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By Matt Reider, staff writer Reston Master Swim Team has thrived for 25 years under the leadership of Coach Frank Koval. Photo contributed by Reston Masters Swim Team The Reston Masters Swim Team brings together about 120 adult swimmers of all ages and abilities for four weekly practices focused on fitness, endurance and technique. Members train year-round at the Reston Community Center and in Reston outdoor pools during the summer. Founded in the mid-1970s, RMST operates under United States Masters Swimming and competes in local, regional, national and international meets. RMST has a strong record of success and sent 29 swimmers to the regional competition at George Mason University during the weekend of April 10. The team placed second among nearly 60 teams in the Colonies Zone, which stretches from Virginia to upstate New York and Maine. Nationals were held April 30 through May 3 in North Carolina, where the team finished 11th out of more than 250 teams from across the country. Like many adult sports organizations, RMST relies on experienced leadership. Coach Frank Koval has led the program for more than 25 years and has coached both youth and adult swim programs. Kim Brightwell, a longtime RMST swimmer, has known him for much of that time, dating back to their days swimming on early Reston teams. Brightwell specializes in the backstroke and has earned All-American honors in the 50- and 100-meter events. Brightwell praised Koval’s ability to unite swimmers of varying backgrounds and abilities. Participants range from triathletes to beginners and span ages 18 to 95. “The coach does a great job creating a team environment from a diverse group,” she said. “Masters swimming is a great place to interact with people across age groups.” She described meets as reunions where swimmers reconnect with longtime friends. Rob Stites, a seven-year member, competes on a successful relay team and continues working to improve his butterfly technique. After retiring a few years ago, he said swimming has helped him maintain his health. Tony Wynes has been with the club for 12 years and jokes that he “isn’t fast,” so he enters multiple events at meets to maximize points. Larry Paulson, a long-distance butterfly specialist, joined the team more than 20 years ago, while Margaret Shapiro competed professionally in triathlons before joining RMST. In addition to practices and meets, RMST organizes the Jim McDonnell Lake Swim, featuring 1- and 2-mile open-water races held each Memorial Day weekend. Lynn Hazelwood helped organize the first event in 1988 and remains involved today. “It was right around the time when triathlons were becoming popular, and we wanted to do an open-water swim,” she said. Hazelwood worked with the Reston Association to secure access to Lake Audubon and coordinate the race. With as many as 300 swimmers participating, safety remains a priority. Nearly 20 lifeguards and what Hazelwood described as “a small armada” of watercraft monitor the course, with assistance from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. The event is divided into categories based on swimsuit type, with Category I requiring specific swimwear and Category II being less restrictive. This year’s event took place May 24, and drew more than 100 swimmers in the Category II 1-mile race and nearly 100 more in the 2-mile event. Elizabeth Wood of Herndon won the Category I 1-mile race with a chip time of 23:32.2, while Bryan Rivera of Maryland won the Category II 1-mile race in 22:26.2. In the 2-mile races, Thomas Dion of Virginia led the Category I field with a chip time of 44:41.3, and Kempsey Clark of Maryland won the Category II race in 48:07.7. Although many participants came from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the event also attracted swimmers from Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The program welcomes new members, and interested adults may try two free practices before joining. More information is available through the Reston Masters Swim Team.

