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Joshua P. Bates, son of Stephen H. and Cielito Maria Bates of Great Falls, has received an Army ROTC four-year college scholarship to attend Virginia Military Institute. Bates graduated from Langley High School in 2009.

The four-year scholarships are awarded through a highly competitive national selection process, and pay up to $16,000 a year for tuition and education fees, a $600 book allowance and a tax-free monthly subsistence allowance for up to 10 months during the effective scholarship period. ROTC scholarship graduates incur an eight-year military service obligation in the Army, which can be served either on active duty or in the Reserve Components.

Army Reserve Pfc. Marylenny S. Iglesias has graduated from the Automated Logistical Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School at Fort Lee in Petersburg. Iglesias is the daughter of Reyna Y. Almendarez of Alexandria and a 2006 graduate of Annandale High School.

Navy Ensign Kathryn R. Barbante, daughter of Felimon Barbante and Barbara A. Burfeind of Fairfax; Army 2nd Lt. Priscilla K. Cha, daughter of Young Joon Cha and Jung Ae Cha of Alexandria; Army 2nd Lt. Michael P. Hawkinson, son of Brian P. and Deborah A. Hawkinson of Alexandria; and Air Force 2nd Lt. Courtney N. Hintz, daughter of Roger M. and Nancy K. Hintz of Great Falls, have entered into the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., as first-year medical students in a four-year program.

Barbante graduated in 2005 from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and in 2009 from the University of Virginia. Cha graduated in 2001 from J.E.B. Stuart High School and in 2005 from the College of William and Mary. Hawkinson graduated in 2004 from West Potomac High School and in 2008 from University of Virginia. Hintz graduated in 2005 from Langley High School and in 2009 from the University of Virginia.

The tuition-free university, established by Congress under the Defense Department, is recognized as a worldwide center of excellence for military medical education and research. In addition to the four years of free tuition, students receive free books, equipment and instruments.

Coplen honored for safety measures

The American Evaluation Association has honored Michael Coplen of Reston, a U.S. Department of Transportation employee, with its 2009 Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Government Award. Coplen's work has led to railway safety initiatives that have resulted in fewer derailments and injuries, as well as new federal safety legislation.

Coplen, a Senior Human Factors program manager in the Office of Research and Development with the DOT's Federal Railroad Administration, began his career some 30 years ago, first as a brakeman and then as a locomotive engineer. He saw firsthand the hazards that come with the job and watched fatigued co-workers die in fatal crashes. When his own lack of sleep resulted in a near-collision, he began tracking his sleep-wake schedule, which became the impetus for his subsequent career change.

Coplen has dedicated the last 20 years to serving as a bridge for change. Through his efforts to spearhead safety initiatives, his pilot projects in the rail industry have led to significant reductions in at-risk behaviors and locomotive engineer de-certifications, and improvements in rule violations and personal safety awareness.

Coplen holds an M.A. in management and organizational behavior from the University of Nebraska, and has completed extensive post-master's coursework toward a Ph.D. in human factors at the University of Connecticut. He is chair of the U.S. DOT Human Factors Coordinating Committee, which recently hosted the 2009 International Conference on Fatigue Management in Transportation Operations.

Phi Theta Kappa welcomes new members

The Alpha Iota Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently held its fall induction at the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. The following students were inducted:

Leana N. Ahmad, Ellen E. Miller Black, Daniel Eberhardt, Izis M. Gantois, Min Jung Kim, Jonathan E. McCarthy and David M. Patton, all of Centreville; Brian C. Geschke of Chantilly; Anthony L. Soriano of Fairfax; Sparkle L. Williams of Herndon; and Quy Vo of Springfield.

To be eligible for membership, a student must complete a minimum of 12 hours of associate degree course work, earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and maintain a high academic standing throughout enrollment. A reception for the new members and their families was held after the ceremony.

Fairfax photographer wins Scenic Virginia competition

Brady Trotter II of Fairfax won first place in the Urban Landscapes Category for his photograph, "Fourth of July, Norfolk," in the Scenic Viewshed Photo Competition sponsored by Scenic Virginia. Scenic Virginia is a nonprofit conservation group that works to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic beauty of the state.

While on a family sailing trip to Norfolk, Trotter was poised on a pier for the fireworks display. "The fireworks were shot off of two different barges simultaneously on the Elizabeth River," he said, "lending to a spectacular show."

"Scenic Virginia conceived the Scenic Viewshed Photo Competition to celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2008 and to create statewide awareness of the stunning views and vistas that exist throughout the Commonwealth," said president Jane Sales Henley. "We are thrilled with the response that we received."

Judges for the competition were Ben Greenburg, landscape photographer from Charlottesville; Lucile S. Miller, artist/photographer and former Scenic Virginia board member; and Hullihen Williams Moore, landscape photographer, author and former head of the State Corporation Commission.

The winning photographs will be displayed at the General Assembly Building during the 2010 Session.

Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce honors Leftwich

Claire Leftwich, career center specialist at Centreville High School, was recently honored by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce as Education Council Member of the Year for 2009. Leftwich was recognized for her work as chairwoman of the College Access Fairfax and Dulles Regional Chamber's Super Saturday program, which was Fairfax County's largest and most successful in terms of parents and students attending and Free Applications for Federal Student Aid completed.

Davis receives Eisenhower Institute Fellowship

Jennifer Davis of Fairfax, a senior at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, is an Eisenhower Fellow for the academic year of 2009-2010. The Eisenhower Institute Undergraduate Fellows program offers a select group of Gettysburg College students the chance to develop their leadership skills and grow in their knowledge and understanding of public policy.

Fellows serve on the Eisenhower Institute's College Advisory Council, act as liaisons for assigned Institute events at both locations, and serve as hosts for campus visitors. Students engage in the planning and promotion of specific programs and projects. They are responsible for selecting, developing and promoting a public policy theme with programming in Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg.

Robinson named to prefect board

Burgess Robinson III has been selected to assume one of the highest leadership positions at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest. Burgess, a senior and son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred B. Robinson Jr. of McLean, is a member of the prefect board, which is responsible for administering the student-run honor system, one of Woodberry's most important traditions.

In addition to introducing new students to the honor system, Burgess serves as a mentor to younger students and assists with dormitory supervision at the independent boarding school for boys in ninth to 12th grade.

Two named to ONO dean's list

Virginia H. Harrod, daughter of William and Janis Harrod of Fairfax, and Amanda C. McDavid, daughter of Harry and Leslie McDavid of Burke, have been named to the Ohio Northern University deans' list for the fall quarter 2009-2010. Harrod is a senior majoring in music education and music performance, and McDavid is a fourth-year pharmacy major.