith and Stephen Greco of Vienna,made the Dean’s List at the College ofWilliam and Mary for the spring semes-ter.

Schools

Photo contributed

Brendan Mullen

12 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

The undefeated Lan-gley Wildthings knewthey would have toswim as hard as they’veswum all season, to staywinners at the end ofthe meet against thePinecrest Piranhas. Sixsweeps, a lot of determi-nation and a bit of sun-shine drove theWildthings to success,with 211-209 win onJuly 11. The victory wasclinched by the end ofthe individual events,and the Wildthingswent on to win five re-lays.

Langley’s team ofNathan Johnson,Nathan Robinson,Duncan Proxmire andJake Holzapfel brokethe Wildthings’ boys’ 15-18 200M medley relay recordwith a time of 1:57.65. The pre-vious record of 1:58.64 has beenin place for 12 years, since 2003.

This week’s swimmers whotook first place in two eventsare: Colin Walter (boys’ 8&U25M freestyle, 25M butterfly);Tessa Jones (girls’ 8&U 25Mfreestyle, 25M butterfly); LukeWatson (boys’ 9-10 50Mfreestyle, 25M butterfly); IsabelSchone (girls’ 11-12 50Mfreestyle, 50M backstroke); andMatthew Buchanan (boys’ 11-12 50M backstroke, 50M butter-fly).

Single blue ribbons wereearned by: Campbell Collins(girls’ 9-10 50M freestyle); JohnDerringer (boys’ 8&U 25M back-stroke); Maddie Santos (girls’8&U 25M backstroke); BradyQuinn (boys’ 9-10 50M back-stroke); Evan Poulos (boys’ 8&U

25M breaststroke); KellyCrittenberger (boys’ 9-10 50Mbreaststroke); Benjamin Scott(boys’ 11-12 50M breaststroke);Audrey Wallach (girls’ 11-1250M breaststroke); and KateWalter (girls’ 11-12 50M butter-fly).

The five blue ribbon relayteams were: boys’ 8&U 100Mfreestyle (Beckett Collins, Wil-son Buttz, Noah Golesorkhi,Colin Walter); girls’ 8&U 100 Mfreestyle (Margit Crittenberger,Marina Watson, Katie Alms,Tessa Jones); boys’ 9-10 100Mmedley (Brady Quinn, KellyCrittenberger, Luke Watson,Collin Troy); boys’ 11-12 100Mmedley (Matthew Buchanan,Benjamin Scott, SebastianSilvestro, Nico Carrion); andgirls’ 11-12 100M medley(Isabel Schone, Audrey Wallach,Kate Walter, Liliana Schone).

Langley Club Swims LikeWild(things) to Remain Unde-feated

Photos contributed

(From left) Nate Johnson (17), Jake Holzapfel (17),Duncan Proxmire (16) and Nate Robinson (18) cel-ebrate their new Langley Club record of 1:57.65 inthe Boys 15-18 200 M Medley Relay. The previousrecord of 1:58.64 was set in 2003.

Langley’s 9-10 Boys sweep theIndividual Backstroke Event,with Brady Quinn in first place,Peter Kaldes in second, andTavian Jones in third. This wasone of six sweeps in the meetagainst Pinecrest.

Sports

Elise Koehl was a three-sport athlete atMcLean, but the lacrosse field is where shemade her mark.

Koehl spent four seasons on the High-landers varsity lacrosse team, tallying more than 200goals and 300 points during her high school career.As a senior in 2015, she helped McLean earn its firstregional tournament victory in more than a decade,according to results on laxpower.com, scoring a ca-reer-best 10 goals against West Potomac during an18-10 win in the opening round. She finished theyear with 76 goals and 44 assists, and received first-team all-conference honors for the fourth time in hercareer.

Koehl, who also played field hockey and competedfor the track team, graduated from McLean HighSchool in 2015. She will continue her lacrosse ca-reer at the University of Louisville.

Koehl recently participated in a Q&A via email withThe Connection.

Connection: You’ll be playing lacrosse at Louis-ville next season. What made Louisville the rightchoice for you?

Koehl: I knew Louisville was the right school forme after they asked me to visit. I loved the coaches,fellow recruits, campus, training facilities, sportsteams, dorms and the heart and city of Louisville.It’s incredible how much academic and athletic sup-port I will receive when I am there.

