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Photos by Isadora Guerreiro and Reston/Herndon community members South Lakes and Herndon High School seniors walked in th their grauation commencement cermonies on June 5 and June 7 at George Mason's Eagle Bank Arena. As part of both schools' traditions, graduates visit their elementary students in their caps and gowns a few days before graduation.

Contributed by Aldrin Elementary PTA photos by AES Shane Wolfe  of Aldrin Elementary School received the VA PTA Principal Partner of the Year at the group's May 19 annual meeting . Earlier in the month, he was recognized by the Fairfax County Council, who put his name forward. Principal Wolfe's collaborative approach has boosted parent engagement and created a stronger school community.  From hosting ice cream socials to cultural and heritage nights, book fairs, family reading nights, career day, and Bingo, Principal Wolfe's warm and welcoming attitude has engaged families in school activities. The Aldrin Reads initiative, where staff bring books, snacks, and activities to the community twice a year, has filled students’ homes with libraries and spread the love of reading.Wolfe has spent nearly his entire administrative career in the Herndon/Reston area, beginning as Assistant Principal at Terraset and Armstrong elementary schools.  At the time of his appointment to Armstrong, he was the youngest principal in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Following his six-year tenure as Principal at Armstrong, Wolfe accepted a position as Principal at Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences in Falls Church. He returned to Aldrin as Principal in July 2012.

By Chuck Cascio, Author and Former South Lakes Teacher Ethan Goldman established the television and film production company Anchor Entertainment six years ago, and he proudly refers to his company’s Mission Statement that says, in part, “We foster an inclusive, family-first work environment that reflects a wide range of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds; all supported by our firm belief that mutual respect is an integral part of any successful endeavor.”  The 1992 South Lakes High School graduate attributes those thoughts to values he learned growing up in Reston. “Robert E. Simon’s vision was to build a community where people of all backgrounds could come together and celebrate who they are,” Ethan says. “From my own personal experience, it not only worked, it thrived. Those values taught me about the power of diversity – racially, religiously, and socioeconomically – as well as the importance of community involvement. Those are core tenets of Anchor Entertainment.” With more than 25 years in the television and film industry, during which he worked with programs that were produced on MTV, Discovery, Bravo, and many other networks, Ethan’s ambition always was to help produce meaningful shows. Some of the important transitional works he helped develop occurred during his internship with documentary filmmaker David Sutherland. “He was producing a multi-part documentary for Frontline (PBS) called ‘The Farmer’s Wife’ about a family in Nebraska facing foreclosure of their farm due to economic hardship,” Ethan says. “Even though I was just logging and transcribing countless hours of interviews, it was a really rewarding experience, and instrumental in guiding my decision years later to pursue a career in documentary storytelling.” Ethan emphasizes that being raised in Reston, where his family moved from Boston in 1978, contributed significantly to his career path, and he still reflects on the “many fond memories of growing up in Reston – from competing in swim meets for Upland, to lifeguarding and playing youth basketball and soccer in the community leagues. Reston was an ideal place to grow up.” Anchor’s developmental approach and quality of its stories has resulted in numerous awards including, in part, a Realscreen Award for the series, “The Lost Kitchen;”   two  Telly Awards for Best Documentary and Best History Series; an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary for the MSNBC series, “Model America,” as well as recently being named one of the world’s Top 10 Factual Production Companies by Realscreen as part of its “Global 100” list. Anchor’s latest feature documentary, “Rather,” about the life of legendary newsman Dan Rather, can be seen on Netflix. “We believe in the power of storytelling to unite, not divide,” Ethan says. “So much of what we do is about fostering community in the workplace at Anchor offices, among our industry colleagues with whom we collaborate, and with the audiences to whom we deliver these carefully crafted stories.”  Making an impact continues to be Ethan’s major objective. “My goal is to get involved with projects I care about deeply. Whatever I do has to be worth the emotional and financial investment. Each project is a massive time commitment, so I do everything I can to ensure that Anchor’s projects are ones that we are excited about spending the next two to four years making.”

