05/31/17

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DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111

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Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141

Vol. 34, No. 4 | Richmond Suburban News | May 31, 2017

Balducci and Hancock leading as DPRT convenes 1st of 6 meetings HHS valedictorian, salutatorian By Melody Kinser Managing Editor

M

ECHANICSVILLE – Antonio Balducci leads the 2017 Class of Hanover High School as valedictorian with a grade point average of 4.70. Lauren Hancock graduates as salutatorian with a 4.72 GPA. Balducci is the son of David and Anne Balducci. At Hanover High, he has been involved with the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Math Club, Young Republicans Club, Latin Club (spribus position), Key Club, Class Club, Hawk Ambassador, and SODA. Balducci has a lengthy list of community involvements,

Hanover High School 12 p.m. Saturday June 17 VCU Siegel Center

ANTONIO BALDUCCI

LAUREN HANCOCK

HHS valedictorian

HHS salutatorian

including helping with concessions at the Mechanicsville Little League, helping with the Church of the Redeemer with its Christmas Parade, and helping in the MCEF (Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions) Parade in Old Town Mechanicsville. In addition to those volunteer activities, Balducci helped build the FX Show Choir set and helped backstage. He has helped manage and run in the ReeseStrong 5K. He also helped with the Rural Point Elementary School Fall Festival and the New Hanover Presbyterian

Church Fall Festival. Balducci has helped tutor in physics, math and chemistry. He took part in the Cole Sydner Basketball Fundraiser, as well as helping coach a younger Hanover Youth Basketball Team. Hanover High’s top student helped lead the Challenger Games, including baseball and/or basketball. He also raised funds for the Challenger League. His community work also includes participating in CARITAS Feed the Homeless. Balducci will be attending the University of Richmond, where he plans to obtain a

degree in chemistry in three years. He then will spend two years at the University of Virginia, where he will receive a degree in engineering. As Balducci prepares to leave high school behind, he said, “My senior year has been my most favorite year so far, because I have been able to play more for Hanover’s baseball team. My friends have also dominated their sports as well, and I have loved going out to games to support them. It has been a blessing to be able to represent Hanover High, and to be recognized as top of the class.” Hancock is the daughter of Jason and Melinda Hancock. She has served as captain of cross country, captain of outdoor track, vice president of the Math Team, and captain of SODA (Student Organization for Developing Attitudes). She also has been a member of indoor track, Beta, National Honor Society, and the Federation of Christian Athletes. Hancock’s community see HANOVER, pg. 4

16-member committee agrees there are no easy answers to rail impact By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local

HANOVER — There are no easy answers. That’s the consensus as 16 members of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) wrapped up its first meeting to discuss the impact of the proposed Washington, D.C., to Richmond Southeast High Speed Rail (DC2RVA) project. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has received additional time to devise options to increase rail capacity through

the Ashland-Hanover region before making a formal recommendation to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA is scheduled to release a draft environmental impact study for the entire corridor next month, but recommendations for the Hanover portion of the project will not be included until the citizens advisory meetings conclude. DRPT director Jennifer Mitchell convened the first of six scheduled meetings and told see DPRT, pg. 5

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Supervisor Aubrey M. “Bucky” Stanley, left, Beaverdam District, County Administrator Rhu Harris and DPRT director Jennifer Mitchell were among the 16 committee members taking part in the meeting Tuesday, May 23.


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