By Chuck Cascio, author and former South Lakes teacher The following information about Erika Reinfeld, a member of the South Lakes High School Class of 1997, is not AI-generated, though it may seem too good to be true. Erika is the public engagement officer for the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. Prior to that, she was a lecturer and Communication Lab manager for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering. Before that, she spent 10 years managing outreach programs at MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and three years as education coordinator at the MIT Museum. Her first job after college was as an education specialist for the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She is also an elected school committee member for Medford Public Schools in Massachusetts, and she and her wife have two children. With that background, it is not surprising that Erika says, “My big thing is interdisciplinary education, trying to make connections between different ways of thinking, which the world desperately needs right now. It’s where we make the most progress as a society.” Erika regularly promotes interdisciplinary thought and activity. At MIT, she is devoted to expanding connections among science, education and public discourse. “They all tend to get siloed, but astrophysics is an exciting field that combines physics, chemistry, math and computing, and there’s also room for art, culture and humanities,” she said. “I am inspired by how enthusiastic the astronomers I work with are about finding interesting ways to share what they love with the public.” Erika said the Reston community’s “live, work, play” motto “was well embedded in my 18 years growing up there.” At South Lakes, major influences on her thinking were class projects and enrichment activities she described as “extended learning opportunities that let us explore things beyond state standards and formal curricula. I really appreciate the ownership those experiences gave us. They helped me feel more confident, in direct contrast to how socially insecure I was.” Her appreciation of diverse areas of knowledge was fueled by many influences, but one she recalls fondly from South Lakes was when physics teacher Dr. Faruk El-Yussef “told me with absolute confidence that I would become ‘Dr. Erika’ and ‘take the physics world by storm someday.’” “I might not have become ‘Dr. Erika,’ but I did find my way back to physics. Astronomy, after all, is just physics in ‘de skies,’” she said with a chuckle. Erika’s wide-ranging background helped her realize that “I was never going to be happy just doing astrophysics. I need to engage other parts of my brain too. Living in Reston allowed me to explore multiple fields broadly and deeply, and what I want in my career and in life is to maintain that balance and to give other people, kids especially, those opportunities.” At MIT, Erika promotes exploration and learning in fields that may not immediately seem related. She and the astronomers she works with call astronomy a “gateway science” because, she said, “It is often people’s first entry point to STEM learning. Astrophysics is not an applied science that is necessarily going to impact people’s daily lives, but it offers inspiration and opportunities for critical thinking, which are both essential to positive engagement with the world.” Another major influence on Erika’s interest in connecting seemingly different aspects of life was the Reston Community Center Young Actors Theatre. “Being on stage, learning how to communicate in different ways, surrounding myself with creative people and seeing how teams work together to bring a project to life were skills that allowed me to build my career and my personal support network,” she said. “Being a camp counselor with Reston Association also helped me become a better leader and program developer more attuned to the wide range of students’ needs.” The importance of Erika’s work is evident as liberal arts increasingly become separated from the growing emphasis on technology and science. Erika is dedicated to demonstrating the importance of tying these seemingly different fields together. “I want to be a connector, bringing people and ideas together in ways that empower them,” she said. “I help my astronomers share their research with new audiences through things like planetarium shows and community events. As an elected official, I listen to what people in different parts of the school system are telling me about their experience and try to find common ground for improvements to policies and practices, structures that will allow us to customize learning experiences for every student.” Not surprisingly, Erika has even more plans. For the past year, she has been working to start the Medford School Arts Alliance, a nonprofit “friends” organization that supports visual and performing arts in and beyond the classroom. “Our driving goal is to give students positive experiences they might not otherwise have,” she said. “To me, the most rewarding moments are when someone tries something new and discovers something about themselves or the world that they maybe didn’t expect.”

By the Friends of the Reston Regional Library Staff at Reston Regional Library are all abuzz preparing for this year's Summer Reading Adventure. We caught up with the library's mascots, Beeatrix and Bobbee, to learn more about the program and what's happening at the library this summer. FRRL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Can you tell our readers a little about yourselves? Beeatrix: I'm Beeatrix, named after children's author Beatrix Potter. Bobbee: And I'm Bobbee, named after Reston founder Bob E. Simon. FRRL: For readers who can't see you right now, you're both bees. Beeatrix: We are. We've been the official mascots of Reston Regional Library for a couple of years. We think we were chosen because we love books almost as much as we love flowers. The staff has decorated the library with flowers, so it feels like home. We love seeing people check out books, attend programs, use the 3D printer and preserve family memories at the Memory Depot. There's always something happening here. FRRL: Tell us about the Summer Reading Adventure. We hear it has a paleontology and archaeology theme. Beeatrix: That's right. This year's theme is Unearth a Story™. Reading lets you dig into new ideas, places and people. You never know what you'll discover. FRRL: How does it work? Bobbee: Readers sign up, work toward reading goals and earn prizes. Local businesses have donated prize coupons, and participants can enter drawings for gift cards to Scrawl Books. FRRL: Can adults participate? Bobbee: Absolutely. Adults enjoy books, too, and they can earn prizes. The library is for everyone. FRRL: Are there special programs tied to the theme? Bobbee: Tons. There's the Subterranean Scavenger Hunt, Sew Your Own Dinosaur, Didgeridoo Down Under, the Really Big Dinosaur Puppet Show, Uno, Dos, Trés Andrés!, Ship Science and a Chinese dance performance. There's something for every age and interest. From Aug. 20-23, the Friends of the Library will host its Back-to-School Book Sale for children, teens and teachers. Summer readers can redeem coupons for free books during the sale. Then on Aug. 22, the library will celebrate with its End of Summer Reading and Back-to-School Bash, featuring crafts, music and family activities. Beeatrix: This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the library is celebrating all summer long. June's theme is Voices of Pride and Progress, July's is Celebrate Independence, and August's is Youth and Education in America. There's also a separate America 250 reading challenge. Participants can complete an America 250 Bingo board by reading, listening to books and taking part in activities. Those who fill an entire card will be entered into prize drawings, including a Kindle and LEGO sets. FRRL: It sounds like there's something for everyone this summer. Any final thoughts? Bobbee: We hope people get excited about reading and all the discoveries waiting for them. Every book has something new to reveal, just like every person has a story to tell. Beeatrix: People and bees.

