Search Results

by Louise Seirmarco-Yale, Reston Artist Learning the art of seeing—not just looking—is an invaluable skill during the holidays, when our environment changes so noticeably. From Halloween through the New Year, our everyday world transforms through creative expression. We can train ourselves to see rather than simply glance. December’s decorations offer a wealth of visual experiences where we can practice seeing art. Notice both the subtle changes and the noisy, obvious ones in your surroundings. Look at the holiday lights. Then see how the lights glow, how shadows fall around each bulb, and how reflections on windows or ornaments add an extra layer of art to the nightly view. Ornaments, tinsel, and lights on shiny surfaces can create reflective patterns that feel visually loud. Try to notice all these effects. A holiday silhouette might be a tree outlined against the evening sky or a wreath shape on a door. The edges and subtle shapes that give these scenes their beauty deserve attention too. Consider the rhythms and patterns created by strings of lights, rows of wreaths, or stacked garlands. Nature meets décor in pine boughs paired with electric lights, holly in a metal pot, or bare twigs arranged in a vase with a bow. In a minimal holiday scene, less is more—one quiet vignette, like snow on a branch, can become the center of your focus. One bright ornament, one vivid ribbon, or a single light in a dark setting can offer a striking accent of color. Ask yourself, “What draws my eye?” Learn to focus on the art element. Lines of tinsel or the long sweep of ribbon down a tree help define the shapes we see. Look for lines. Time-worn garlands and vintage ornaments add the texture of age and tradition. Rusty sleds, old tree stands, and childhood decorations form a collage of memories. Children’s handprints in the snow, a stocking hung, or boots lined up by the door remind us of the sweetness of human presence during the holidays. Notice how a doorway dressed in greenery, a window display, or a decorated mantel frames what you see. Art is emotional and cements memories. As holiday artist-photographers, we edit, crop, and assemble images to archive our personal experiences. Use one favorite visual moment this month to make a piece of photo art. How does it feel to bring new awareness to decorations you once saw as ordinary? Practice seeing instead of simply looking. The potential for art is always there. Try something new this year as you unpack familiar décor. Notice the lines, colors, designs, shapes, textures, and contrasts. Remember that art lives within all of us, all the time. Have fun—and then photograph it. Happy holidays! Louise Seirmarco-Yale is a Reston artist, speaker, teacher and author of “Art. You Be The Judge. Reawaken your Instincts and Enjoy Art On Your Own Terms”, available on Amazon, or download for free at www.peopleneedart.com/ , Email Louise at: hello@peopleneedart.com , or follow her on FB and Instagram: @louise_seirmarco_art

Contributed by Synergy Design & Construction Consider timeless designs when remodeling your home. Photo contributed by Synergy Design and Construction Every season brings new colors, materials, and styles that inspire us to reimagine how our homes look and feel. But when you’re planning a remodel, it’s important to think beyond what’s current and consider what will still feel right for you years from now—not just this season. Incorporating timeless design elements allows your home to evolve with you, keeping it both beautiful and functional well into the future. Timeless design doesn’t mean avoiding trends; it means making choices that blend what you love today with what will serve you well later. Here are a few ways to ensure your remodel feels fresh now and endures gracefully over time. 1. Start with Function: A well-functioning home never goes out of style. Focus on how each space supports your daily life—from open layouts that encourage connection to smart storage that reduces clutter. Timeless design often starts with thoughtful planning, understanding how you use your home, and creating solutions that make everyday life easier. A functional home adapts effortlessly as your family, lifestyle, and needs evolve. 2. Use Classic Materials as Your Foundation: Materials like wood, stone, and tile have a lasting appeal that works with nearly any aesthetic. They pair beautifully with modern fixtures, bold patterns, or minimalist finishes, giving you the flexibility to shift your style over time. By establishing a neutral, durable foundation, you can confidently layer in trend-forward accents while keeping your overall design cohesive as styles change. 3. Choose a Versatile Palette: Color trends come and go, but balance lasts. Begin with a versatile palette of warm neutrals or soft tones that can adapt as your preferences evolve. Then bring in personality through artwork, textiles, and décor that can be refreshed without a major overhaul. A thoughtful palette makes your home feel harmonious and inviting while giving you the freedom to update accents with the seasons. 4. Mix Eras Thoughtfully: Blending modern and traditional design elements adds depth and character. Think clean-lined cabinetry paired with classic fixtures, or contemporary furniture softened by vintage-inspired textures. These contrasts create balance, helping your home feel both current and enduring rather than tied to one specific moment in design history. 5. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: When decisions are made with intention, less truly becomes more. Investing in durable materials, custom craftsmanship, and details that enhance comfort and longevity ensures your remodel will look and function beautifully for years. Prioritizing quality leads to long-term satisfaction over quick fixes and focuses your investment on what genuinely improves the way you live. When your home is grounded in thoughtful choices and quality design, it grows with you, reflecting who you are at every stage of life. If you’re ready to create a home that feels effortlessly lasting, the team at Synergy is here to help. Visit www.RenovateHappy.com/ or call 703-766-6333 to start the conversation.

