and Oakton James Madison senior Kira Vienna Osborn addresses the Class of 2011 at the James Madison graduation ceremony Friday at Robinson Secondary School. insideinside Classifieds, Page 13 Classifieds, ❖ Sports, Page 12 WarhawksWarhawks ❖ WalkWalk OnOn Entertainment, Page 10 ❖ GraduationGraduation DayDay A+,A+, PagePage 88 Opinion 6 CougarsCougars MoveMove OnOn News,News, PagePage 33 MemoMemo forfor PERMIT #86 PERMIT Martinsburg, WV Martinsburg, SuccessSuccess PAID News, Page 11 Postage U.S. News, Page 11 STD PRSRT Photo by Alex McVeigh/The Connection by Alex McVeigh/The Photo www.ConnectionNewspapers.comJune 22-28, 2011 online atVienna/Oakton www.connectionnewspapers.com Connection ❖ June 22-28, 2011 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ June 22-28, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic 703-778-9414 or [email protected] News by Photo Photos by Robbie Hammer/The Connection Robbie Hammer /The Connection The Oakton High School 43rd Commencement Exer- cise was held at the George Mason University Patriot Center on Monday, June 20 with over 550 students graduating from the 2011 class. Viewpoints Oakton High graduates discuss Catherine Mahoney, President of the Oakton High School Senior Class of 2011, where they are gives the welcome address during the Sung Whan Choi acknowledges family school’s 2011 Commencement Exercise at members while marching in his high going from here and the Patriot Center in Fairfax on Monday, school graduation ceremony on Monday June 20. morning at the Patriot Center. where do they want to be in ten years? Cougars Encouraged — Julie Inglis Wendy Xue “I’ll be going to Virginia Tech and studying business. [In ten years, I want to be] probably on Wall Street, [an] to ‘Dream Big’ accounting firm.” Oakton High celebrates graduation 2011. ast Monday George Ma son University’s Patriot LCenter was filled with the 2011 Cougars from Oakton High School. More than 550 Oakton graduates received their diplomas to enthusiastic ap- plause. Andrew Lee After the Pledge of Allegiance “I’m going to Oxford of and a rendition of the national Emery. I wanna—in ten years—get my MBA from anthem, Catherine Mahoney, the Luke Willis grad school hopefully.” class president, said a few words. “[I’ll be] playing baseball She referred to her class as “one at Coastal Carolina next year. [In ten years I want to be] liv- of the most spirited, vibrant, and ing happily with some money accomplished graduating classes and a family I guess.” that Oakton has ever seen.” Principal Dr. John Banbury Maura Brennan and Erica Riddle celebrate their gradua- awarded graduating senior Kirin tion from Oakton High School during the schools 2011 Gupta with the Faculty Award. “It Graduation Ceremony on Monday morning. is the highest and most presti- gious award for any senior and speaks volumes on the importance of taking time to smell the roses. “It’s behalf of our faculty and staff,” Banbury told the ok to relax and have some fun.” audience. Components of the award include “schol- “Don’t worry so much about doing, and instead arship, school service, and personal integrity.” allow time for just being. Because no matter what Grace Ayres Newman, in a speech to her fellow you’re doing next year, you are going to be ok.” graduates, spoke of the future. Commencement Before the graduates began to receive their di- speaker and New York Times bestselling author plomas, the Oakton High School Madrigals sang Lauryn Hyer Alexandra Robbins encouraged the graduates to rest “That Lonesome Road.” The audience cheered “I’m actually going back to easy about what is to come: “You’re not supposed to wildly as the last graduate, Robert Zuerlein, walked my high school to be a post- graduate. I’m staying another know [what’s to come] right now. Dream big, yes, across the stage, received his diploma, and took a Lisa Wright year. I would like to have a but dreams change. And that’s fine.” deep bow. “[I’m going to] CNU. I job and go to George Mason While she advocated that the graduates, “work the [have] no idea [what I’ll be [in ten years].” doing in 10 years]. best” that they are able in academia, Robbins stressed —Julie Inglis www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ June 22-28, 2011 ❖ 3 News Post 180 Adjutant Mike Paruti helps his daughter Allison lower a worn flag into the barrel of flames. Photo by Donna Manz/ The Connection Retiring Flags, With Dignity six metal