Oakton High Celebrates 50Th Commencement News, Page 3
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HomeLifeStyle Page 7 Jamie Lane, Princi- pal of Oakton High School, presents the Faculty Award to Shannen Prindle at graduation. It recog- nizes a senior who has gone above and beyond, selflessly contributing to the community. Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Oakton High Celebrates Entertainment, Page 10 v 50th Commencement News, Page 3 Opinion, Page 4 Next Theatrical Generation Takes the Stage News, Pages 12 Requested in home 6-14-18 home in Requested Time sensitive material. material. sensitive Time Attention Postmaster: Postmaster: Attention ECR WSS ECR Madison Softball Wins Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, State Title, Again PAID U.S. Postage U.S. Sports, Page 9 STD PRSRT Photo by Susan Silva Photo June 13-19, 2018 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News John Horejsi with Gov. Ralph Northam at the bill signing ceremony. Photo contributed Governor Signs the Bill Against ‘Lunch Shaming’ John Horejsi, Social Action Linking To- first, specially the most vulnerable. In re- gether (SALT) Coordinator, and Delegate cent years, parents and families have be- Patrick Hope were invited and were present come increasingly concerned with “lunch last Monday as Governor Northam signed shaming,” or how schools penalize children into law HB 50, the SALT Anti-School Lunch for their unpaid lunch debt. This spring, the Shaming Bill that passed the House and issue reached the General Assembly of Vir- Senate unanimously. The signing took place ginia, which passed HB 50 that the gover- in the Governor’s Capitol Conference Room nor signed prohibiting school penalization on the Third Floor of the Capitol. SALT ap- of students with lunch debt. The bill also preciates the support of all the advocates requires that notification of lunch debt be and of all the Legislators that put aside party communicated directly to parents or guard- affiliations and put all the kids in Virginia ians, not to the students. 2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ June 13-18, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders News 703-224-3031 or [email protected] From left, Seniors Mary Catherine Pollin, Caitlin Carlton, Jarek Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection Campbell, Tagwa Shammet, Summer Hogan, and Amanda Good are Students of the Oakton High School Class of 2018 gather on the steps joined by teacher Brandon McCulla (center) before Graduation 2018, outside George Mason University EagleBank Arena before their Com- Oakton High School Fiftieth Commencement Exercises held June 8 at mencement Exercises on June 8. George Mason University EagleBank Arena. Oakton Holds 50th Commencement Class of 2018 says goodbye to the burgundy and gold. By Mercia Hobson The Connection akton High School celebrated their graduating Class of O2018 as it has done for the 49 graduating classes before it, with tradition, pride and words of encour- agement. At the George Mason University EagleBank Arena on the morning of Friday, June 8, the Oakton High School Band be- Ishika Jain, 18 of Oakton, helps gan to play “Pomp and Circumstance,” sig- Lindsey Katsaros, 18 of Oak Hill, nifying the start of the school’s Fiftieth Com- make a final gown adjustment mencement Exercises. before the Graduation 2018 Family and friends rose from their sta- Oakton High School Ceremony Graduates Orah Smith, 17 of Jarek Campbell, 18, of Oakton, dium seats to honor the school’s Class of on June 8. Fairfax, and Tagwa Shammet, 17 delivers the Reflections during the 2018 as they entered for their graduation of Fairfax, introduce Jamie S. Graduation 2018 Oakton High ceremony. While family and friends scanned pal of Oakton High School. Lane, Principal of Oakton High School Ceremonies at George the incoming procession searching for their Moving to the podium, Lane announced School at Graduation 2018 Mason University EagleBank Arena. special loved ones now lost in a sea of bur- the recipient of the 2018 Faculty Award, Oakton High School Fiftieth gundy gowns and caps, when they spotted Shannen Kelly Prindle, noting her achieve- Commencement Exercises. you realize a faculty member made a dif- them at last, many happily shouted out the ments as a scholar and a student who self- ference in your life, let them know.” students’ names and waved vigorously. lessly served the community and possessed nity for our generation — for our class of Parker Waters, President of the Class of great character and integrity. 