Intelligence is often described as the ability to learn, reason, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in ourselves and in others. Over the past few decades, researchers and writers have made a strong case for why EQ can matter just as much as, and sometimes even more than, traditional IQ when it comes to things like school success, mental well-being, leadership, and positive relationships. Since the early 1990s—and especially after Daniel Goleman’s book “Emotional Intelligence” came out in 1995—many well-known authors, academics, and leadership experts have helped bring EQ into everyday conversation. While studies show that IQ is influenced heavily by genetics, EQ is shaped far more by our environment: the homes, schools, and community spaces where we grow up. Skills like empathy and regulating our emotions are learned, often by watching the adults around us. For many of us who grew up in or before the 1980s, talking openly about emotions wasn’t common. Our parents often didn’t have those conversations themselves. The good news is that EQ can be taught and strengthened at any age. Much of how we respond to emotions was learned early in life, but with awareness and practice, those patterns can change. Every interaction with someone who is feeling something strongly—whether a child, friend, partner, co-worker, or relative—gives us a chance to notice and improve our own EQ. Think about the last time someone expressed a big emotion in your presence. How did you respond? Did you take it personally, jump to problem-solving, try to smooth things over, feel overwhelmed, or offer comfort? Most of us fall back on the strategies we learned long ago, even if they no longer serve us well. Many people try to strengthen their EQ without even realizing it—by reading, listening to podcasts, talking with other parents, or seeking guidance from teachers, pediatricians, or therapists. A supportive counseling relationship can also provide a place to learn and practice new skills. With self-awareness and a willingness to reflect on where our habits came from, we can all grow in this area. And when we do, we not only feel more grounded ourselves—we also show up in more thoughtful and supportive ways for the people in our lives. Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays! Psych’d to see you next YEAR! Happy 2026! -Dr. S. Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood is a longtime Clinical Psychologist in Reston/Herndon. To learn more, please visit her website at www.oakhillpsychological.com/ Please visit the About Us section on our website to learn more about our team of therapists!

by Gwyn Whittaker, Owner of GreenFare When Dillon, my Shetland Sheepdog, stopped eating, it was very worrisome. For him, eating meant things were good; when he stopped, it usually signaled that something was wrong. The natural reaction of veterinarians is often to address the symptom by prescribing an appetite stimulant. While that might have made him eat, it wouldn’t have addressed the root cause of why he suddenly lost interest in food. Animals, it turns out, instinctively understand something we are only beginning to appreciate about autophagy—the body’s accelerated healing process that occurs under certain types of stress. In this case, the stress is the absence of food. Because digestion uses a large share of the body’s energy, giving the system a rest can allow it to focus on repair. This is part of the growing interest in intermittent fasting: fewer meals mean more time for the body to “clean house.” Autophagy is essentially the body’s housekeeping, activated by things like fasting, exercise, and exposure to hot and cold temperatures. In the Netflix series “You Are What You Eat,” the topic is discussed by Christopher Gardner, M.D., of Stanford University in the context of promoting longevity. Periods of famine can have dramatic benefits; for example, a 30-day water fast is routinely used at the TrueNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, California, where some chronic conditions have been shown to improve. In that medical setting, stopping food intake is used to stimulate autophagy—the breakdown of aging or damaged cellular components and the generation of new, healthy ones. After a weeklong water fast, my own long-term knee pain disappeared and has not returned. The benefits of exercise are widely known; even a daily half-hour walk has been linked to increased lifespan. Autophagy plays a role here, too, in everything from improving metabolic health and reducing inflammation to slowing aspects of aging. Many cultures also embrace the health effects of temperature extremes. In Scandinavian countries, people routinely move between ice baths and hot springs or saunas as part of their wellness habits. I was in Africa last month for several weeks, and midway through the trip, about six of us developed food poisoning, likely from contaminated water used to wash uncooked produce. One woman ended up in the hospital, and another had a severe reaction to an antibiotic. I chose to fast, drink water, and rest. After two solid days of sleep, I emerged feeling fine. The absence of food had given my body time to heal itself. It remains striking that animals know to stop eating when they are sick. Today, we have science that helps explain why that instinct is often a wise one.

