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MAGAZINE
Meet Our White House Fellow Local attorney Tara Murray fights for those without a voice
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COOKING AUTISM STUDENT WHO SHINES BROOKE POINT SIX-PEAT?
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CONTENTS
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NONPROFITS
Recipe for Success Cooking program helps children with autism develop skills, confidence
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AMAZING KIDS
Making an Impact Ambitious Radford student shines on stage – and off
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OUR NEIGHBORS COVER STORY
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SPORTS
Meet Our White House Fellow
Eyeing Another Takedown
Local attorney and human rights activist is learning on the job
Brooke Point aims for sixth straight state wrestling title
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ON THE WEB
www.staffordmagazine.com Stafford Magazine is published every other month and distributed to over 9,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to Stafford Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustrations or photographs is strictly forbidden. ©2022 Rappahannock Media LLC.
QUANTICO
A MoraleBooster Program builds quality of life for single Marines
COMMUNITY NEWS
Retiring Naval officer honored, new School Board leaders, and more
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VOICES
Behind the scenes at the county landfill ON THE COVER: Stafford attorney Tara Murray, photographed in Lafayette Square near the White House, where she is spending a year working as a White House Fellow. Photo by Paul Lara.
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NONPROFITS
Recipe for Success Cooking program helps children with autism develop skills, confidence BY TR ACY BE LL
A
plate of strawberry shortcake. Tacos, baked potatoes, spaghetti and pancakes – and of course, toast shaped like animal faces. What do they have in common? They’re all favorite children’s recipes that have played a part in the success of Cooking Autism Inc., a local nonprofit school-based program for autistic children. Five years after its start, Cooking Autism has come a long way, with a focus on students with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Down Syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Special-education teachers can apply to the nonprofit for grants twice a year. In turn they receive a life-skills and cooking program, with supplies, that they can weave into their lessons. April and Morgan Burch, residents of Stafford’s England Run, have two children with autism and ADHD. They started Cooking Autism with the help of educators at Conway Elementary School. “Selfishly helping my son’s classroom morphed into something more,” April Burch said, explaining that the nonprofit was born out of necessity. Cooking Autism has grown to support 63 classrooms in Stafford and surrounding areas, plus one in Georgia and another in Maryland – for a total of about 700 children this year. The group now includes 42 educators and an eight-member regional board of directors. April Burch (inset photo) started Cooking Autism Inc. after her son, Danny (right), was diagnosed with autism.
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Top: Cooking Autism sometimes holds classes in local restaurants; bottom: Hunter Burch, 13, prepares pancakes in the family’s home.
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The idea is that cooking helps children develop fine-motor and social skills, ask for things they need, follow instructions and try new foods while building independence, confidence and fostering friendships. The group raises money for homeschoolers and other children without access to a brickand-mortar school program. The nonprofit also holds cooking classes for children once a month at the Fredericksburg Food Co-op, and some restaurants are also used for classes. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, all students were suddenly out of their routines – so Cooking Autism held a fundraiser to get pandemic supplies to parents, including trampolines and kinetic sand. The nonprofit also provides virtual classes and videos on its YouTube channel. There, students enjoy creating recipes, acquiring life skills and participating in “Nailed It” demonstrations, where they can try their best recreation of a demonstrated recipe. Cooking Autism also helps families going through a first diagnosis through phone
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Race, festival to raise funds for nonprofit
