Prince William County Schools (PWCS) received a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to support computer science classes in the district.

PWCS has an initiative in place, called "Inspiring Future Innovators: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Talent," which aims to foster more interest and engagement in careers related to computer science.

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Correction: An earlier version of this article did not include Laura Goldzung's educational distinction, an Ed.D. We have updated the article and photo caption to reflect her degree. Tracy Hammond, a special education teacher in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS), was recently given the Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year award from the district. Hammond is currently a teacher at Haydon Elementary School. She's been with MCPS since 2007, but has been teaching special education since the early 1990s. "My goal as an educator is to not only teach academic content but also to inspire a love of learning, resilience, and self-advocacy in my students," Hammond said in an MCPS release. "Special education is more than just a profession to me; it’s a calling." Throughout her career, Hammond has worked with students in the special education program at all levels but currently focuses on students in kindergarten through fourth grade. She's also served as a grade-level team leader, a mentor for new teachers and a representative for the Manassas Education Association.

"My passion for special education is rooted in the belief that all students – regardless of their backgrounds or challenges – can succeed when given the right support and resources," Hammond said. "I am dedicated to providing that support, advocating for my students and creating an environment where each child can thrive."

Haydon Elementary Principal Laura Goldzung, Ed.D., said Hammond was a passionate advocate for students.

"I have rarely encountered a professional so unwavering in her commitment to equity for all students," Goldzung said. "Through her words and actions, she thoughtfully challenges assumptions and established practices to ensure that decisions are student-centered, data-informed and lead to high-quality instruction."

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This Saturday, the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST) will host its 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition, and many local students are participating.

Middle and high school students throughout the Prince William County area, including the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, will display their oratorical skills. According to a press release from the organization, this year’s six regional competitors must center their speeches on “Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy: My Voice, My Choice, My Future.”

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Correction: An earlier version of this article stated Daryl Price was a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School. Price was a 2024 graduate and is now attending MICA College. 

Daryl Price, a 2024 graduate of Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Manassas, now has his artwork on display in an international exhibition.

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The Unity Reed High School girls soccer team has introduced more than 20 Loch Lomond Elementary School students to soccer this school year.

Unity Reed High, a school in Prince William County Schools (PWCS) has partnered with another district school in Manassas, Loch Lomond, to introduce the younger students to organized sports at the Super Scotties Soccer Club.

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Happy Monday, Manassas! Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Jan. 13 regular meeting, the first of 2025. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.

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Prince Wiliam County is teaming up with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) to conserve Doves Landing Regional Park in Manassas.

NVCT is a regional nonprofit founded in 1994 to safeguard the region’s wildlife and natural landscapes. According to the nonprofit’s website, it has protected more than 9,000 acres of land across the region in both urban and rural areas.

Doves Landing is a 308-acre park with access to the Occoquan River. 95% of the land is forested and the area around the river are considered a crucial wetland habitat. The county acquired the land in the 1990s, but remained vacant until the Board of County Supervisors made it a park in 2013.

In 2022, the Board adopted a new master plan for the park and replaced the 2013 master plan. The updated plan now accounts for the additional 73 acres acquired by the county in 2020.

“With the ongoing development pressures and increased population growth occurring in Prince William County, preserving lands for passive recreation and environmental protection are even more important for the health and wellbeing of the county’s residents,” the master plan document states. “Having 500 acres of essentially undisturbed waterfront forest that is available for hiking, biking, fishing and paddling, creates a respite for residents to enjoy the outdoors.”

Doves Landing currently has around 3 miles of trails and 1 mile of shoreline access to the Occoquan River.

“The need to preserve our natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy freely from development pressure is stronger than ever and we are grateful for partners like NVCT who make the conservation easement process easy for jurisdictions like ours,” Seth Hendler-Voss, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said. “We are proud to serve a community and board of elected officials who prioritize our unique environment.”

Many local residents and groups including the Prince William Conservation Alliance have been advocating for Doves Landing’s conservation since its inception, the county press release stated.

“Local residents spoke loudly and clearly about their desire to see this special place conserved for its natural beauty, and we are committed to working with the dedicated county parks staff to fulfill that promise,” Alan Rowsome, executive director of NVCT, said.

The UVA Health Prince Wiliam Medical Center in Manassas has earned a top spot in the U.S. News & World Report list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, a recent press release stated.

The hospital system’s Manassas campus received a “high-performing” rank from the publication, the highest recognition a hospital can receive. U.S. News & World Report highlighted the hospital’s low unnecessary Cesarean section and newborn complication rates and saw it as a birthing-friendly facility.

“I am incredibly proud to have our teams once again recognized for their hard work and unwavering dedication to providing exceptional healthcare to the families of our communities,” said Michelle Strider, chief nursing officer of UVA Health’s community medical centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper. “Our teams consistently give their best in our labor and delivery, mother-baby, and neonatal intensive care units. We are deeply committed to offering the highest level of care in the most advanced community care environments, inspiring hope from the very start for our newest little Virginians.” “

Nearly 63% of babies born at the hospital were exclusively breastfed or fed breast milk during their hospital stay, which is above both regional and national averages.

“The average in the South is 38.8% and the national average is 49%. Feeding breast milk boosts an infant’s immune system and brain development and may protect against allergies, asthma, obesity and other conditions,” the U.S. News & World Report’s page said.

According to a press release from the hospital, the Manassas campus delivered 1,932 babies in 2024 and admitted 238 babies for care in the newborn intensive care unit.

“Rankings only catch a glimpse of the daily exceptional work performed by our maternity teams,” Keisha Walker, director of women’s and children’s services, UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, said. “I am incredibly proud of the consistency and dedication our team demonstrates every day, providing care during a time that is both exciting and, at times, overwhelming for our patients and their families. This well-deserved recognition reflects our ongoing mission to deliver superior healthcare to people of all ages.”

The Prince William Medical Center joins several other facilities in Virginia that were ranked as “high-performing,” including UVA Health’s Culpeper Medical Center, VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax and the Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach.

On Dec. 13, 2024, Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith hosted a “Seal the Deal” event in the Town of Occoquan, where couples could get married without the hassle of planning an elaborate ceremony and reception.

According to a press release from the clerk, Smith married 18 couples during the event. Couples were able to marry in the decorated Occoquan Town Hall with family and friends. Each ceremony was intimate and festive as the hall was decorated for the holidays with festive lights.

“This modern approach to the wedding experience provided couples with an exclusive moment to marry— without the stress of planning an elaborate wedding, the burden of excessive costs or the pressure of social expectations,” the press release stated.

In addition to “Seal the Deal,” Occoquan hosted the Firelight Night event. Local businesses also donated wedding gifts for the couples to take home after their respective ceremonies.

Smith will host her “Valentine’s Day Bash” in February, which will be similar to the “Seal the Deal” event where couples can have an intimate ceremony. For more information, please visit the clerk’s website or social media.