by Victoria Stacy, Kids' Section Co-Editor As winter approaches and the days grow shorter, people around the world celebrate with light. Many cultures have stories and holidays that use light to express courage, love, hope, and peace. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that remembers a special event from long ago. After a difficult period in history, the Jewish people rededicated their Temple in Jerusalem. They had only a small amount of oil to keep the Temple lamp burning for one night, but the light stayed lit for eight. Because of this, families today light a menorah for eight evenings to celebrate hope and the belief that light can endure even in dark times. In South Asia and many other places, people celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali has different stories in Hindu, Sikh, and Jain traditions, but all honor the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families place small clay lamps called diyas around their homes, make colorful decorations, share sweets, and enjoy time together as they welcome new beginnings. Kwanzaa, created in 1966, is a celebration that honors African and African American culture. During the seven days of Kwanzaa, families reflect on seven important principles, such as unity, creativity, and working together. Each night, a candle on the kinara is lit, reminding everyone to take pride in their heritage and to help build strong, caring communities. In many Arab and Muslim communities, Ramadan is celebrated with bright, colorful fanoos lanterns. This tradition began hundreds of years ago in Egypt. Today, lanterns hang in homes, stores, and streets. Their warm glow reminds families of joy, generosity, and the special togetherness felt during evening meals after a day of fasting. Christmas is celebrated by many people around the world as a time of compassion, generosity, and peace. Its origins come from the nativity story, which tells of the birth of Jesus. Families today celebrate in many ways—decorating trees, giving gifts, and filling their homes with lights. These traditions encourage kindness, goodwill, and time spent with loved ones throughout the season. Together, these celebrations show that light is more than something that brightens a room; it shines in our friendships, our families, and our communities.

by Alexis Estep, mom, chef, Restonian The Estep Kids (Quinn, Mailin, Leif and Lars) think the bark tastes better when made wearing matching Grinch jammies! Photo by Alexis Estep December brings cool, crisp air and wonderful holidays to celebrate the warmth of the season. No matter which holiday you celebrate, this is a time of year to show the people around you how much they mean to you. And what better way is there than to cook, bake or make something? I love giving homemade gifts; a special amount of love goes into creating something for someone else. Whether a handmade card/picture or a treat you baked, the recipient feels the love. Use the spirit of the season to get creative; no gift is too small when you make it by yourself. Enjoy this simple recipe for Peppermint Bark, an easy to make, giftable snack anyone will appreciate! (Adapted from Ree Drummond, “The Pioneer Woman”) Ingredients 16 oz. white chocolate, chopped 3 drops food-grade peppermint oil or extract 3/4 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies 2 tbsp holiday colored sprinkles 3/4 cup pretzels, chopped Directions: Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Place the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan with a few inches of simmering water over low heat (do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water). Gently melt the white chocolate, stirring occasionally, until only a few lumps remain, about 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave at 30-second intervals until a few lumps remain. Remove from the heat and stir until completely smooth. Stir in the peppermint oil. Pour the white chocolate onto the lined baking sheet, smoothing it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with the crushed candy, sprinkle, and pretzels. Let set at room temperature (if the room is cool) or in the refrigerator, 1 to 2 hours. Once the bark has completely hardened, break it into pieces. Gift in a tin or decorative plastic bag.

