HomeLifeStyle Page, 6 With caps in hand, Oakton High School Class of 2019 graduation candidates walk toward the entrance of George Mason University EagleBank Arena for their commencement exercises. Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Entertainment, Page 8 v Opinion, Page 4 Goodbye Alma Mater News, Page 3 Pride of Herndon Honors D-Day in Normandy News, Page 7 6-13-19 home in Requested Time sensitive material. material. sensitive Time Attention Postmaster: Postmaster: Attention ECR WSS ECR Brains Cannot Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, PAID Be Replaced Postage U.S. News, Page 5 STD PRSRT Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection by Mercia Hobson/The Photo June 12-18, 2019 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News Photos By Tom Manning/The Connection By Tom Photos Yena Han, 5, from Fairfax loves jumping high on the Spiderman ride. Celebrating Fairfax airfax County Government Center tivities for the whole family including car- Fhosted the 38th annual Celebrate nival rides and games, local vendors, and Fairfax festival from June 7-9. The performances from rock bands Better Than event was filled with a wide range of ac- Ezra and Smash Mouth. Arthur Yang, 7, and his sister Mali, 7, from Vienna shows off her Arlene, 5, of Fairfax smile between face paint. rides on Sunday afternoon. Cousins Joy Mtila, 4, and Kas Kachale Banda, 5, from Fairfax, have fun riding the Frog Hopper up and down. 2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ June 12-18, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Viewpoints Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection Oakton High Graduates: What I Learned in High School Oakton High School Princi- Gabriella Shapo prepares pal Jamie S. Lane prepares Guest Speaker Sandy to deliver the Student to confirm that the Seniors Reynolds said the world Address to the Oakton High of the Class of 2019 whose needs strong young adults School Class of 2019 at names were given to her who own up when they Commencement Exercises are graduates of Oakton mess up. held June 6. High School. Michelle Liang of Fairfax, Joshua Myers of Herndon, 17, heading to Penn State 18, heading to Gettysburg University: “My advice is College: “To my parents, from experience, spend I’d like to thank you for Goodbye Alma Mater more time with friends getting me through this and family,” chapter of my life and yond reach. I am honored to present the 2019 Fac- supporting me.” Oakton High School holds ulty Award to Carolyn Qu.” Kelsey Brooks introduced guest speaker, Sandy Fifty-first Commencement Reynolds, a longtime member of the Fairfax County Public Schools and Oakton High School community Exercises. who, Brooks described, worked “tirelessly through her career to create and grow a culture of equality.” By Mercia Hobson In her remarks, Reynolds said, “My ultimate goal was The Connection to make Oakton High School the best in the county with the happiest and most productive students. or the Oakton High School community, June Happy kids; happy classroom.” 6 proved to be a special day. Surrounded Graduate candidate Gabriella Shapo provided the Fby family, friends, teachers, administrators student address. In it, she spoke about the over- and distinguished guests at the school’s whelming pride the Class of 2019 will have 20 years Fifty-first Commencement Exercises, a reported 670 from now, when “we see the people from our high Jacob Staley of Fairfax, young adults sat in their burgundy caps and gowns school, leaving a real, and lasting legacy.” Shapo cau- 18, heading to Virginia Abel Berrocal, heading to at George Mason University EagleBank Arena ready tioned her classmates not to focus their energy on Commonwealth Univer- Northern Virginia Commu- to begin their next great adventure. “making an impact, let’s consider how we’re making sity: “Describing high nity College: “Advice to Before the Commencement Exercises started (it).” Shapo told the story of a man who tried to school in two words, an freshmen, use deodorant; though, graduate candidate Gabriella Shapo — cho- change the world and he couldn’t, so he decided to experience.” you smell a lot at 14.” sen to present the Student Address during the cer- change his country, then his community and finally emony — shared what she considered the most im- his family, failing miserably at all. Instead, Shapo told portant lesson she learned at Oakton High School the Class of 2019 that the man changed himself. He and the theme of her Address: “Individual responsi- dedicated much of his time to personal development, bility for the collective good,” Shapo said. to be kinder, to give for the sake of giving, to learn Before remarks by guest speaker, Sandy Reynolds, about the world around him and to laugh. She said graduate candidate David Park stepped to the po- that the man’s family saw the