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer photo by RES Children's Center Pomposa Ferrer, affectionately known as “Miss Pompeii” at the Robert E. Simon Jr. Children’s Center, is set to retire in July. Why now, after more than 60 years in education? “Because I’m 84 years old today,” she shared on May 23, eager to embrace the next chapter. Ferrer’s journey began in the Philippines, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Far Eastern University, and a master’s in education with an emphasis in school administration and supervision at Ateneo de Manilla University.  Her illustrious career has included serving as a diplomat for the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs as well as teaching children of all ages wherever she has lived – in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the U.S., including California, North Carolina, and Virginia. She also dedicated 14 years to teaching adults in ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] classes in Herndon, Chantilly, and Centreville.  As part of the 28-member Philippine School Association, Ferrer established schools in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. She directed the Saudi school for eight years, handing it over to the community in 1989. Since its 1994 establishment, the Philippine School Bahrain has educated the kindergarten through 12th grade children of the kingdom’s overseas Filipino workers. Ferrer’s first-grade teacher, Mrs. Garin, kindled her passion for teaching, instilling in her a love for school, teaching, and children. In addition to catching up on her reading and travel, Ferrer intends to continue her work with the Bahrain school as a member of the Handmaids of the Lord ministry. “We’re  helping more than 200 very poor children go to school,” she said. “I’ll visit rather than live there,” she explained. Her granddaughter, a doctor in the Philippines, carries on her legacy, “helping the poorest of the poor.”  Miss Pompeii also plans to drop by the Simon Center occasionally, knowing she’ll miss the children. Leila Kaszubinski, the Simon Center director who has known her since 2004, praised her as “an amazing teacher and a terrific person,” adding that “Miss Pompeii will be missed more than words can express.”  “We have known for over a year that she would be retiring, but it was still bittersweet when she handed in her written notice,” Kaszubinski said. “We all wish her the best in her retirement.”

By Sarah Golden, Staff Writer It’s no secret that local police were in their community’s metaphorical “hot seat” in the past few years. As a result, the Reston station, with the help of community leaders, brought back the Community Advisory Committee [CAC], a forum where Restonians can hear information about their community’s crime and safety levels, and police can take that “hot seat” to address community concerns.  A recent CAC meeting at the Reston Station kicked off with a few housekeeping items, a segment marketing an upcoming event, and a brief overview of the Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel from its liaison Craig Miles. The well-presented information spoke to the committee’s commitment to transparency.  Police Major Mohammed Oluwa presented some recent crime statistics, including a mini crime spree that resulted in an arrest, and an update on the increase in motor vehicle larceny (Restonians, remember to lock your car doors ! ) Major Oluma opened the floor to community questions. For the next hour or so, citizens engaged in open conversations with local police leadership, sharing specific concerns about things going on in their community – like noisy mufflers and unsafe crosswalks. Major Oluwa appeared to be aware of these situations,and shared details of how he and his team are working behind the scenes to address them.  The session also provided insight into some of the bureaucratic elements of police work – such as connecting with third parties like VDOT to coordinate speed limit adjustments.  Asked about topics he would welcome discussing at upcoming CAC meetings, Major Oluwa said that everything is on the table, and that what concerns the people of Reston concerns him as well. The CAC provides an opportunity for Restonians to foster greater engagement with the men and women that keep them safe. The next meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, in the Lake Anne Reston Community Center. It will feature a presentation by Fairfax County Detective Brian Kalf from the Cyber and Forensic Bureau.  To get more information on the CAC or updates on future meetings, request to be added to the distribution list by emailing the CAC’s Vice Chairperson John Pinkman at CACvicechair2@gmail.com .

Contributed by Friends of the Reston Regional Library Reston Regional Library still expects a new building in the coming years. However, due to various delays, the county will make some interim upgrades to the current building, which will require the branch to close for the summer. The last day of service will be Friday, June 28. After construction begins, the building will be closed into September. The current estimate is 10 weeks, but no end date has been set. Library Wi-Fi will still be available to patrons outside the building, but they must stay outside of fenced off construction areas, including the parking lot. The branch was built in 1985. A bond to support a new building was approved in 2012, but has not yet been utilized. Renovations will include health and safety updates affecting the public restrooms, lighting, and other fixtures. According to the County, “…this brief and necessary refresh will… ensure that it remains usable, clean, and safe for the duration of the building’s lifespan.” Reston staff will temporarily transfer to other branches. As always, any Fairfax County Public Library cardholder can check out and return materials at any branch, and participate in programs at any branch. Patrons accustomed to picking up holds in Reston should ask a librarian for help changing their preferred branch for pickup. The Friends of the Reston Library book donations, as well as August and September book sales are canceled. There will be a Puzzle Sale in October and a Holiday Sale in December; donations can be taken to Herndon-Fortnightly, Great Falls, or Oakton branches. For information about Reston Regional Library construction, visit the FCPL website:   https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional . For information about the Friends of the Library, visit:   www.RestonLibraryFriends.com .