calls and support groups, Burch said, noting that there’s grief in realizing your child’s life may be more challenging, but a diagnosis helps put things on track. Burch said the Rappahannock Area Autism Council, of which she is a member, is a wonderful resource for parents and advocates. To a family with a child newly diagnosed with autism, Burch would say: “Take a moment to absorb the information. When ready, the Rappahannock area is rich with resources to support the child and family. The autism community is an amazing, supportive wonderful community. Life will get easier. It looks scary now, but there is a lot of joy. Ask for help.” Burch recalled when her younger son, Danny, now 10, was falling behind developmentally. His babysitter noticed a lack of crawling and babbling, picking up on the signs. After reaching out to Stafford County Public Schools and Head Start, the Burches soon learned that their son was developmentally delayed. He was eventually diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Their older son Hunter, now 13, wasn’t diagnosed with autism and ADHD until the
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Cooking Autism Inc. will hold a running race and family festival on Saturday, April 2, to raise funds for its programs. The second annual event, Race Toward Autism Acceptance, will be at Old Mill Park in Fredericksburg on what is also World Autism Day. “We’re really excited about it,” said organizer April Burch, who along with her husband, Morgan Burch, started Cooking Autism five years ago. Last year’s race raised $33,000, Burch said. The entire amount was used for grants for special-education teachers to provide cooking programs in their classrooms. This year’s event, rescheduled from its original Oct. 16 date because of COVID-19 concerns, will include a 10K, 5K and a children’s 1-mile race followed by a festival. A virtual race option will also be offered. The free festival will feature dancing, music, food trucks, prizes, a bounce house and slide, a hula-hoop competition and oversized board games. There will be autism-service and other vendors, specialty cars, children’s swings, service dogs and face painters. Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Deuntay Diggs – the county’s dancing deputy – will sing the National Anthem. During the races, live music will play along the race paths, local deejay Char’Lee will join in on the fun and a violinist will play race-themed songs. The races will begin and end at Old Mill Park, looping down the Rappahannock River Canal Path in timed heats in groups of 50. The 10K kicks off at 7:30 a.m., the 5K at 8 a.m. and the 1-miler at 9 a.m., while the family festival will overlap, running from 8 to 10 a.m. The event will follow CDC COVID-19 guidelines and precautions, Burch said. Registration for the children’s race is $15 per runner; the 5K is $25 and the 10K is $40 until March 10. After March 10, the 5K is $30 and the 10K is $45. – Tracy Bell WANT TO GO? WHAT: Race Toward Autism Acceptance and Family Festival WHEN: Saturday, April 2 WHERE: Old Mill Park, 2201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg MORE INFORMATION: cookingautism.org, Facebook.com/Cooking Autism REGISTER FOR THE RACE: bishopseventregistrations.com
UGH!!
third grade. The average child with autism isn’t diagnosed until age 6, Burch added, but signs can present themselves at younger ages. According to the advocacy and support group, Autism Speaks, 1 in 44 children in the United States will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder: one in every 27 boys and one in 116 girls. Potential signs of autism and ADHD can be extensive but to name a few, some have sensory preferences and conditions, difficulties with food, a need for rigid consistency, lack of eye contact, quirky behavior and a hyperfocus while excelling at a particular interest. Burch said Cooking Autism started when Danny was in a special-education preschool class in an autism program with access to an “amazing” cooking program that went beyond food. It taught motor skills, communication and more. Danny’s development, confidence and communication improved through kindergarten. Social barriers lifted, his ability to follow directions increased and even his sensory aversions to food lessened. Burch volunteered in her son’s firstgrade classroom at Conway Elementary and overheard the teacher talking about a lack of money for that program’s cooking classes through the PTA. The Burches pitched in, funding a few of the classes, and ultimately supported five classrooms. Later, April Burch won a car from a radio-show raffle and instead of taking the car, asked for a donation to their son’s school cooking program. But the car dealership was receiving so many calls about the cooking program that the general manager suggested the Burches start a nonprofit. They were taken aback, but in the end, took the ball and ran with it. Cooking Autism was born. It came down to one realization, Birch explained, thinking back: “There are so many other Dannys that could really benefit from a program like this.”
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Tracy Bell is a freelancer who lives in Stafford County.
For more information on Cooking Autism, visit cookingautism.org and Facebook/Cooking Autism.