difference and mod- dium and recognized two faculty members retiring eled his actions, as did individuals in the commu- at the end of the school year, David Foley and Fred nity, his country and the world. “Our collective ripple Priester. “We appreciate you and wish you all the effect of friends, family, and Class of 2019 is nearly best,” he said. infinite. With that kind of power, it’ll take a lot less Next, Devin Martin announced that the Class of than 20 years to see how we changed the world,” 2019 began a new tradition at Oakton High School, Shapo said. the Class Teacher Award. Martin explained that Oakton High School Singers presented the Senior graduating class nominated one teacher who it be- Tribute to the graduating class and all who supported Seungbin Lee, 18, head- Ye Joon “David” Park of lieved made the most significant impact on them over them on their journey. Tiffany Powell directed the ing to Virginia Common- Herndon, 19, heading to the last four years. Before announcing the name, Singers with Ester Rivera performing a solo. wealth University: “The University of Southern Martin read some of the many comments students Afterward, Jennifer Hogan, Director of Student Ser- greatest experience that California: “Great stu- submitted: “I have never met a teacher who wants vices, thanked all for joining to honor the Oakton High made me think was, dents and teachers, to teach and see her students succeed as much as School Class of 2019 and addressed Principal Lane learning about ‘The reject conventionality.” she does. … She’s a teacher you can come to for any- for the words all awaited. “I certify that the members Allegory of the Cave’.” thing, and she will be completely honest. … Simply of the Senior Class of 2019 have met the requirements put, she’s the best.” The winner of the Class of 2019 established by the Commonwealth of Virginia and Teacher Award went to Kelly Butterfield. Fairfax County School Board. I declare them eligible for graduation from Oakton High School.” Hyeonseung “Thomas” PRINCIPAL Jamie S. Lane announced the recipient Bae of Oakton, 19, head- of the highest and most prestigious award bestowed ONE BY ONE, the Class of 2019 lined up, and Lane ing to University of upon a graduating senior, the 2019 Faculty Award presented diplomas to the 670 candidates. After the Illinois: “The funniest given to a student who selflessly and generously con- final candidate received her diploma Lane asked the thing was I made it tributed to the Oakton High School community Oakton High School Class of 2019 to stand. She an- through high school. It throughout his or her tenure. Lane said, “She has nounced, “By virtue of the authority vested in me as was really hard.” grown from a shy, nervous freshman into an inde- principal of Oakton High School...I hereby confirm pendent, thoughtful graduate... positive and uplift- that the Seniors of the Class of 2019, whose names Photod by Mercia Hobson/ ing to her classmates and teammates and pushes have been presented to me are now graduates of The Connection herself and others to achieve that which seems be- Oakton High School. Congratulations.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ June 12-18, 2019 ❖ 3 Opinion Oak Hill & Herndon www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Constitutional Amendment to @HerndonConnect An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered End Gerrymandering—Not Quite to homes and businesses. Published by By John Lovaas legislators and 8 citizens (the first ping incumbent protection will be tougher to Local Media Connection LLC Reston Impact Producer/Host citizen involvement ever). Citi- achieve.The citizen commissioners will be at a 1606 King Street zens will be bipartisan, with their disadvantage. Lacking technical support and Alexandria, Virginia 22314 irginia is on the verge final selection made by a panel of time for meaningful deliberation may weaken of reforming its legisla- 5 retired circuit court judges from their potential for fair drawing of districts. The Free digital edition delivered to tive redistricting pro- a large pool put forth by the leg- citizen members will be on a tight time sched- your email box. Go to V connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe cess (for VA Senate, islature. To pass any new district ule to hold public hearings around the state House of Delegates and US House maps, a supermajority of 6 legis- and draw maps for 140 General Assembly dis- of Representatives) following the lators and 6 citizens is required. tricts and 11 congressional districts. This could NEWS DEPARTMENT: national census every ten The Supreme Court of VA. result in citizen commissioners ending up vot- [email protected] years. The antiquated process will decide if they cannot ing on districts as proposed to them by the leg- encourages rampant gerry- Independent Progressive agree.