11 minute read
Kids Corner features National Merit Scholars Sophia Evanisko and Avik Rao
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR: Sophia Evanisko
By Marianne Weaver Sophia Evanisko, a 2021 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology graduate, was awarded a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship and will attend Texas A&M at College Station, double majoring in computer science and electrical engineering. “After I took my preliminary SAT (PSAT) in 10th grade, I found out that the semifinalists of the National Merit Scholarship are based solely on the scores from the PSAT test administered in 11th grade,” she said. “In 11th grade, after I received my test scores, I had to wait around six months to see if I made the cutoff to become a semifinalist. Each state has a different score required to be a semifinalist and Virginia has one of the highest in the nation. I only barely made the cut.” The award earned her automatic admission to Texas A&M’s honor programs and honor’s dorms. “I am attending Texas A&M because of the scholarships they offered me, their great engineering and computer science departments, their internships, and because I was accepted into both their engineering and school-wide honors programs,” she said. “Plus, they are giving me around 36 credits for my AP classes, so I basically have one year of college completed already.” Evanisko was the middle hitter on the Thomas Jefferson High School varsity volleyball team. She was the president of Russian Culture Club, vice president of the Russian Honor Society and a representative in the honor council, where she facilitated meetings between students and teachers after honor code violations. Her favorite subject was computer science. “Programming is a lot like a puzzle,” she said. “You have to think pretty creatively and tackle problems from a different angle, which always keeps me really engaged.” Before moving to Texas, she plans to hike the Shenandoah with friends, catch up on her science fiction reading list, and spend some quality time with her parents.
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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR: Avik Rao
By Marianne Weaver Avik Rao, a 2021 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology graduate, was awarded the National Merit University of Maryland Scholarship. “This scholarship will help further my education by allowing me to attend the University of Maryland at a lower cost - the cost of college is extremely high, especially as an out-of-state student, so any amount I can put toward paying it off is incredibly helpful,” said Rao, who will major in computer science. “UMD has an incredibly strong, nationally ranked computer science program, and it’s really close to home - pretty much only an hour’s drive away,” he said. “Staying near the D.C. area is also really enticing because of the many enticing career opportunities during school and after graduation.” Rao was involved with a handful of different high school clubs, which tended to evolve with his changing interests. He was in the Computer Security Club with three teammates who played online capture-the-flag competitions involving complex cybersecurity problems. During his freshman and sophomore years, he was a member of the CubeSat club, which planned on launching a satellite into space. “From time to time, I’d visit the chess club to play chess with friends and improve my skills at the game. I also had an internship during summer 2020,” he said. “Most of my free time went into programming personal projects and learning new concepts in subfields of computer science.” His most memorable high school moments occurred before COVID. “Designing a robot and putting it to competition in freshman year for our Design and Tech class was a really fun experience,” he said. “Spirit Wars during homecoming were always an absolute blast, as were the homecomings themselves. Even summer school before sophomore year is one of my favorite memories, where I experienced school in what felt like a completely different attitude and environment.” This summer, he plans to work on some personal projects to maintain his programming skills. “But,” he said, “I’m also taking the time to learn life skills like cooking!”
Summer Reflections: PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR By Claire Johnson Machosky BA, MS, SAS, Book Author
-- A Path to Learning and Literacy, p. 38 Whatever you choose to call this past year, it is one for the history books; one that has changed our lives and will continue to impact our future. For me, this year of virtual socializing culminated with the online Educators Rising conference. This is a program for high schoolers interested in becoming teachers; Phi Delta Kappa, an international organization for teaching professionals, sponsors Educators Rising. I accepted the challenge and had the opportunity to serve as a virtual judge and presenter at the conference. Learning new technical skills, I was enlightened after interviewing 16 high school students from around the nation who are interested in administrative careers in education. These students shadowed an administrator for eight or more hours, interviewed him/her, produced a video, and finally appeared for a personal interview before a panel of judges. The students were poised, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their future and ours. I was impressed! Listening to the candidates assess their experience I heard repeatedly the need for better time management. So, from their insights I found my topic for this month. Time management is all about planning! For some people it means making a list, while for others it means putting an event on the calendar or in their phone. Is that really time management? Let’s reflect on that! Did you plan a summer getaway or maybe a picnic? Think of all the steps it took to make it happen. Details, details, details! All that time and attention was part of your time management! Here are a few items to help you analyze the process - setting a date, extending invites, identifying needs, organizing materials, setting things in motion, enjoying the event(s), and of course, the wonderful feeling of accomplishment! Now, take that time-management process and explain it to your children and help them plan and apply those same principles to back-to-school preparations. School will be opening soon, and kids need to understand how to manage their time and find that sense of accomplishment. Gallup Polls have indicated that the atmosphere at home is the most important factor in student success. Parents: focus on giving your children the organizational and planning skills that will guide and direct them this school year. Shopping for school supplies – that’s the easy part. Creating the atmosphere for successful studying is the challenge. Strike up a conversation and jointly discuss – where to study, best time to do homework, internet access, computer tune-up, study resources, schedules, other commitments and activities. These topics must be explored, scheduled, and be part of
your child’s time management: first for starting school, and then following a daily and weekly routine to keep current with the academic demands of studying. Listen to your children! Help them take ownership of their schedules and their schoolwork! Remind them of the importance of always keeping up with their schoolwork. This coming school year holds the promise of tomorrow. In most cases students and teachers will be back in classrooms for interactive learning, yet virtual learning offered certain insights and changes in teaching and learning styles. Be prepared for the process of transitioning back to the classroom to present certain nuances. It will be an exciting year! Today is the time to plan a well-managed and successful year! Here are some suggestions to get you started with planning and time management. Answer the following questions: » Did I establish a realistic work schedule? » Do I have a comfortable work area? » When will I be doing my homework? » What supplies do I need? » Do I have an Agenda Book or Assignment Pad? Just as I used this column for reflecting, enjoy using the remainder of your vacation time to reflect on good memories and plan for success. A reminder that I will be at Fair Oaks Mall on the lower-level Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between August 6 and September 6th to talk about “How to Study” and to offer my book, “A Path to Learning and Literacy,” and additional Study Smart materials for sale. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you at the mall. Claire Johnson Machosky BA, MS, SAS Parent and Educator is dedicated to helping all children learn to study and succeed. Claire can be reached cmachosky@comcast.net.