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AMAZING KIDS
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Making an Impact Ambitious Radford student shines on stage – and off BY TR ACY BELL
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hine a light on Devante Mosley and it only makes him sparkle more. Under pressure, he flourishes. On the spot, he thrives. The 22-year-old Radford University student, who lives in Stafford’s Austin Ridge subdivision when he’s not at college, is a 2018 graduate of Colonial Forge High School. At Radford, he’s a junior majoring in sociology and minoring in media production – a few changes of heart about his major now has him set to graduate in spring 2023. With his hand in a bit of everything, Mosley is a natural performer with a curiosity for the world. He cares about social issues, and he’s a go-getter, never shy and quick to step up to the plate. Growing up, he always found himself in front of a microphone or camera. “I was always good in the moment,” he said. “I just always knew that was something I could do.” Mosley is making the most of his time. He played a main character in an episode of the true-crime television show “CopyCat Killers,” produced in Baltimore. The documentary-style show features real-life crimes that seem to have been copied from the plots of actual films. He’s also appeared in a tiny independent movie as well as a short film that a student at Howard University was making – great experiences meeting new people and networking, he said. Mosley also hosts and performs at live events, dabbles in improv-comedy and performs in student theater. He found his way into a small music video shot in Atlanta. But he soon found joy behind the scenes of a production, too. He’s come to love producing, writing and editing – the pieces that make a show come together. “I still want to act, but I have a bunch of ideas in my head that, sometime down the line, will come out eventually,” Mosley said. “I want to build up my own production
company and shoot large-scale films.” With such big ambitions, it’s ironic that one of the things that appealed to Mosley about Radford was that it isn’t super big and offers a nice change of pace. Upon arriving, he felt sure that Radford is where he should be – a place “kind of away from everything” where distractions are minimal and there’s a “close-knit” feel. Maybe that’s because Mosley has been used to city life. The youngest of three children, Mosley was born in Japan while his father, in the Marine Corps, was stationed there. At Radford, he juggles a fraternity,
school clubs and interests, plus numerous leadership positions on campus that gave him a platform for activism. That’s where his major, sociology, ties in. Mosley wants to advocate for others, especially those who don’t have a voice. His heart is drawn to social issues in the world, what it all means and the bigger picture. And he learned a lot about it from Radford professor Stephanie Bradley. He takes two of her classes – Social Inequality and Race and Ethnic Relations. Bradley said Mosley is adept at thinking about how policies, roles and norms in
Radford University student Devante Mosley helped lead a student-run rally and march on campus in the fall of 2020. social institutions impact lives. “That is one of the hardest things for students to get,” she said, noting that Mosley’s contributions in the classroom resonate with others. In the fall of 2020, Mosley helped lead an on-campus, student-run rally – the Bigger Picture March – which drew hundreds of students demonstrating peacefully following the death of George Floyd as they
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Devante Mosley was interviewed by local reporters and spoke to the crowd gathered for the Bigger Picture March he helped to organize in the fall of 2020 at Radford University.
sought racial justice, equality and unity. “It needed to happen,” said Mosley, who has a passion for social justice but acknowledged the challenge – “a lot of backlash and hatred from our surrounding community members, but we prevailed.” He credits Bradley for opening his eyes to things he thought he knew a lot about, with respect to why society is the way it is. “She showed me there’s a lot more that you can know to be able to affect the world, to positively change the world.” In turn, Bradley is confident that Mosley will find a hidden synergy in his interests when building a career, noting that sociology can complement many fields of interest. “Sometimes folks don’t see how sociology can complement business, but I actually see a very strong relationship,” Bradley said. “If he’s making content, he could highlight stories that are socially relevant. If he’s a decision-maker in theater or in casting, he can think about where to find talent that is not just coming from a single vantage point. I think that’s highly important.” Graduate school may be in Mosley’s future – or maybe he’ll chase his cinematic dreams. Either way, he wants to make a difference, and at Radford he knew he’d have that chance. “I knew I could have an impact and hopefully affect people in a positive way – which I think I’m doing.” One of his favorite quotes is: “If you want something you’ve never had before, you must do something you’ve never done before.” If Mosley had to advise other students trying to find their passion, he’d tell them to find something they naturally love to do and explore the possibilities, whatever that may be. “Never let anyone tell you it can’t be done.” Tracy Bell is a freelancer who lives in Stafford County.
