Northern Virginia Community College: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) will proudly host its 58th commencement ceremony to celebrate the remarkable dedication and achievements of this year’s graduating Nighthawks as they fulfill their dreams of higher education.

• When: 1 p.m., Sunday, May 12.
• Where: George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax).
• Commencement Speaker: JR Bontrager, director of technology at 3D Herndon.

JR Bontrager is an inspiring example of resilience and determination. At 46, he recently returned to NOVA, where he is studying engineering while also working full time as director of technology at 3D Herndon. As this year’s commencement speaker, JR is eager to share his personal journey, hoping to inspire others to take advantage of NOVA at any age or stage in their careers. Access to continuous education, he argues, is especially crucial in today’s dynamic and ever-evolving workplace.

An artist by nature, JR has a gift for designing and crafting creative solutions. At 3D Herndon, he specializes in 3D design, printing and scanning. The company is known for its innovative projects, including:

• Adaptive prosthetics for medical use.
• Renderings of ancient bones in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.
• Other cutting-edge product designs for a range of clients.

Beyond his work, JR is an advocate for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), a cause close to his heart due to his own battle with the condition. He loves leveraging his engineering expertise and passion for technology to improve the lives of others.

NOVA’s Commencement Ceremony:

• Will be live streamed Livestream | Northern Virginia Community College (nvcc.edu).
• Will be recorded and closed-captioned for viewing purposes.
• Will be made available on the NOVA website.

For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the Spring 2024 Commencement page.

Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation: Mason Neck State Park will host the 26th Annual Eagle Festival on May 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Park staff along with many exhibitors will be on the visitor center lawn for a full day of animal shows, hands-on activities, and outdoor recreation clinics that aim to highlight the rich natural history of Northern Virginia as well as foster stewardship of our environment.

“Guests will be able to see animals such as hawks and owls up close as well as learn about the majestic bald eagles, with the hopes of seeing one in flight during the event,” said Mason Neck State Park Chief Ranger Jamie Leeuwrik,

Parking for the event this year will be located offsite at Pohick Bay Regional Park at the Pirate’s Cove Waterpark. Shuttles will be provided to and from the festival at Mason Neck State Park and will run about every 15-20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The family-friendly event is free and will include a variety of food vendors, musical performances, and a puppet show.

“Caroline Seitz, the star of Kids Nature Shows, puts on such a fun and interactive show for kids and adults to experience the animals they might see at the park,” said Leeuwrik. “There will be a musical performance at 11 a.m. and another at 1:45 p.m. Eagle Festival is a great way to bring together the local community for programs and activities all in the name of conservation and preservation.”

Almost 60 years ago, Elizabeth Hartwell led a successful grassroots effort to preserve more than 5,000 acres of wetland habitats on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Fairfax County. Today her legacy lives on – especially through the annual Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park.

This event celebrates the decades of conservation work that has taken place on the Mason Neck Peninsula. Had it not been for the work done by individuals like Hartwell, nicknamed “The Eagle Lady” and for whom the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is named, the area would look drastically different than it does today.

Virginia Department of Transportation: The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a hybrid public information meeting Thursday, May 2 on planned innovative intersection improvements along Route 28 (Centreville Road) between Manassas Drive (Route 213) and Spruce Street based on recommendations from the Centreville Road (Route 28) STARS Study. The project aims to improve safety, operations, and pedestrian accessibility and mobility.

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Prince William Chamber of Commerce press release: Six local high school students were awarded scholarships at the annual Education and Workforce Breakfast, held on April 24th by The Prince William Chamber of Commerce.

The 2024 winners are graduating high school students who were selected by a panel of business leaders and were all awarded $2,500 scholarships, for use at their U.S. college or university of choice.

All of this year’s scholarship winners demonstrated exceptional dedication to academics and community involvement, meeting the criteria outlined by the scholarship committee.

The Prince William County students awarded scholarships at the breakfast are Camilia Giudici, Bryce Poole, Alexa McMillan, Helen Jacob, Sean Villacorte, Jacob Skufca.