by Taruna Rijhwani, Health Watchers PT Each summer, many people become more active and begin noticing aches and stiffness that were easy to ignore during colder months. It often starts with mild back tightness, knee pain or soreness after a long walk. But as activity increases through travel, golf, tennis, hiking or other outdoor recreation, those small discomforts can become more noticeable. According to mobility and rehabilitation specialists, the activity itself is not always the cause of the problem. More often, increased movement exposes underlying issues that may have developed gradually over time. Long flights, road trips, sightseeing and extended time on your feet can place added stress on the body, especially for adults who have spent much of the year in less active routines. Common complaints include lower back pain after travel, sciatica symptoms and knee discomfort during exercise or walking. Many people respond by reducing activity altogether. While temporary rest may ease symptoms, experts say avoiding movement for long periods can contribute to increased stiffness, weakness and reduced mobility. Instead, specialists recommend addressing the underlying causes of pain early before they begin limiting daily activities. For active adults, particularly those older than 40, treatment often focuses on identifying mobility restrictions, correcting strength imbalances and improving movement patterns. In some cases, modifying activities temporarily can help reduce strain while maintaining overall fitness. Health professionals say mobility plays a critical role in maintaining independence and quality of life. As pain or stiffness worsens, people often begin limiting activities gradually, avoiding longer walks, travel or recreational sports. Experts encourage people experiencing persistent discomfort to seek evaluation before symptoms interfere with summer plans and everyday movement. Many clinics offer introductory consultations or mobility assessments designed to identify potential problem areas and recommend treatment or exercise strategies. The goal, specialists say, is not simply pain reduction but helping people stay active, travel comfortably and continue participating in the activities they enjoy. Health Watchers Physical Therapy & Wellness offers a complimentary Discovery Visit to help identify the root cause of aches or stiffness and give you a clear plan to stay active and pain-free this summer. Call or text 571-308-8252 to schedule.

Contributed by RCC The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Reston Community Center and the Fairfax County Park Authority in May. The proclamation highlighted RCC’s leadership in helping residents of all ages build confidence, prevent accidents and stay safe in and around the water. “Water safety is not a seasonal effort,” RCC Aquatics DirectorMcCall told the Board. “RCC, along with the Park Authority, strengthens water safety across the county–from well-managed facilities to shared standards of excellence in aquatics programming and public education. Together, we are building a safer, more prepared community.” RCC’s Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center, located at RCC Hunters Woods, offers programs that help children, teens, adults and older adults gain skills that support safety, wellness and confidence in the water. From beginner swim instruction to advanced lifeguard certification, RCC provides residents with opportunities to learn techniques that prevent emergencies and save lives. RCC’s Aquatics Department has a broad community impact: RCC offers approximately 80 weekly group learn-to-swim classes and more than 2,000 private lessons annually, to help children, teens and adults become safer, more confident swimmers. Each summer, RCC provides free beginner swimming lessons for children, expanding access to lifesaving skills. Adapted aquatics offers year-round, individualized instruction for children and adults with physical or learning disabilities, providing accessible water safety education and specialized support. RCC’s aqua aerobics program offers 26 classes each week, helping adults and older adults build strength, balance, cardiovascular health and social connection. RCC is one of the largest public American Red Cross training providers in the region. More than 300 lifeguards have been trained in the past four months and RCC plans to increase lifeguard training capacity by 75% next year. McCall also recognized the RCC staff members whose work brings these programs to life every day, including Alfred Toussaint, Dory Traynham and Sophie Kartchner, who were present for the proclamation. Toussaint teaches children and adults to swim and stay safe in the water. Traynham helps adults maintain strength, mobility and confidence through aqua aerobics while building community beyond the pool. Kartchner trains lifeguards who protect community pools, helping many first-time job seekers become skilled, responsible safety professionals. Through RCC Aquatics, children learn lifesaving water safety practices, adults build strength and connection and lifeguards are prepared to act when it matters most. With every class and every swimmer, RCC is strengthening a culture of water safety throughout the community. Registration is now open for RCC’s summer aquatics sessions. Details are available at https://rebrand.ly/chqtfj4/