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NEIGHBORS
Meet our White House Fellow Local attorney and human rights activist is learning on the job BY ERIC ALT HOF F | P HOTOS BY PAUL L AR A
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ara Murray is a civil rights and human rights attorney who has consistently fought for those without a voice. The Stafford resident, whose three kids are ages 3 to 9, says her children have at least some idea of what their mother does for a living. “Essentially they know that Mommy stands up [against] injustice,” Murray said. “They know that I [have] a White House Fellowship, and they’re very excited for me to have this opportunity.” Murray is commuting five days a week to Washington for her yearlong fellowship, which embeds nongovernmental professionals into the inner workings of the executive branch. Murray is working in the Office of Cabinet Affairs, which acts as a liaison between President Joe Biden and his Cabinet. “I applied to this program because I really wanted the opportunity to [understand] the power of making decisions and how to strategize,” Murray said. “Ultimately those decisions impact our country, and particularly the community that I have served throughout my career.” Murray grew up in Los Angeles before moving to
Washington to study at Howard University. She moved north for law school at Harvard, returning to the capital region thereafter. She first worked as a clerk for Judge Richard W. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. A postgraduate teaching fellowship at Georgetown University followed soon thereafter. From 2009 to 2013, Murray lived in London, where she was deputy director of Reprieve UK, a human rights organization. At Reprieve UK, Murray became focused on the intersection of the issues of combat and human rights. She represented several dozen prisoners at Guantanamo in federal court and worked on an inquiry into drone strikes in Pakistan that resulted in civilian casualties. Murray and her husband, a pastor originally from Silver Spring, Md., returned to the United States in 2013 and moved to Woodbridge before settling in Stafford. “The Stafford community is a good mix of people, of ideals, and I think it’s reflective of our broader society,” Murray said of living in the county, which also provides a welcome difference from her time in big cities such as Los S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E
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It gives me hope to see so many people galvanized and using their voices to try to effect change Angeles and London. “And I just love the people in Stafford. I love that it’s kind of a ‘retreat’ for me and my family.” Murray has run a sole legal practice focusing on civil and human rights since returning from London. She has worked with organizations such as the NAACP and ACLU, as well as Amnesty International and other nongovernmental organizations focusing on racial justice, education reform, prisoner rights, political participation and police accountability. Asked whether it’s difficult to stay optimistic when human rights appear to be in retreat in much of the world, Murray says she understands the cynicism. “But I do find hope,” she added. “I do a lot of talks with younger people just starting off their careers as lawyers, or people in law school or even at the undergraduate level. That gives me hope talking to them and hearing their ideas and their perspectives.” Murray also believes that in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police in 2020, more people than before have become involved in fighting for racial justice and equality. “Even though I’m obviously very saddened by the events that led up to that, it gives me hope to see so many people galvanized and using their voices to try to effect change,” she said. Murray applied for the White House Fellowship program in November 2020. Two rounds of interviews followed, and
she learned last June that she would be working in the Biden White House for a year. The position is full time, so she had to step back from her law practice in the meantime – handing off clients and projects to colleagues. “There is a whole community service part of the fellowship,” Murray said. “In the spring I’m looking forward to getting out there as a cohort [to] really shine a light on some of these wonderful community organizations that are doing amazing things in the D.C. area.” Murray clocks 100-mile round trips each day from Stafford to Washington and back – and has invested in an EZ-Pass to more speedily return to her husband and children in the evenings. Stafford is a great place to raise a family, Murray said, given the county’s diverse population and its mixture of civilian and military workers. When not working and commuting to the capital, Murray and her family enjoy dining at Kobe Japanese Steak & Seafood House as well as Dalia’s African Cuisine, both in the Garrison Woods area. “We [celebrated] Kwanzaa this year, and … my children [asked], ‘Can we get some food from Dalia?’” Murray said. “I love that we’re able to find that in Stafford. I love that we’re able to find a Japanese steakhouse or African cuisine all in the same strip. I love that my children are able to have that experience.” Wherever someone lives, Murray believes it’s paramount to become more involved in the community, particularly through service and volunteering. She recommends seeking opportunities at local schools or nonprofits to donate funds or time, even in Stafford, where the needs of many have only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “We can get so closed off, particularly when you live outside a major city center,” Murray said. “There are a lot of people, even in the community of Stafford, who are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic. People have lost loved ones. And I think children have been impacted because school has been disturbed.” She noted that many community organizations in Stafford are doing great work. “There’s so much to be done,” she added. “And if we all do a little bit, I think it will move things along.” Eric Althoff is a freelancer who lives in Stafford. S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E
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QUANTICO
A Morale-Booster Program builds quality of life for single Marines BY T R ACY B EL L
Top photo: The Single Marine Program has a recreation center on Marine Corps Base Quantico. Bottom photos: Participants in the program, including the president, Sgt. Carlos Oliveras (right photo), packed goody bags and provided supplies for other Marines on base during the holidays.