by Victoria Stacy, Kids' Section Co-Editor Imagine if life came with a magical pause button—not to stop time, but to give you a moment to breathe when things get tough. When a project goes wrong, someone says something hurtful, or your day suddenly feels upside down, wouldn’t it be nice to step back for just a moment? The good news is that you already have that button. It’s called mindfulness. Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening right now—inside your mind and body—without pushing anything away or clinging too tightly. Think of it as turning on a tiny flashlight that helps you notice the present moment. One of the most powerful lessons mindfulness teaches is this: it’s not the events in our lives that cause distress; it’s our reaction to them. For example, two people can experience the same situation, like losing a soccer game, and feel completely different about it. The event is the same, but their reactions differ. Our thoughts and feelings shape how we experience each moment. This is where the pause comes in. By practicing a pause—taking one slow breath before reacting—we create a small space. In that space, we can step back and see the moment with fresh eyes. It’s almost like watching a scene in a movie instead of being trapped inside it. Suddenly, we’re the audience, not the actor who has to react immediately. And from this calmer, wider perspective, something amazing happens: we can choose our next move. Maybe we choose patience instead of frustration. Maybe curiosity instead of anger. Maybe just one more breath before saying something we don’t mean. With each choice, we become the authors of our own story. Mindfulness doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly. Life is full of surprises, challenges, messy moments, and big feelings. But with mindfulness, we don’t let those moments write our whole story. We decide what happens next. Try the Mindful Pause: When something stressful or surprising happens, take these steps: Pause. Stop just for a moment. Breathe. Slow in…slow out. Notice. What’s happening? What are you feeling? Choose. What do you want the next part of your story to be? Every moment is a new page. And with mindfulness, you have the power to write a story that feels calm, thoughtful, and true to who you are.

by Matt Reider, Staff Writer Rivals Seahawks and Hornets square up for a competitive match in the VA State Regional Tournament. Photo by Matt Reider Although Boys Volleyball has returned as a varsity sport at South Lakes High School for only two years, the traditional rivalry with nearby Herndon remains strong. The two teams met Nov. 6 in the first round of the Virginia State Regional Tournament, Class 6, Region D. South Lakes finished the season with a 16-8 overall record and was second in the Concorde District at 8-4. Herndon also finished 16-8 but placed third in the Liberty Region with a 3-4 record. The game was hosted at South Lakes, which had defeated Herndon 3-1 in a late-September matchup. Herndon, however, came in as the more established team, led by nine seniors including Max McDermott, who averaged 3.4 kills per set, and Rafael Baez, who totaled 31 blocks. Senior Mason Harris led Herndon in service aces with 59 for the season. South Lakes’ leaders included seniors Shaheer Salarzai, Andrei Saycon, and Micah Capati. Capati earned all-district honors, along with sophomore Younus Quraishi and junior Anand Gautham, who was named Libero of the Year. With the schools only eight miles apart, both teams enjoyed strong fan support, and the crowd witnessed an exciting contest. South Lakes led the first set the entire way, winning 25-20. In the second set, Herndon surged to a 12-8 lead before a South Lakes timeout sparked a brief comeback, closing the gap to 22-19. Herndon secured the set, tying the match at one apiece, and dominated the third set 25-14. The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle, with ties at 18, 21, and 22 points. South Lakes edged ahead 24-22 after a decisive cross-court serve from Xander Holmes and captured the set to force a fifth and final set. The fifth set was tense. Herndon led early, 4-1, before South Lakes fought back to 5-4. The lead changed hands several times, with neither team able to pull away. Herndon finally took control late, scoring four of the final five points to win 15-14 and advance in the playoffs. For South Lakes’ seniors, the loss was emotional. They were pioneers in reviving a sport that returned to varsity status after a 20-year absence and represented their school with distinction. Herndon and its fans celebrated their hard-fought victory, although the following week they fell to McLean, 3-0. Both schools demonstrated skill, determination, and competitive spirit. With such close matches and impressive seasons, this rivalry shows no signs of slowing down.