Contributed by family Irma Miller Finn Brosseau, former executive director and CEO of The National Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW), died peacefully at her home in Reston, VA, on April 15, 2023. Irma died at the age of 92 of dementia after living a full and happy life. She was preceded in death by her beloved son Jonathan Finn, her husband George Brosseau, her ex-husband David Finn, her parents Alfreda Dyer (Lee) and Harry Miller, and a large extended family. She is survived by her adoring daughters Hester Finn and Sarah (Steve) Ramos; granddaughter Daniella Ramos; stepdaughters Carole Stokes (Mike) and Catherine Brosseau (Frank Applestein); granddaughter Becca Rinas; grandson Ethan Stokes; and former stepson-in-law Mark Rinas. Irma was born in Boston, MA on September 4, 1930, and grew up on the rocky beaches of Winthrop, MA, surrounded by her close extended family. She graduated from Simmons College with a BS in Journalism in 1952. Early in her career, she worked for the Houghton Mifflin publishing company and for newspapers in Boston, Anchorage, AK and, finally, Reston, where she raised her three children. From 1977 to 1987, she proudly worked her way up from Program Director to Executive Director and CEO of BPW in Washington, DC. She was a passionate feminist and was a pivotal person in the early years of the women's movement.   Irma and her late husband George founded The Brosseau Group, a management consulting business that specialized in working with boards of directors of nonprofit organizations. Irma was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1984 from Hawthorne College in Antrim, NH and was the 1987 recipient of the Simmons College Alumnae Achievement Award. In the early 1960s, Irma and her first husband were founding members of Temple Beth Shalom in Anchorage. She was also one of the founders of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, where she continued her spiritual growth while retaining her Jewish roots.   Irma was fortunate to follow her passion of writing starting as a young girl with diaries continuing through adulthood with journals and culminating with her two-volume memoir.  What a gift this was.   Throughout her long and fulfilling life, Irma always maintained her core values: motherhood, family, close friendships, and forming treasured connections with others. She was an amazing woman, the best Mom and Bubbe, and her sweet, engaging, beautiful presence is deeply missed by all who knew her.   Visitation with the family was held April 18-19, 2023 at the Ramos home and a memorial service was held on June 17, 2023 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston.

Photo by Isadora Guerreiro On Saturday, May 18, John Lovaas received recognition for serving as manager of the Reston Farmers Market manager for 26 years. Lovaas started the market on a spring Saturday in 1998 when Reston’s founder Robert E. Simon and Del. Ken Plum joined him for the official opening. This year it was Supervisor Alcorn who officially honored Lovaas by reading a proclamation and presenting Lovaas with a plaque. The proclamation focused on all Lovaas has done over the years and ended with:  "Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on behalf of all Fairfax County residents, does hereby thank John Lovaas for his contributions to the community and outstanding stewardship of the Reston Farmers Market."

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer Louise Seirmarco-Yale stands as a beacon in the world of visual arts, celebrated for her dedication to both creating and teaching art.  Seirmarco-Yale knew she wanted to be an artist since she was a child. She pursued her passion conscientiously, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art at Michigan State University and a master of fine arts in art history, with a minor in higher education, at Western Michigan University.  Her professional career as a painter began in 1976. “ My paintings reflect my interest in people,” she said. “From single line drawings to 12-foot stretched canvases, I have portrayed attitudes of people and their place in our natural world all my life. I like to express the 'feel' of things and communicate that to the viewer.” Thirty years ago, from her Reston home studio, Seirmarco-Yale sold more than 1,000 paintings within a single decade. Her work is always evolving in terms of subject matter, technique, and materials. She may add texture with unlikely natural items – like a shed snakeskin or a discarded wasp’s nest, or use old cigar boxes or wooden roof shingles as the basis for her creations. Her current inventory exceeds 3,000 pieces. Seirmarco-Yale’s passion for art extends beyond her own creations. Early in her career, she taught drawing and painting techniques, as well as art theory and criticism at community colleges. In her subsequent role as Director of the Toledo Museum of Arts’ Docent Educational Program, she equipped volunteer guides with the skills to make art accessible and engaging for all visitors.  As a testament to Seirmarco-Yale’s conviction that art should be inclusive and accessible, she recently published “Art, You Be the Judge: Reawaken Your Instinct and Enjoy Art on Your Own Terms.” The book guides readers to overcome their insecurities about appreciating art; its insightful exercises encourage them to reconnect with their inner creative voices and embrace their unique perspectives on art.  Beginning in this issue, The Reston Letter will feature Seirmarco-Yale’s insights in a monthly column that will bring her expertise and enthusiasm directly to our readers.