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better life in the military, fun with friends and a heart for the community – that’s what the Single Marine Program strives to achieve at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Its purpose is to address any potential dissatisfaction with military life and head it off by providing opportunities for leisure and socialization, as well as volunteering. The program focuses on improving quality of life for single Marines and sailors, but also welcomes those separated from family members by distance. And for Shaneekwa Christopher, who coordinates the program within the National Capital Region, the resulting smiles and connections are more than worth it. “Marines join this program because it empowers them,” Christopher said. “Marines power the program by participating and giving their ideas and in turn, the Marine Corps leadership empowers them. Marines own their program. We allow them to be who they are.”
Cpl. Dalia Becerra
Sgt. Carlos Oliveras
Christopher said the program enhances morale, recreation, community relations and personal development, improving total-force readiness, unit cohesion, job performance and retention. The Marine Corps established the program in 1995 after a quality-of-life study it conducted two years earlier revealed sobering results. The survey found that 43% of young, single Marines felt dissatisfied with their quality of life and access to leisure activities. In response, Marines soon saw their social, volunteer and recreational opportunities increase. At Quantico, the program’s participants choose and sign up for group outings and
Shaneekwa Christopher
events online. It's a fun, safe way to allow for relaxation with friends and meet new people, said Christopher, a civilian who lives in Fredericksburg. “It can sometimes be a challenge coming to a new installation not knowing anyone,” she said . Once connected, they discuss life as a Marine, allowing them to eventually build “lifelong friendships that can last an entire career.” The group unites for fun trips and also participates in monthly volunteer opportunities. Sgt. Carlos Oliveras, 25 – originally
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from Puerto Rico and a Participants in the Single Marine for seven years Marine program visited – is the Single Marine a physical education Program president at class at Spotswood Quantico. Elementary School. Oliveras said that when he received orders to Officer Candidate School, he became particularly aware of the program. “Not only was it an escape for fun activities with friends after a long week of work, but also a pillar to give back to the community and that was one thing I really enjoyed doing,” he said. One of his favorite events was at Spotswood Elementary School in Fredericksburg, where his group helped gather trash, paint, tend the school’s garden and trim trees. It was satisfying because Oliveras and his friends could help provide a clean and safe environment for the school’s children. It was also an opportunity to be role models. Oliveras said the group took part in physical education classes with the students, a chance to positively influence and help educate them. Cpl. Dalia Becerra said she has enjoyed a number of events and trips with the program, including school beautification, ax-throwing, Wreaths Across America and the Fredericksburg SPCA. “The program has helped me in more ways than I can say,” she said. “It’s gotten me out of my bubble for starters, and allowed me to meet great people.” Learning to give and serve is good for the Marines, said Christopher, who along with base Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, works to “build mind, body and connection” for the Marines through the program. Past and upcoming events include visiting Cavalier Skating Rink in Stafford, volunteering at the Fredericksburg SPCA, touring
Chancellorsville battlefields, and exploring museums, including a variety in Washington. There are also car shows, holiday-themed events and movies, seasonal celebrations including a fall trip to Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, a Thanksgiving bash with dinner, and Christmas festivities. The group participates in school outreach projects and even has a recreation center on base where participants meet. The Single Marine Program existed prior to and through a pandemic, following COVID-19 guidelines and requirements. Participants share ideas for outings and make their voices heard, Christopher noted, along with 28 Marines who function as program representatives, encouraging involvement. It’s been a great success, but sometimes tricky. “Like any program, getting people to join in can be a challenge,” Christopher said, “especially at a base like Quantico because we are a training base and we move Marines in and out to various duty stations often.” During the holiday season, the Marines took in a holiday light show in Doswell and went ice skating. They spread cheer at another event, Trees for Troops, giving out free holiday trees to military families. And at yet another, Holiday in the Barracks, they provided dinners and good company to single and “geo-separated” Marines. And some participants stuffed and prepared 300 bags of donations from various vendors for other Marines to receive. Shelly Chapman, marketing director for Marine Corps Community Services at Quantico, said Christopher is passionate about her job. “I really cannot say enough about her caring attitude for these Marines and making them feel at home and loved.” Tracy Bell is a freelancer who lives in Stafford County. S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E
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SPORTS
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Eyeing Another Takedown Brooke Point aims for sixth straight state wrestling title BY DAV ID FAWC ET T | P H OTOS BY B IL L K AMEN JAR
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Left: Brooke Point wrestling coach Travis Harris demonstrates a technique during a practice. Above: Chase Van Hoven (on top) works with a partner during a drill.