Connection: What position(s) will you play?Koehl: Midfield/attack.Connection: What are you most looking forward

to about going to college?Koehl: I am mostly looking forward to being a

part of the Louisville lacrosse family.Connection: At what age did you start playing

lacrosse?Koehl: Eleven.Connection: When did you realize playing col-

lege lacrosse was an option for you?Koehl: I started getting interest from schools and

realized I could actually have the opportunity to playin college.

Connection: What is your favorite memory ofplaying lacrosse at McLean?

Koehl: My favorite memory of playing lacrosse atMcLean was being on the team with my younger sis-ter Julia (a freshman named Conference honorablemention on defense!) my senior year.

Connection: How would you describe theMcLean/Langley rivalry?

Koehl: The McLean/ Langley rivalry is unlike anyother rivalry in the region. The students and facultyall participate in the events and the rivalry existsbeyond the fields.

Connection: Have you ever tried a sport andfound out you were embarrassingly bad at it?

Koehl: I tried out for the gymnastics team my se-nior year and my only skill was that I could do acartwheel.

Connection: Looking back, if you could changeone thing about your high school lacrosse career,what would it be?

Koehl: I wouldn’t change anything about my highschool lacrosse career because it’s helped me get towhere I am today, and I wouldn’t trade that for any-thing.

Connection: You’re sitting around playing aboard game with family/friends. Do you play to havefun or play to win?

Koehl: There have been countless fights and tearsover games of Monopoly and Scrabble in my family.I can’t stand losing!

Connection: What do you like to do when you’renot playing a sport?

Koehl: I like being active every day, whether it’shanging out with my friends, going on hikes, or find-ing good food around the DMV.

Connection: Are you a pro sports fan? Whichteam(s) do you root for?

Koehl: I prefer watching college sports more thanpro sports, but my family and I are Redskins andNationals fans.

Connection: What location is the farthest you’vetraveled from the Washington, D.C metro area?

Koehl: The Dominican Republic.Connection: What’s your favorite food?Koehl: Pizza and chocolate. I can eat it every meal

of every day.Connection: Who is your favorite music artist?

Why?Koehl: I love music. I don’t have one favorite

music artist but my favorite genre is alternative rock.Connection: What is your favorite movie? Why?Koehl: Any movie with Will Ferrell. He’s so funny.

— Jon Roetman

Former Highlanderhates losing, lovespizza, chocolate.

Q&A: McLean Lacrosse StandoutKoehl Headed to Louisville

Connection file photo

McLean graduate Elise Koehl scored morethan 200 goals during her four-year highschool lacrosse career.

McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

There’s nothing like a juicy red to-mato fresh out of the backyardgarden to brighten up a sum-mertime salad or a sandwich. Or

a bittermelon, aronia berries or “paradiseapple,” as persimmons are known in Bul-garia. The multi-cultural population inFairfax County has grown roots in the back-yard vegetable garden.

“In my country, the name is paradiseapple,” said Jiuka, an Alexandria residentfrom Bulgaria, as she held a small, greenpersimmon fruit on a tree in her yard.Jiuka’s yard was full of cucumber plants,eggplant, green peppers, squash, tomatoand okra, as well as aronia berries anddrenka, another Bulgarian favorite. Plant-ing her own fruits and vegetables “is veryimportant, I came from a country where wehad good agriculture,” she said. She doesall the gardening herself. “I learned frommy mom,” Jiuka said.

It’s not just the “backyard” garden forSpringfield resident Henrey Nguyen, wholives in a corner lot that is full of vegetables,herbs and fruit, mostly of an Asian variety.His grandmother “does all the work whenit comes to the garden,” Nguyen said. Thereare Bartlett Pears growing on a few trees inthe yard, with melons, red peppers andbittermelon, an Asian specialty that givessoup its flavor. Bittermelon has anotherunexpected use in the garden, said Nguyen.“We used to have deer, they took a bite ofthe bittermelon and never came back,” hesaid.

Some of Nguyen’s vegetables and herbsgo to local Vietnamese restaurants toowhere they know the owners, he said, likethe Golden Cow, Pho Factory and BangkokNoodle, all in Annandale.

JIUKA AND NGUYEN are not alone in the

backyard garden craze. In fact, there is asurge of gardeners growing their own foodin the last few years, according to the Na-tional Gardening Association, based inWilliston, Vt. In their report, “Garden toTable: A 5-Year Look at Food Gardening inAmerica,” Americans growing their ownfood in home or community gardens wentfrom 36 million households in 2008 to 42million in 2013, an increase of 17 percent.The NGA attributes the increase to federalagencies increasing awareness and educa-tional efforts, and by First Lady MichelleObama’s “Let’s Move,” initiative that fea-tures food grown in the White HouseKitchen Garden.

