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Several Virginia Tech students with ties to Fairfax have been selected by Virginia Tech's New Students Programs to be counselors at this summer's Hokie Camp. Counselors guide incoming freshmen through three days of activities, group competitions and sessions that teach new students about life at Virginia Tech.

The group includes: T.J. Loeffler of Fairfax, a senior majoring in finance; Alexandra Fogg of Fairfax Station, a sophomore majoring in theatre arts; Jennifer Hicks of Clifton, a senior majoring in finance; Abby Eastman of Fairfax Station, a freshman majoring in university studies; Vicki Fowler of Falls Church, a sophomore majoring in university studies; An Thai of Falls Church, a freshman majoring in biological sciences; Rachel Uhrig of Vienna, a senior majoring in finance; and Camille DaDamio of Vienna, a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering.

Springfield's Steger commissioned in U.S. Army

Eight Fairfax natives were members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2010 and have been commissioned in the U.S. Army.

The group includes: John Steger of Springfield, Jason Oberoi of Fairfax, Daniel Stalcup of Springfield, Varun Tandon of Springfield, Patricia Urick of Falls Church, Peter Laclede of Fairfax, Joseph Sciacca of Fairfax Station, William Mahoney of Burke, Chan-hyuk Kang of Burke, and Clifford Ward of Burke.

During their time at Virginia Tech, cadets choose between a military or civilian track. The civilian track offers leader development and a service-driven lifestyle with no military obligation after graduation. If choosing the military track, students must enroll in one of the four ROTC options: Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force. Cadets who are part of the military track then commission to a branch of military after graduation.

McGlade pitches in for Habitat

Fairfax resident Maria McGlade, a rising sophomore at Providence College, recently spent a week working with Habitat for Humanity as part of the international organization's Collegiate Challenge: Spring Break 2010.

McGlade, who worked on a home project in Portland, Maine, was among nearly 150 Providence College students who volunteered to refurbish homes.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit organization that builds and rehabilitates simple, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter.

Three area students make Azusa Pacific dean's list

Three Fairfax County residents made the academic deans' list at Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles. Students had to maintain 3.5 or better grade-point average. The students were Lisa Damerell of Fairfax (majoring in cinematic arts), Shannon B. Lynch of Oakton (majoring in cinematic arts) and Monica Nutley of Burke (majoring in music).

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia honored

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia was awarded The Blue Diamond Award for Best Non Profit of the Year by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. The award highlights business and civic leadership and is presented to a Greater Washington area non-profit for outstanding contributions to the community.

"It's a privilege to be recognized and even greater honor to serve our families," says Frank Lucician, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia has built more than 70 homes -- single family, townhomes and condominiums -- since its founding in 1990.

Lopez, Lubsen graduate from the University of the Arts

Springfield native Jeffrey Lopez and Oak Hill resident Kelley Lubsen both graduated from the University of the Arts May 20. Lopez earned a Master of Industrial Design degree and Lubsen graduated with a degree in illustration from the University's College of Art and Design at the institution's 132nd commencement. Lopez is a 2003 graduate of West Springfield High School and Lubsen is a 2006 graduate of Westfield High School.

Area trio excels at Elizabethtown College

Three area students attending Elizabethtown (Pa.) College were included on the school's dean's list for the spring semester. To earn this recognition, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.60 or better in 14 or more credit hours, of which at least 12 credits are letter-graded course work.

The students were William Lehman of Annandale, a sophomore majoring in Japanese; Stephen McGonigle of Fairfax, a senior majoring in international business -- finance; and Colby Miller of Oak Hill, a junior majoring in biology.

Area pair selected for White House internship

Reston's Lindsay Barnes and Vienna's Paul Connet have been selected for The White House Internship Program's summer 2010 session. The program's mission is to make the "People's House" accessible to future leaders all around the nation and cultivate and prepare those devoted to public service for future leadership opportunities.

Barnes is a student at Wellesley College and Connet attends Virginia Commonwealth University.

"I applaud and thank these young men and women for answering the call to service," said President Obama in a statement regarding the internship program. "I look forward to working with them, and commend all those who applied for their desire to build a brighter future for our country."

Additional information about the White House Internship Program is available at www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships/.

Villanova commencement ceremony has strong local flavor

Thirteen Fairfax resident were among more than 1,700 students who graduated from Villanova (Pa.) University on May 16.

The list includes: Sierra Avil of Great Falls, Anne Berlow of Vienna, Lee Betancourt of McLean, Patricia Buckley of McLean, Lijuan Chu of Fairfax, Jason Colenda of Fairfax, Catharine Comstock of McLean, Raul Garcia of McLean, Andrea Loulakis of Great Falls, Kathryn Moran of Fairfax, Samantha Moskal of Chantilly, Scott Reynolds of Herndon and Anika Sellier of Great Falls.

Chantilly's Kelly Cecil now among the long gray line

Kelly Cecil of Chantilly was among the 1002 graduates that were commissioned second lieutenants last month at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.  Kelly, one of 135 women graduating from West Point, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. 

 Kelly graduated from Chantilly High School in 2005 before attending Marion Military Institute in Alabama and then West Point.  This year, President Obama spoke to the graduating class extolling the virtues of military service during wartime in Iraq and Afghanistan. After the graduation ceremony, retired Army Major Carl Cecil, her father, commissioned Kelly into the Army Transportation Corps.  Kelly will be stationed with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky. She will be the third generation of Cecil family to serve their first assignment at Ft. Campbell along with her father and grandfather, John Cecil. 

Fairfax natives make grade in Mississippi

Seven University of Mississippi students with connections to Fairfax made the school's dean's list for the spring semester. A grade-point average over 3.5 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours for listing.

The list includes: Abigail Wolk Grenadier of Alexandria, Meredith White Holman of Annandale, Emma C. Holman of Annandale, Meghann Eileen Beamer of Annandale, Theresa Moriarty of Fairfax Station, Matthew John Astorino of Fairfax Station, and Sarah Elizabeth Connelly of Springfield.