ravis Harris had no interest in becoming a head wrestling coach again. He did it once in the 1990s at Potomac High School in Prince William County, his alma mater. He enjoyed the experience, but it was a challenge to balance the time required for coaching with family and running a business. Harris now owns 15 Mosquito Authority franchises. But when Brooke Point needed a replacement for Jake Johnson, Harris reconsidered. He had served as an assistant under Johnson and knew the wrestlers well after working with them at the Stafford Highlanders wrestling club. Taking the head job meant coaching his son, TJ, in a different role, something he was initially reluctant to do. TJ, though, wanted his dad to lead the Black-Hawks. He couldn’t think of anyone better qualified to keep Brooke Point’s success going. Others agreed. Harris followed suit. “I’d been coaching all these kids through the little league, and I did not want to leave them hanging,” Harris said. Without any other candidates who equaled or surpassed Harris’ experience, Brooke Point hired Harris in 2018, and the Black-Hawks have maintained their place as the state’s top Class 5 program.
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“It’s been a pretty easy transition,” Harris said. “We need to be healthy when it matters.” Brooke Point has won five straight state titles, two under Johnson and the past three under Harris and is the favorite to capture No. 6 when the state championships are held Feb. 18-19 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. The only other Stafford County high school with as many state wrestling titles is Colonial Forge, which has seven. Even though they graduated a number of seniors last year, the Black-Hawks feature a strong core of newcomers and veterans that make them formidable again. Freshmen Cadell Lee (106 pounds) and Chase Van Hoven (113) have been dominant this season. Lee follows in the tradition of his older brother, Chris, a former Brooke Point state champion. Parker Trahan, who won the 106-pound state title last season, is back at 120 pounds. Stephen Mainz, a state runner-up last season at 145 pounds, returns to wrestle at 160 pounds, as does TJ Harris, who finished second at states at 138 pounds. Remus Montalvo is back again at 182 pounds after placing fourth at states last season, and Quintarius Floyd is back at 220 pounds, where he finished third at states last
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season. The addition of Austin Pollard only bolstered Brooke Point’s lineup. Pollard was third at states in 2019 as a Colonial Forge freshman before wrestling last season at Benedictine, a private school in Richmond. “This is one of the better teams, if not the best we’ve had here pound for pound if we stay healthy,” Harris said. Before its string of state titles, Brooke Point had won only one district championship (1997) since opening in 1993. Harris credits the club wrestling scene and the coaching staff with building and then sustaining Brooke Point’s success. In addition to Harris, Brooke Point’s other two coaches are assistants Raphael Alves and Josh Deutel, both former wrestlers for the Black-Hawks. “The bar is set high, but we like to have fun and keep people who love the sport,” TJ Harris said. “There’s no drama, which is great.” TJ said it’s sometimes difficult having a dad who is also your head coach. But no one has taught him more about wrestling; in fact, the two always do some sort of wrestling move on each other when they cross paths at home to stay prepared. “He loves drilling,” TJ said of his dad.