by Varun Phadke, Student Writer Makhai Ramos heads down the court during the South Lakes home opener on Dec. 1. Photo by Varun Phadke As the Winter season begins, the Seahawks return to Wendell G. Byrd Gymnasium with a new group of players ready to step into bigger roles. After significant talent graduating from last year's squad, this season's group faces the challenge, and opportunity, of carrying forward the program's reputation as back-to-back state champs. The South Lakes High School boys varsity basketball team started off strong on Monday, Dec. 1, with a season-opening victory over the West Potomac Wolverines. This win marks a promising start for the Seahawks. One standout performer during Monday’s matchup was No. 15, freshman David Landeryou, who had been playing on the ninth grade team just a week ago. Thrown into varsity action, Landeryou made an immediate impact, playing a major role in leading the team to victory. “It was a big jump, but that's what the coaches expected when they brought me up; they expected me to be a leader,” he said. Landeryou had a major hustle play in the first quarter, forcing a turnover when a Wolverine player jogged to retrieve a loose ball thinking it was uncontested. Catching the opponent off guard, Landeryou stole the ball and finished with an underhand layup. “Right when I saw him jogging, my first thought was, ‘go get it,’” he said. Head Coach Mike Desmond said the first game unfolded as expected, given the team's youth, first-game nerves, and inevitable early season mistakes. Still, encouraged by the positive aspects of the game, he said, “The guys showed a lot of mental toughness to not let the ups and downs hurt them, and we played great defense to get the win.” With many players young or inexperienced at the varsity level, he emphasized that practice and repetition will play a key role in shaping this year's group. “This group gets to take their time to grow as a unit,” he said, adding that the goal is to become a strong and respectable contender by the time district play comes around, and that every team is different.

by Matt Reider, Staff Writer South Lakes 'Seahucks' ultimate frisbee team celebrates their win. Photo by Matt Reider Fifteen members of the South Lakes High School Ultimate Frisbee team, known as the Seahucks, spent the first weekend in November competing in New Jersey at the 17th annual DEVYL Ultimate Coconut Classic. This marked the team’s first travel tournament outside Virginia. The Ultimate Coconut Classic began in 2007 as a one-day, three-team event and has grown steadily, with the tournament canceled only in 2012 due to SuperStorm Sandy and in 2020 due to COVID-19. This year, 32 teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., participated, including 24 open teams and eight girls-only teams. Games were played over two days on 18 fields at Turkey Swamp Park and Milestone Park. On Nov. 1, South Lakes competed in Pool E against Westfields High School, Whitman (Bethesda, Md.), and Watchung Hills (New Jersey). After defeating their longtime rivals at Westfields, the Seahucks cruised past Whitman 13-3 and Watchung Hills 13-2, finishing the first day undefeated. Ultimate Frisbee emphasizes more than just the score through its “Spirit of the Game” philosophy. Opponents assign each team a “Spirit Score” from 1 to 5, with 3 indicating respect toward opponents, officials, and spectators, and 5 reserved for rare, exceptional displays of sportsmanship. “The purpose of a Spirit Score is to determine how well the team followed the basic understanding of the game, which is to be spirited and have fun,” Team Captain Jackson Snell explained. Spirit Scores are tracked separately from game points, allowing teams to earn recognition for sportsmanship even if they don’t win. South Lakes continued their dominance on Nov. 2, defeating Bethesda-Chevy Chase 13-8 and closing out their weekend against J.R. Masterman in a dramatic final game. The match came down to “Universe Point,” ultimate frisbee’s sudden-death overtime rule. With the score tied at 12-12 at the end of regulation, a key block by Zane Mott kept the Seahucks in the game. After a strategic timeout by coach Eric Miner, South Lakes scored the decisive point to win 14-13, completing an undefeated tournament run. Jackson described the moment as “an amazing feeling…we all celebrated winning our final game in overtime.” Jackson hopes the experience will strengthen the team in future competitions. “Going to a travel tournament allowed us to grow as a team and become more competitive. Spending a whole weekend together really builds connections and team chemistry, and it’s fun for everybody.” Lessons from the trip are expected to benefit South Lakes in upcoming local and state tournaments, including an invite-only tournament in Arlington next March featuring teams from across the Eastern Seaboard.