barrels, filled with gasoline and burning American Legion wood. ceremonially retires The disposal of the flags was prefaced with a brief ceremony conducted by officers of Post 180, honor- U.S. flags at ceremony. ing the worthiness and symbolism of the flags’ histo- ries. “Our American stars and stripes is our national By Donna Manz symbol, and we display it and retire it with respect The Connection and honor,” said former Post 180 Commander Bob Hatter. “Our veterans fought - many died - to protect our to six times throughout the year, Ameri that flag and our freedom.” can Legion Post 180 of Vienna retires worn The American Legion, America’s largest veterans’ For damaged American flags by burning organization, takes the lead in proper handling, dis- them in a ceremony of respect. The pro- play and disposal of worn flags, Hatter said. “We feel gram on Flag Day, June 14, typically garners the most it is our patriotic duty to serve our flag reverently public attention. The Flag Day disposal burned be- and properly by disposing … of it ceremonially by tween five and six thousand flags, several of which fire.” were the size of a small house. Retired flags, hoisted on eight-foot long poles, were carefully lowered into See Honoring Flags, Page 5 Follow us on Tranquility right in your own yard… Mary Kimm, Publisher @marykimm Michael O’Connell, Managing Editor @ffxconnection Julia O’Donoghue, Reporter Let LeapnLizard Landscapes @Followfairfax create the garden of your dreams: Michael Lee Pope, Reporter • Lawn maintenance • Exquisite Patios @MichaelLeePope • Irrigation systems • Relaxing water features • Sod and mulch services • Decks • Low voltage lighting • Hardscapes Alex McVeigh, Reporter @AMcVeighConnect Call today for a Free Consultation with our Professional Landscape Team! Jon Roetman, Sports Reporter 703-829-5327 @jonroetman www.leapnlizardlandscapes.com TWO POOR TEACHERS Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Bringing the Showroom to YOU!! Select your remodeling products from our mobile kitchen and bathroom showroom and design center!! 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Although the flag disposal boxes are well-marked with their “Our flag has flown in Europe during function, not everyone who drops some- WWII, Iwo Jima, and flies today at our many thing in these boxes is dropping a flag. military cemeteries throughout the world,” Former Post 180 Commander Bob Hatter said Mishoe. “It represents the awesome said they have received stamped outgoing sacrifice those Americans who so loved their mail. country, and fought in those wars, made to The burning of a country’s flag dates back ensure the freedom that we all now enjoy. before the birth of Christ, explained 2011- “Improper disposal of the American flag 2012 Post 180 Commander Phil Mishoe. would be a slap in the face to those who The greatest dishonor a Roman legion could gave so much.” suffer was the loss of its flag, he said. Sol- Miss Teen Virginia Galaxy Amy Copans, diers stayed at their post and died to give a 2011 James Madison High School gradu- their flag bearer the opportunity to escape ate, made an appearance at the flag disposal with the legion’s flag. Rather than have their ceremony. flag captured by the enemy, they would For more information, visit burn it. www.legion180.net. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ June 22-28, 2011 ❖ 5 Opinion www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Newspaper of Vienna & Oakton Hungry in Summertime An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered Fairfax County to homes and businesses. Miles to go in providing summer nutrition to 1606 King Street USDA Summer Food Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Northern Virginia’s poor students. Service Program NEWS DEPARTMENT: To discuss ideas and concerns, The program was established to ensure that students airfax County has more than 44,000 specifically served needier student populations. Call: 703-778-9410 who qualify for free and reduced price meals during e-mail: students enrolled who are poor It’s also eye opening to note that more than the school year continue to receive nutritious meals [email protected] enough to qualify for subsidized 20 percent of students in Fairfax County are when school is not in session. Free meals that meet F federal nutrition guidelines will be provided to chil- Kemal Kurspahic meals. poor enough qualify for subsidized meals.