This year’s program welcomed a panel discussion from the superintendents from Prince William County Schools, Dr. LaTanya McDade, City of Manassas Park County Schools, Dr. Melissa Saunders, and Executive Director of Student Achievement, Craig Gfeller. The panelists discussed local educational topics including how businesses can get involved and support schools in our community.

Education and Workforce Breakfast is a special event that focuses on education and workforce development in our community.

Stafford County Public Schools press release: Stafford County Public Schools is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of its Stafford High School competitors at the 59th SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference, held in Virginia Beach from April 19 to April 21.

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On Friday, May 10, Dumfries will celebrate the 275th anniversary of the original charter for Dumfries. 

The festivities will begin May 10 with a sold-out black-tie dinner at the National Museum for the Marine Corps. The dinner will have keynote speeches by local dignitaries, historical presentations on Dumfries’ intriguing history as a port town, and a commemorative program. The keynote speaker has yet to be announced.  

A family-friendly festival on May 11 and 12 at Garrison Park, behind the town hall, will include free historical tours,  re-enactors, and music, food, and vendors.  The  festival is free to attend.

Dumfries has previously held annual celebrations of Charter Day. The town’s original charter date is May 11, 1749. Much of the town’s colonial history has been lost over the years. The town was once a major east coast seaport and the early center of Prince William County’s’ government, economy, and social activities.

This year’s theme, “Rediscover Dumfries: Our Past, Present, and Future,” aims to highlight Dumfries’s journey through a curated selection of individuals, landmarks, and stories representing the town’s spirit and resilience. According to the council, the gala and celebration activities will honor Dumfries’ rich history and will also assist in the ongoing economic revitalization efforts.

The town’s website shows the 2024 Budget includes a budget of $197,5000 for Special Events for the newly created Office of Civic Engagement. The event will be primarily funded through a combination of taxpayer funds and private sponsorship, which Mayor Derrick Wood believes with emphasize the town council’s commitment to responsible fiscal management and community partnerships. 

The town manager Tangela Innis, in her letter published in the 2024 budget, notes the Civic Engagement office “will begin to fulfill the need for public services throughout more community events, free vaccination clinics, a new Farmer’s Market…and partnerships with [Prince William Parks & Recreations] to provide for after school activities.” She notes the 275th anniversary celebration is a one-time funding plan.

The 2024 budget also reports Dumfries’ population has a median income of $71,784 with 14.1% of persons in poverty. In her letter, Innis stated the desire to “Create an inclusive and financially sustainable environment where residents of all ages and backgrounds have access to quality housing, essential services, employment, and recreational opportunities”.

The council notes they have taken several steps to ensure taxpayer dollars are utilized efficiently for the celebrations, including using existing resources to minimize rental costs; encouraging volunteers to boost community spirit while lowering labor costs; and using transparent competitive bidding for services.

Tickets to the May 10 gala are $100 As of April 25, the event website states they are sold out. 

Sarah Romero contributed to this article.

Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

Early voting for the June Primary Elections in Stafford County begins on Friday, May 3, 2024. The election is on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

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The Prince William County Economic Development and Tourism Department and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce are proud to co-host the upcoming Calibrate Small Business conference with the Mason Small Business Development Center.

The free, one-day conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 29 at the Verizon Auditorium. It is designed for established businesses looking to grow.

This full-day experience provides small business owners with the education and resources to adapt, formulate, and assess the strengths of their business strategies.

Calibrate will feature a panel of entrepreneurs and keynote speakers who have an array of business knowledge.

During this event, small business owners can expect to learn how to improve their digital marketing, discuss access to capital, how manage HR issues and learn more about financial management as a small business owners.

This event is free and open to all small business owners who want to grow their businesses. Attendees will hear from business professionals on how to operate their businesses successfully.

To learn more about this event, visit: bit.ly/calibratesmallbusinesssummit.

Town of Occoquan Mayor E-Newsletter: Join us on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., for the dedication of the Town of Occoquan's LOVEworks sign in River Mill Park (415 Mill Street, Occoquan), designed by artist Darby Leondra. This event is free and open to the public.

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