In Fairfax County, tomatoes are a stapleof local gardens along with peppers, cucum-bers, potatoes, beans, and herbs like mint,oregano and cilantro. Tomato gardening iswhat most of the questions the county Mas-ter Gardeners get, said Adria Bordas, a se-nior extension agent at the Virginia Coop-erative Extension Master Gardenerhelpdesk.

The Fairfax County Master Gardeners

Association, Inc. (FCMGA) is a nonprofitorganization of volunteers who provide re-search-based horticultural information, tips,techniques and advice to home gardenersin the community.

Bordas noted that one of the strong pointsabout vegetable gardening in Fairfax Countyis that gardens “can be a four-season veggiegarden if you work at it with frost protec-tion,” she said in an email.

In Jiuka’s garden, she has the tomatoesand cucumbers, but also a wide variety offruit she likes to eat because by growingher own, she knows what goes into themas far as pesticides and fertilizers. “I try tobe organic,” she said. Bordas noted this asa possible healthier aspect of homegrownvegetables too.

Although Jiuka doesn’t have bittermelonto fend off unwanted guests that nibble onthe fruits and vegetables like Nguyen, sheconstantly battles with the local animalsover the garden, especially the okra. “I haveone rabbit that likes these leaves,” she said.She puts nets over her blackberry and rasp-berry plants, but it’s a constant struggle. “I’m

fighting with birds, they like it a lot,” butadmitted she’s the imposter when it comesto the native birds and mammals.

BESIDES BEING FRESH AND OR-GANIC, some of these exotic fruits andvegetables have health benefits that are notknown to many in this area. Bittermelon,known as bitter gourd to some, has beenknown to be used for gout, cholera, eyeproblems and even hangovers. Aronia ber-ries are used for urinary tract disorders, andanother Bulgarian vegetable, drenka, helpsdigestion.

Highlights from ReportNGA report “Garden to Table: A 5-Year Look

at Food Gardening in America” states:❖ 1 in 3 households are now growing food, highest

levels seen in a decade❖ Americans spent $3.5 billion on food gardening

in 2013, up from $2.5 billion in 2008❖ 76 percent of all households with a food garden

grew vegetables, a 19 percent increase since2008

❖ Households with incomes under $35,000participating in food gardening grew to 11million, up 38 percent since 2008

In Fairfax County, tomatoes are a staple of local gardens along with peppers, cucumbers,potatoes, beans and herbs like mint, oregano and cilantro.

Backyard Vegetable Gardens Feed Multi-Cultural Cuisines

Photos by Mike Salmon/The Connection

Jiuka’s garden in Alexandria. Aronia Berries

Red card in Nguyen’s garden wards off animals. Early stages of a bittermelon.

14 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

ClassifiedClassified

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

“Scant” Know For Sure Anymore

After six years, four months and two weekssince being diagnosed with stage IV, non-smallcell lung cancer (the “terminal” kind), I can saywith certainty that I have no sense of what mynext CT scan, scheduled for July 15th, will indi-cate. Previously (multiple scans over multipleyears), I’ve felt something in my upper chest/lungs where the largest tumors are located andthe subsequent scan showed nothing of conse-quence. On other scan occasions, I’ve felt noth-ing of consequence in my chest and the scanshowed tumor growth, enough to change mymedication. On still other scan occasions, Ihave felt something in my chest (where thetumors are located), and sure enough the CTscan showed some growth. Finally, and con-versely, on still other CT scans, I’ve felt nothingof consequence and there was no tumor activityof concern. As a result of these four contradictory-ish indicators of possible growth/no growth, forthe weeks, then days, leading up to my every-three-month CT scan, I never know what tothink I feel any more than I know what to feel Ithink. Thirty or so scans into my cancer-con-trolled life, I’m still teetering emotionallybefore, during and after the computerizedtomography. And though the actual scan itselftakes less than a minute, the damage is doneand can only be undone after we learn theresults.

Which oddly enough presents another simi-larly juxtaposed problem. In the early years,during our post-scan “scanxiety,” waiting theweek or so until our next face-to-face appoint-ment with my oncologist to learn the results wasunbearable, so usually I would call a day or twolater and get a message to him or my oncologynurse, attempting to speed up a response.Typically, I would hear back sooner rather thanlater. Eventually, e-mail communication becamepart of the process, and after my scan was com-pleted, I started e-mailing my oncologist directly,advising him of my status and asking for results.