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Brooke Point’s Cadell Lee (top) works with partner Chase Van Hoven during a practice. The two freshman have been dominant in their weight classes this season.
“We [do] the same move over and over.” Harris, who graduated from Potomac in 1989, was a two-time regional champion at his alma mater before going on to wrestle at Shippensburg University for one year and then Virginia Tech for three years. “Now that I’m older,” he said, “I’m realizing with each kid there’s a different psychological part in getting their head right.” David Fawcett is sports editor of InsideNoVa and a resident of Stafford County. He can be reached at dfawcett@insidenova.com.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Commander Patrick Havel speaks during his retirement and change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Ocean Processing Facility.
Retiring Navy commander from Stafford is honored U
.S. Navy Commander Patrick Havel from Stafford received the Meritorious Service Medal during a change-ofcommand and retirement ceremony in January at the Naval Ocean Processing Facility in Washington state. Commander Jonathan Nelson of Lake Orion, Mich., relieved Havel as commanding officer of the Whidbey Island facility during the ceremony. The facility provides anti-submarine warfare reporting and cueing to operating forces and conducts maritime surveillance for homeland security in the Pacific. Havel received the Meritorious Service
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Medal in recognition of his distinguished naval service and commitment to the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System mission, according to a news release. Under his leadership, the facility reported over 1,500 critical contacts of interest, providing valuable intelligence to Pacific Theater commanders, and was dedicated to maintaining maritime awareness and undersea dominance. Havel reflected on his 21-year naval career: “11 moves, nine duty stations, seven states, three officer communities, two continents, two islands, and countless shipmates along the way.” He expressed gratitude to his family for
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their support. “I wouldn’t be here without your love and support.” Capt. Steven Faulk, commander of Undersea Surveillance, was the guest speaker at the ceremony and praised Havel’s work, including deployment of a Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System crew for nine months, which broke records for longevity and performance. “Sailors were safe, ships and sailors were at sea, our partnership with our Canadian ally alive and strong, and always keeping our ears in the water,” Faulk said. “Our adversaries had no sanctuary with Cmdr. Havel leading NOPF Whidbey Island.”
New deputy county administrator named
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ichael Morris has been named a deputy county administrator for Stafford, replacing Mike Smith, who is retiring after more than 36 years of service. Morris previously had been director of Stafford's Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities department since 2016 and has more than 25 years of experience in local government. “He has done an excellent job … and his transition to deputy county administrator should ensure continuity of the office,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Crystal Vanuch of the Rock Hill District. Morris came to Stafford from Annapolis, Md., where he was director of recreation and parks. He has a master of science degree in education in sports management from Old Dominion University and a bachelor of science in accounting from Messiah College. He is a Weldon Cooper Executive Institute graduate and is working toward a doctorate in public administration from ODU. “Stafford is a vibrant community with much to offer its residents,” Morris said. “I look forward to working with county staff and the Stafford Board of Supervisors to respond to the needs of our community.” Brion Southall, assistant director of the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities department, will serve as interim director.
Mountain View H.S. receives diversity honor
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ountain View High School has earned a College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A. “The credit for this achievement goes to our teachers who encourage females to take the AP Computer Science courses and support them while in the course,” said Dr. James Stemple, Mountain View principal. More than 1,000 institutions achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science exam takers meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population during the 2020-21 school year. Mountain View was one of 199 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A. AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. According to the College Board, AP Computer Science A, which debuted in 1988, continues to grow and female participation has increased 33% since 2017.
School Board elects new chair, vice-chair
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atricia Healy of the Rock Hill District was unanimously elected chair of the Stafford County School Board during its Jan. 11 organizational meeting. Susan Randall of the George Washington District will serve as vice-chair. Healy has been the Rock Hill Representative on the school board for 22 years. She is on the board’s Governance and Joint Schools working committees and also serves as liaison to the Stafford Education Foundation and the Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Committee. “I am honored to serve as the chair of the school board,” Healy said. “With the continued support of our community and the addition of our three new board members we will seamlessly carry on the board’s unwavering commitment to Stafford County Public Schools’ vision of preparing students for success in further education, work and citizenship.”