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer photos by Ellen R.B. Smith Ellen R.B. Smith hasn’t always gotten in good trouble. The neophyte author is living proof that growing up in an affluent D.C. suburb like Reston does not ensure a perfect childhood. Fortunately, in her case, Smith maintains, her hometown’s founding principles shaped her values and influenced her development into responsible adulthood. Smith’s book, “Memoirs of a Suburban Troublemaker,” documents how – mostly because of her parents’ divorce – “my childhood went from idyllic to completely chaotic, seemingly overnight,’ she wrote. “I went from being a child who respected authority and followed the rules to someone who was in constant trouble – for misbehaving, for poor grades, for drinking, for using drugs, and for fighting.” It also describes how she turned her life around, and became a mature woman “on a lifelong quest to end racism and antisemitism.” Writing the book, Smith said, “has served as both a cathartic outlet and a tool for self-discovery during a year of deep reflection on my purpose.”  Helping others with similar challenges was another goal. ”I wanted to help kids and parents who might be going through something, or who didn’t always fit in, to feel less alone in the world,” she said. “My dream has been to write a book that takes people on a journey, to learn, laugh, cry, and reflect on their own life.” In addition, she said, “I want to make the world a better place for my children. “ Smith’s “penchant for journaling and preserving memories through photos and videos stems from a belief that nostalgia offers insights into life's meaning,” she explained.  After leaving her job as a principal recruiting strategist at Amazon, she set out to write her book, devoting eight to 16 hours a day to the task. “I poured as much effort into this book as I did to my work at Amazon. I feel like if you are going to do or make something, that’s a reflection of who you are. To truly make it great, you must dedicate the attention it deserves,” she said. Most of the writing took place in Smith’s home office, “Yet I consistently took notes irrespective of my location -- whether I was driving, watching TV or movies, listening to audiobooks, attending my children's sports practices, during my art lessons, and notably, even in the stillness of the night, a practice that became especially prevalent.” Smith thought big. She aspired to combine her story of growing up in South Reston with a history of “Virginia’s first open, integrated, and planned community,” she said. “I didn’t have confidence that my life story (alone) would be good enough, so I included Robert E. Simon and Reston’s history,” she said. Her pre-readers disagreed.  “After 175,000 words of this textbook-style writing, my pre-readers picked up on the fact that I’m not a historian, and they were skipping the parts about Reston and individual interview summaries, to get to my story.” An editor helped her streamline. While Smith deleted the Reston history, she maintains the area’s values helped her become the person she is today. “I was fortunate to grow up in Reston, a town that was literally created as a place of inclusion for all,” she said. “I truly believed in the peaceful, egalitarian lessons taught at Terraset Elementary School.” Smith remembers her kindergarten teacher playing the Marlo Thomas’ ‘Free to Be You and Me’ album for her class. “It fell directly in line with my view of Reston: where the ‘shining seas’ were manmade lakes, the ‘river running free was the creek behind our house, and the ‘green country’ was the 1,350 acres of open space that Reston’s founder and namesake Robert E. “Bob” Simon had set aside for its residents.” At the start of the book, the author noted, “This is a love letter to my family, friends, and hometown.” Pre-order a signed copy of Ellen R.B. Smith’s “Memoirs of a Suburban Troublemaker” at ellenrbsmith.com .