CALENDAR of EVENTS
Event information may be out of date due to the COVID-19. Confirm details with event organizers.
Saturday, Aug. 28
HOUSE OF MERCY’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
@ 8170 Flannery Court, Manassas Enjoy the best food Northern Virginia food trucks have to offer along with raffles for prize baskets. Basket collection themes include baking, family movie night, family game night, wine night, teachers, ice cream, wedding, baby, Christmas, Fall/Halloween, arts and crafts and more. Pay as you eat. This is a pet-free event, excluding registered service animals. Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Cost: Pre-registration is free and highly encouraged. Each preregistered family will receive 10 free raffle tickets. houseofmercyva.org
Saturday, Sept. 1
CASA EVENING UNDER THE STARS FUNDRAISER
@ Fox Chase Manor, 8310 Chatsworth Drive, Manassas Formal dinner dance supports CASA who provides advocates for abused and neglected children in Prince William County and some other local areas. Time: 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. • Cost: Tickets begin at $200 casacis.org Saturday, Sept. 11
WARRIOR BIKE RIDE
@ The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, 16015 John Marshall Hwy., Broad Run This event supports our nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members through the services provided by the nonprofit organization Willing Warriors. Many of them will be participating in the event either as riders, volunteers or part of the crowd along the road cheering the riders on. Many active duty and veteran service members may also be participating. Time: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. • Cost: $30-$70 bikereg.com/warrior-ride
Saturday, Sept. 18
2021 OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL RIDE
@ Bull Run Harley-Davidson, 9321 Center Street, Manassas Sponsored by the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp. org), this event brings together hundreds of law enforcement motorcycle enthusiasts and supporters from around the country to pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes and raise awareness of line of duty deaths nationally. All proceeds support ODMP’s mission of remembering the fallen. If you can’t join us in person that day, you can be there in spirit -- register for the ride as a Spirit Rider and honor fallen law enforcement heroes from wherever you are! Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Cost: $30-$35 www.officerdownmemorialride.com
@ 9201 Center Street, Manassas
The Community Walks, held in hundreds of cities across the country, raise awareness and much-needed funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which strongly sends the message that suicide is preventable, and that no one is alone. Time: Registration begins at 10:30; event runs noon – 2 p.m. Cost: Registration is free chair.manassaswalk@gmail.com
Saturday, Sept. 25
JAZZ ON THE LAWN
@ 6740 Fayette Street, Haymarket This is an evening of jazz, dinner, gourmet desserts and togetherness to raise funds in effort to end homelessness among families and pregnant women, and to give babies caught in the cycle of homelessness a good first start and a safe home. Music will be provided by the one and only Black Market Band. Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Cost: $45 • carriedtofullterm.org
Saturday, Sept. 25
CARS, PUPS & PINTS
@ Rockwood VA, 7505 Iron Bar Lane, Gainesville On-the-spot adoption as well as donation collection for the Prince William County animal shelter. Shirts will be available with all proceeds going to the shelter as well. Family and pet friendly. Cost: Free • facebook.com/events/268162421666292 Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25, 26
2021 TANK FARM OPEN HOUSE
@ 13906 Aden Road, Nokesville The event will showcase 50 vehicles on display with an additional dozen that are demonstrated throughout the weekend. Among the vehicles on display are more than 100 living historians who bring the event to life. Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Cost: Free Pre-register at www.americansinwartime.org/news/ events/event-registration
Sunday, Sept. 26
7TH ANNUAL LAKE JACKSON VFD CHARITY CAR SHOW
@ 2 Silos Brewing, 9925 Discovery Blvd., Manassas This is the 7th annual charity car show. Money raised will be donated to support Childhood Cancer Research. Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; judging starts at 11 a.m.; awards will be at 2 p.m. • Cost: Free • ljvfd.com
Friday, Oct. 1
SWEET JULIA GRACE FOUNDATION CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Save the date! More information coming soon. www.sweetjuliagrace.org