Mary Washington Medical Group expands into Stafford
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rs. Reshma Parab and Mahdere Asfaw of Mary Washington Endocrinology and Lauren Fiske of Mary Washington Infectious Diseases have expanded their services to the Stafford Medical Pavilion on the Stafford Hospital campus. They join Mary Washington Cardiology, General Surgery, and Urology. “We are pleased to have Mary Washington Infectious Diseases and Mary Washington Endocrinology specialists at the Stafford Medical Pavilion” said Dr. Daniel Woodford, medical director of Mary Washington Medical Group. "Patients will have expanded access to these specialties and receive a more comprehensive approach to wellness with Mary Washington Medical Group.” As an affiliate of Mary Washington Healthcare, Mary Washington Medical Group offers patient-centered care in 21 specialties, from family medicine to highly specialized surgical care. S TA F F O R D M AG A Z I N E
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VOICES
Behind the scenes at the county landfill
BY DAVID S. KE RR
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t was one of those great mysteries, something I have wanted to learn more about ever since I moved to Stafford, but somehow the object of my curiosity seemed shrouded in the unknown. I knew we had a landfill, I had driven by it and been to its gates to deposit trash, yard debris and even hazardous waste. It’s a fullservice facility. But the question persisted: What lies beyond the limited amount of the facility the public can see? And what goes on back there? Finally, indulging my curiosity, I got my wish and had a guided tour. Rick Markwardt, the landfill superintendent, and Chris Hoover, the assistant superintendent, were my guides. Now you say, “It’s a landfill.” What’s the big deal about that? To which I answer, there is a lot more to it than I or probably anyone else realizes. It’s a major industrial operation that makes a tremendous contribution to this community. First, in the category of “handy facts you can use when
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you meet your buddies over coffee,” did you know that the landfill is the highest point in the county? That’s according to Stafford Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky, and he must be right because the view from the highest point is fantastic. And yes, you can see the mountains to the west. Overall, the landfill covers about 827 acres. That’s a substantial footprint. It’s organized into cells and was built by the Regional Solid Waste Management Board (“R-Board” for short) back in 1987. Each cell is lined with a special semi-porous material that guarantees the outside environment doesn’t suffer. Inside, watching the trash come in and being processed is amazing. The trash is hauled in, weighed and dumped. It is then organized by a team of bulldozers and crushed and compacted with a device that’s about half the size of an U.S. Army main battle tank. Although there are other crushers on site, this big one should have its own video. Every square inch of the cell is used in the landfill. It might surprise you to realize the landfill is a moneymaker. Private haulers pay tipping fees to dump their trash, and the landfill earns revenue from the sale of recyclables. One of the hottest items on the recyclable market is cardboard, which is easily processed. But don’t forget cans and plastics – they’re money-makers, too. There’s one revenue source that is not often talked about,
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The landfill, through a third-party company, runs a full-scale electrical generating plant at the facility.
but is substantial. One of the by-products of a landfill, the product of the decay of organic substances, is methane. It’s a combustible, even-burning gas that can be used to generate electricity. The landfill, through a third-party company, runs a full-scale electrical generating plant at the facility that produces electricity, which is sold to Dominion Energy. The output is sizable – roughly enough to power a community the size of Aquia Harbour, or about 2,500 homes. The Stafford Landfill is operated by the R-Board and serves Stafford, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. King George has its own landfill. The R-Board is made up of appointed and elected officials from each community. Stafford’s representative is the new county
supervisor from the Aquia District, Monica Gary. Stafford’s landfill requires day-in and day-out attention. Solid waste must be processed – and it never stops – the methane collection points must be constantly checked, and water runoff must be collected and processed so it doesn’t pollute neighboring streams and groundwater. The landfill never gets a day off. The landfill has been around since the late 1980s and is by no means full. There is at least another 30 years, probably more, of space left in this remarkable facility. David Kerr is a Stafford resident and an adjunct professor of political science at VCU. He worked on Capitol Hill and for various federal agencies for many years.
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