by Julie Kessel of Albert Einstein High School "A Monster Calls" company creates a human tree. Photo by Jennifer Heffner, East 27 Creative "The yew tree is a healing tree," able to cure grievous ills. However, in South Lakes High School's production of “A Monster Calls,” its power might not be enough to heal the wounds that grief can rend. “A Monster Calls” is a play based on the novel of the same name, conceptualized by Siobhan Dowd and written by Patrick Ness. South Lakes' version of the show was devised by director Michael Viola and the company, taking inspiration from a previous professional production while collaborating to create something wholly unique. The play follows Conor, a young boy whose mother is battling cancer. At night, a monster visits him, telling three tales before demanding to hear a fourth one whose truth forces Conor to confront everything he's been hiding from. As the titular Monster, Liam Birch commanded the stage as a captivating storyteller. Birch's menacing growl and booming voice, alongside a stalking walk and intense facial expressions, fully encapsulated the inhuman aspects of the character, while his strong and rooted posture grounded him in reality. However, as the story entered the fourth tale and the monster began to comfort Conor (Jahlil Greene), Birch's posture softened, and his voice and facial expressions became solemn and kind. The Monster's clear character shift impressively matched the change in the play's tone from fantastical to raw and devastating. Greene's Conor portrayed a masterful emotional arc over the course of the play. His initially suppressed emotions as he tried to deny his grief shockingly contrasted with his breakdown at the end of Act 1. Unrestrained movements, a feral yell, and devastating expressions combined to echo the utter destruction Conor left in his wake. Greene's relationship with his mother, played by Sitina Tochterman, was equally moving. Their tender expressions, relaxed body language, and soft voices made the pair's interactions paint a touching picture of a tight-knit mother-son relationship. Further, Greene's guttural cry upon losing her brought the audience to tears, as did Tochterman's emotionally delivered final message to her son. The core ensemble of “A Monster Calls” was the beating heart of the show. With seamless set changes, where they artfully arranged the many hanging ropes that made up the simplistic set (created by Grace Gibbens, Ellah Skoy, and the “A Monster Calls” Scenic Design and Construction Crew), and delicate dancing, the ensemble was consistently engaged. Their stillness and stoic expressions when creating captivating tree-like tableaus were breathtaking, while their superb characterization and smooth movements brought each of the monster's tales to life. “A Monster Calls’”choreography, created by Sitina Tochterman, Jahlil Greene, and Hudson Koonce, was particularly effective. While an enthralling contemporary style was used throughout most of the show, ingenious fight choreography provided a striking contrast. The ensemble's sharp movements were perfectly coordinated with each other and the accompanying music (by Brooklyn Whyte and the “A Monster Calls” Sound Crew), whose fast pace heightened the tension of the scene. Further, red side lighting and strobe effects (by Alexandra Farrell, Eamon O'Leary, Sebastian Harman, and the “A Monster Calls” Lighting Crew) enhanced the violent atmosphere. The addition of projections, with animations created by Taylor Clawson and design and editing by Emilie Fiske and Isabelle Philippe, amplified the surreal quality of the show, especially through the psychedelic images used in the dream sequences. Every story has meaning, and South Lakes' wild and heart-wrenching production of "A Monster Calls” was no different. Once unleashed, this story provided pure catharsis for the audience, making them question the difference between good and evil while helping them accept, just a bit more, the powerful nature of grief.

by McAllister Pearce-Bliney, Student Writer Austin Hamilton has taken over at the helm for the Hornets varsity basketball team. Photo by Karl Majer There’s plenty of buzz in the Hornets Nest as the Herndon boys basketball team begins its season under new Head Coach Austin Hamilton. But the gym is hardly new territory for him. The 2011 Herndon graduate was a first-team all-state and all-metro selection, scored more than 1,000 career points, and helped lead the Hornets to their first district title during his senior year. His standout high-school career took him to Elon University, where he played at the collegiate level. Hamilton says his biggest influence growing up was NBA star Allen Iverson. “He had the swagger and toughness that I resonated with, especially as a smaller guard,” he said. His older brothers—Walter, Brandon, and Marshall—also played a major role by introducing him to the sport and teaching him the fundamentals that shaped him as a player. What motivated him to return to Herndon as head coach was simple: his love for the community. “I love the Herndon community first and foremost. It truly is a special place,” Hamilton said. “I’ve always had a passion for teaching the game and helping young athletes become better players and better people. There’s no place I’d rather be coaching than Herndon High School.” The town supported him as a player, and he sees this new role as a way to give back. Now in his first season as a head coach, Hamilton embraces the challenge and the chance to lead the school he once called home. He believes this year’s team has the grit, work ethic, and determination to reach its goals—including winning the district. Players say he brings renewed energy and joy to the program. When asked what a successful season looks like beyond wins and losses, Hamilton was clear: “Having a memorable experience for the players, fans, and everyone associated with the program is what I hope this year brings.” He also stresses that Herndon Basketball should unite the school and wider community. Off the court, he expects his players to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, graduate on time, and give back through service—showing that the program values character as much as athletic ability. Hamilton and his brothers also founded The Goods Basketball, an organization focused not only on developing basketball skills, but also on teaching life lessons. It’s another sign of his commitment to the community where he grew up.