By Holly Weatherwax, Staff Writer photos by Benjamin Burgess Open since July 2006, the Cathy Hudgins Community Center [CHCC] at Southgate is a place for local residents of all ages to gather and participate in a variety of activities. Originally the Southgate Community Center, it was renamed in 2021 in honor of Hudgins, a long-serving Fairfax County Board Supervisor.  CHCC’s mission is to “bring people and resources together to strengthen the well-being of individuals and communities.” Since his arrival in 2008, Director Quincy L. Lewis has been working to expand the center’s outreach to all sectors of the community. Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) provides resources to CHCC, which, in turn, provides many free or reduced-cost programs. Some programs are family based, like the Reston Community Market Place (part of the Capital Area Food Bank program) that offers free fresh produce and protein to anyone who needs food assistance at 8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. A farmer’s market-style program provides fresh produce from 8 to 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Transportation to Target and Walmart are offered for $1. One of CHCC’s most active programs is the after-school program (weekdays, 3:30 to 6 p.m.) for grades one through six. It also offers coverage on teacher work-days with pre-registration. Students, most from nearby Dogwood Elementary, participate in Open Gym, Computer Clubhouse, or Youth Zone, which includes homework help. For teens, there’s Teen Open Gym, STEAM club ( Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) , Teen Zone, Clubhouse Homework Time, Teen Computer Clubhouse, as well as evening homework sessions. Teens can play indoor and outdoor sports, board, and video games, work on community service projects, cooking, and arts and crafts. The Tech Lab offers a drone program with competitions. There also are basketball and soccer leagues and an Inclusive Open Gym program for teens with disabilities. A teen summer program includes up to seven field trips. The CHCC Basketball team won the NCS Intramural Basketball Championship this May. BJ's restaurant in Vienna sponsored half the meals and drinks at the celebratory dinner in May. For adults, there are social time programs, computer skills classes, open gym, pickleball, ping pong ,and an Open Lab program that allows adults time to access the Internet and check email. There are also beginner level ESOL classes.  Families can take free  Zumba and Yoga classes, and take part in the National Night Out program in August. As part of a pilot program, the center provides transportation for seniors who participate in SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life) classes that work on strength and balance, or an Arthritis Class that helps build flexibility, range of motion, and strength. Other opportunities include a crocheting class, seated and standing Tai Chi, and games like Wheel of Fortune and Bingo. These activities are offered free for seniors who have an NCS Membership.  This summer, the center will hold a drive to collect 200 to 300 backpacks for local elementary, middle, and high school students. Check the website for offerings and opportunities: fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/cathy-hudgins-community-center ,  or call 703-860-0676 for information or to register.

By Laurie Dornak, Seahawks Sports Boosters photos by South Lakes Athletics and Beth Shaw Outstanding performances by South Lake High School students and student athletes on and off the field took place this school year. From the football program’s first 10-0 regular season to the girls indoor track and field and boys basketball VHSL Class 6 State championships, the Seahawks launched into the spring sports season with gusto, putting up another banner season in the regular and postseason. South Lakes Girls Lacrosse executed their most successful season in school history, finishing overall 15-6-1 and second in the Northern Region. The Seashawks finished with the most wins in school history and defeated Madison and Oakton for the first time in 25 years. Topping off that record, the Seahawks earned the program’s first Concorde District title since 1998 and VHSL Class 6 State tournament run. The Seahawks were Regional finalists and competed in the state quarterfinals for the first time ever.  South Lakes Boys and Girls Outdoor Track  teams continued their tradition of excellence and competitive successes during the regular season with many District, Regional, and State qualifiers early in the season, and setting new school, state and national records. The Seahawks sent 19 athletes to the Penn Relays for some national level competition, and the girls 4x800 relay team brought home a Penn Relay wheel for their third-place finish. The boys and girls teams finished strong, each with back-to-back Concorde District championships.The girls team brought home more hardware as Northern Region champions. Both teams sent strong teams to the VHSL Class 6 State meet where the girls finished third. These teams will be sending athletes to Nike Outdoor Nationals again this month to finish off an outstanding trio of cross-country and track and field seasons.  South Lakes Softball, under the leadership of third-year Head Coach Casey Shieda, put down a season of consistent results, advancing deep into the postseason and making the program’s first appearance in the VHSL Class 6 State tournament.  After demonstrating strong pitching and offense and a challenging defense, the Seahawks finished their season 16-11-1 overall.  A team with terrific chemistry, grit, and determination, a number of underclassmen stepped up this year, competed, and grew playing together. The Seahawks finished the Concorde District and Northern Region as finalists (to Madison in both tournaments). Playing in their first VHSL Class 6 State tournament, the Seahawks defeated Lake Braddock (2-0) in the quarterfinals, and competed in the semi-final game against Osbourn Park. Last week, VHSL announced the class 6 standings for the National Guard Cup (the Cup) which represents the best Virginia high schools have to offer in athletic and academic activities. First awarded in 1990, the Cup represents excellence with cups presented, one for academic activities and one for athletics in each of the VHSL’s six enrollment classifications. Winners in each class are those schools who have achieved the best overall record in VHSL state-level competition across the  27 sports and 12 academic activities – the state champions’ state champion.  Winners of the National Guard Cup are determined by a point system based on performance in VHSL state competitions which are awarded for all sanctioned sports, plus sportsmanship, and schools can earn academic activity points for outstanding participation in scholastic bowl, creative writing, theatre, forensics, debate, film festival, broadcast, newspaper, yearbook, and magazine.  As the spring state tournaments were beginning, South Lakes Athletics learned they were ranked first in class 6 with 135 points for the winter total and they hope to hold that position as they finish up the spring season.