Usually, the news was good. Occasionallythe news was not. And though my oncologistwould rather have delivered bad news in per-son, he certainly could appreciate how difficultit was for me/patients to wait, so he continuedto e-mail. One time however, the post-scane-mail he sent us was discouraging and said hewould discuss it further at our next appoint-ment, scheduled as usual within the week.When he saw us in person, he was surprisinglyupbeat and immediately told us/apologized forhaving e-mailed us some incomplete informa-tion concerning my scan, and told us insteadthat the “results were good,” not bad, some-thing about the radiologist comparing the wrongscan (he had me at “results were good”), theexact kind of potential miscommunication wait-ing and discussing results in person eliminates.As a result, we have, with experience gainedover the last few years, begun to be able to waitfor the appointment to discuss the scan and notstress too much in the interim, generally.

Since we stopped e-mailing and requestingscan results, my oncologist oddly enough has,on his own initiative, e-mailed us good news,not e-mailed us bad news and not e-mailed usgood news. This inconsistency has remade thetime leading up to the scan stressful again,because now we don’t know what not hearingfrom the oncologist might mean; heck, it mightmean nothing, it just might just be that he’s onvacation (as was the actual case one time and itwas no one’s responsibility to inform us of any-thing so no one did). Of course, we didn’tknow, so naturally we went negative thinking itwas bad news.

Similar to the CT scan results meaning/notmeaning, this is not exactly two halves making awhole, this is more like eight quarters makingup two different wholes. Unfortunately, easy isthe last thing it has become, when it’s the firstthing it needs to be. Cancer is tough enough onits own. It doesn’t need any help. I’m extremelygrateful to still have a chance. I just wish I hadmore of a choice.

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HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

LEGAL NOTICENotice of Initiation of the Section 106 Process: Public Participa-tion

Sprint proposes a new rooftop telecommunications facility at 5055 S Chesterfield Road, Arlington, Arlington County, VA, 22206. The project entails the installation of panel antennas, RRH units, cable trays and runs a non-penetrating sled and a screen wall. Associated equipment will be placed inside of the screen wall. Members of the public interested in submitting comments on the possible effects of the proposed project on historic properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the Na-tional Register of Historic Places may send their comments to Andrew Smith, RESCOM Environmental Corp., PO Box 361 Petoskey, MI 49770 or call 260-385-6999.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

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The futurecomes one day

at a time.-Dean Acheson

Be a part of our Wellbeing pages, the firstweek of every month.

Delight in our HomeLifeStyle sections,the second week of every month. Peek atthe top real estate sales, glimpse over-the-top remodeling projects, get practicalsuggestions for your home.

Celebrate students, camps, schools, enrich-ment programs, colleges and more in ourA-plus: Education, Learning, Fun pages,the third week of every month.

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Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

Fairfax County’s free Family CaregiverTelephone Support Group meets byphone on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7-8 p.m. to dis-cuss “Keeping Organized as a Caregiver.”Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices and click on CaregiverSupport. Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711.

Fairfax County’s Long Term Care Om-budsman Program needs volunteeradvocates for residents in nursing homesand assisted living facilities. Contact LisaCallahan at 703-324-5861, TTY 711 oremail Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.Also visit the Northern Virginia Long TermCare Ombudsman Programa t w w w. f a i r f a x c o u n t y. g o v / d f s /olderadultservices/ltcombudsman/.

The Wakefield Senior Center inAnnandale needs an experiencedCanasta Player, an Art Instructor andcertified instructors Pilates and BallroomDance. For these and other opportunities,call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

The Herndon Adult Day Health CareCenter needs a Piano Player to play clas-sical or music from the 1960s and before.For these and other opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

The Hollin Hall Senior Center in Al-exandria needs instructors for the follow-ing classes: Basic Guitar, Italian, Pot-tery and Ballroom Dance. For these andother volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

Fairfax County Meals on Wheelsneeds coordinators, co-coordinators,and substitute drivers for routesthroughout the county. For these and othervolunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406,TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.

The Little River Glen Senior Centerin Fairfax needs a Computer Lab As-sistant and a Zumba Gold Instructor.For these and other volunteer opportuni-ties, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

The Kingstowne Center for ActiveAdults in Alexandria needs a CountryWestern Line Dance Instructor, Mo-saic Art or Jewelry Making Instruc-tor, Hula Hoop Class Leader and anAfrican Style Dance Instructor. Forthese and other volunteer opportunities, call703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

Fairfax County needs volunteers to driveolder adults to medical appoint-ments and wellness programs. For theseand other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

Volunteer Opportunities

16 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 15-21, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com