2018 — together, we will make a change.” REACHED FOR COMMENT after the 2018 and Summer Hogan, Student Govern- Jarek Campbell was the Reflections Gabriel Jarred, Executive Officer Class of ceremony, Jamie S. Lane Principal Oakton ment Executive Officer officially opened the Speaker. He told how time does not stand 2018, announced the Class of 2018’s gift, a High School wrote these words and shared graduation ceremony with the welcome still, and change is inevitable. “We can’t new school banner and new microwaves for them in an online interview: “Congratula- address. Waters spoke about how so many control it, stop it, or speed it up.” Speaking student use. tions to each member of the 2018 graduat- people, family, teachers, counselors, and altruistically and describing how the Class Daniel Meier former Interim Principal ing class and their families. I am truly thank- more had prepared the graduating class for of 2018 had matured over the last four served as the guest speaker at the gradua- ful to have the chance to be part of both this day. years, Campbell said, “In March, we became tion ceremony. Counseling the graduating the present and the future at Oakton High “Thank you for dealing with us and help- part of something bigger than ourselves class, Meier challenged them to do some- School. To our graduates, I would encour- ing us get to this point,” Waters said. “Cel- during our School Walkout,” (referencing thing they love; be positive; and care for age you to follow your passion and continue ebrate this important day. Reflect on the the National School Walkout in a call on to others. “The worst feeling is to get up to do to believe in yourselves. You have already memories...Feel proud,” added Hogan. pass stricter gun control laws). Campbell something you hate. … Be positive; you will made a positive difference in our commu- Next, Tagwa Shammet and Orah Smith cautioned not to let change happen, but have struggles … Take care of people; take nity and among your peers. The future is introduced Jamie S. Lane, the new Princi- make it happen. “With so much opportu- care of each other … and [later in life] when an amazing place...” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ June 13-18, 2018 ❖ 3 Opinion Vienna & Oakton Medicaid Expansion Will Save Lives www.ConnectionNewspapers.com An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered “As fewer and fewer people have employer- to homes and businesses. Almost too many benefits to count that will help paid health coverage for themselves, much less Published by their families, elections have consequences that Local Media Connection LLC all Virginians, including economic stimulus. can mean the difference between life and death,” said Jaime Contreras, a vice president 1606 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 he benefits are huge. will be eligible. Hundreds of thousands of at 32BJ SEIU. The Virginia General Assembly, people across the state will gain access. “The budget’s inclusion of a bipartisan com- Free digital edition delivered to finally motivated by the huge Virginia has bypassed about $10 billion by promise plan to drawdown available federal your email box. Go to T connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe change in the House of Delegates not having expanded Medicaid since it was funds to help hundreds of thousands of hard- wrought by energized voters last November, possible. It’s not perfect, but now it is done. working, uninsured Virginians gain health care passed a budget that included expanding Med- “Health care is not a privilege: It is a right,” coverage will promote public health improve- NEWS DEPARTMENT: icaid under the Affordable Care Act. said state Sen. Dick Saslaw, highlighting the ments, job growth, economic vitality, and [email protected] A celebratory press release goes out any time importance. “A lot of us here have had a lot of strengthen our health delivery system,” said 10 or more jobs come to any place in Virginia. breaks in our lives, but there are many others Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Kemal Kurspahic ❖ But estimates are that finally accepting the out there who do not get these breaks. They President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. Editor 703-778-9414 [email protected] available federal money to expand Medicaid work hard, but for one reason or another things “We are especially thrilled that some 7,000 under the Affordable Care Act could stimulate don’t turn out right for them. These people Arlingtonians now will have healthcare cover- Andrea Worker the creation of 30,000 jobs. need our help, and we have done that.” age — this legislative action will improve out- Contributing Writer Just including the expansion in the Editorial Other perspectives on the benefits: comes for their health and welfare, strengthen [email protected] budget made hundreds of millions of “As a mother of an Autistic child, I our workforce, and help our community and Jean Card extra dollars available for other priori- know just how important Medicaid is the Commonwealth,” said Katie Cristol, Arling- Production Editor ties. for many things here in Virginia. Medicaid ton County Board chair. [email protected] It will make all of us who live and work in helps fund not just our schools but also our AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau said Virginia healthier via “herd immunity.” Ensur- Special Education programs here in Virginia,” the bipartisan effort increases access to health ing that our fellow residents have access to said Monica Hutchinson, organizer for New care for 400,000 Virginians, including 95,000 ADVERTISING: For advertising information healthcare, to medications to treat contagious Virginia Majority.