By Kaydence Smith, staff writer Midnightreats is located at Reston Town Center. Photo by Isadora Guerreiro Northern Virginia-based dessert company Midnightreats has relocated from Plaza America to Reston Town Center, bringing its plant-based cookies and late-night dessert menu to a more prominent location in the heart of Reston. The company opened its first storefront in Reston in 2022 after starting as a home bakery in 2017. Before opening a brick-and-mortar location, the business also operated from a ghost kitchen in Chantilly. According to co-owner Jemal Mahdi, visibility and foot traffic were major factors behind the move. "Our previous location was tucked away in the back of an office building that had once housed a Subway restaurant," Mahdi said. The new location's proximity to hotels, restaurants and community events made it an attractive fit for the growing business. Midnightreats specializes in plant-based cookies made from scratch using original recipes. The bakery is best known for its signature "monster cookies," one-third-pound treats that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The menu features four year-round monster cookie flavors: chocolate chip, birthday bash, cinna-roll and brownie. Three seasonal flavors rotate every two weeks. In addition to cookies, customers can choose from milk teas, dirty sodas, cookie pies and cookie nachos served with dipping sauces. Although the bakery markets itself as plant-based, Mahdi said most customers are not vegan. "People come because they love cookies," he said. Midnightreats has also become a popular option for customers with food allergies. The bakery operates a nut-free kitchen, with the exception of coconut, and all of its cookies are vegan. Another defining feature is its late-night hours. Midnightreats remains open until midnight every day, offering a dessert option long after many businesses have closed. "We're glad to provide a late-night dessert option for people, especially being so close to hotels," Mahdi said. Looking ahead, Midnightreats plans to continue expanding throughout the region, with locations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. currently in the planning stages. Midnightreats’ new location is located at 1826 Discovery St, Reston.

By Katy Keffer, staff writer Accomplished artists and Restonites Margarita Reyes and Albert Halac hosted an opening reception at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods on May 31 for “Places I Have Seen and Peoples I Have Met,” their latest gallery event. This inviting and moving collection of oil paintings is a probing study of life and identity—across cultures, landscapes, and people. Reyes, born in Uruguay and the granddaughter of famous Uruguayan painter Pedro Figari, exudes graciousness, kindness, and a contagious energy for her art and the people around her. Halac grew up in Argentina and is a delightful storyteller, charming, and unpretentious. Together, this artistic duo’s magnetism mirrors the allure of their paintings. The oil paintings fit in with the multicultural, international, and natural space that is Reston. With Reyes’s images of nature, flowers, and trees, she captures the soft mood of place. Fall into the quiet and open air of countryside in “Scene of Virginia” or the pleasure of a pause at a riverside Parisian café in another titled “Eiffel Tower,” which rises high in the background. Halac’s paintings are commanding for their penetrating depictions across cultures and customs. Here, what stands out most are the eyes, hands, and precise poses of a people. His work represents the faces of daily living alongside messages of hope and prosperity, as seen in “Romanian Widow,” whose blue eyes pierce from the canvas. It’s also in the seated posture of a market seller whose gaze looks for customers in “Moroccan Chicken Peddler” where vivid orange, brown, and red of roosters and chickens pop off the canvas. Reyes and Halac in front of Reyes' work at the display's opening reception. Photo by Katy Keffer Reyes shared they had traveled much of the world—Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas—though one continent remained absent from their paintings. “We haven’t yet been to Australia,” she noted. Still, both artists continue to find daily pleasure in painting, affected deeply by current events and stories being revealed all around the world. Notably, one of Halac’s major works he hoped to feature, “After Guernica, Gaza,”—a raw and vulnerable study of the war in Gaza—did not meet the Reston Community Center’s exhibit guidelines and was removed. To fill its void mere days before the exhibit opened, Halac painted a still-unnamed work to convey the “wholeness and spirit of the exhibition,” Halac shared. With striking shades of blue showing a night sky in peacetime and at war, hope persists despite heartache. He is inviting the public to visit the gallery, rest with the painting, and help title the piece. The exhibit is free and open to the public with an opportunity to purchase any of the artwork on display. Visit Reston Community Center Hunters Woods at 2310 Colts Neck Road now through July 6.

By Megan Schmid, staff writer Thia Pyle has a big heart for animals and has used baking and crafts to make a difference for many pets in need. Photo contributed by Thia Pyle Third-grader Thia Pyle of Fox Mill Elementary School is already making a difference for animals in need. With the help of friends Clover and Lila, the young entrepreneur has spent the past few months baking cookies and making bracelets to raise money for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. So far, she has raised nearly $500 to help the shelter care for animals. “I’m just really glad that I am able to help them,” she said. When she is not at school or on the soccer field, Thia enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her dogs. Her family rescued a 3-year-old Labradoodle, Nola, and is currently fostering a blind puppy named Charlie. She also runs a small pet-sitting business, Caring Paws Pet Sitting, offering dog walking and in-home pet visits in Reston. Her passion for helping animals began when she started visiting the animal shelter at age 5. “There was a dog that had been there for two years,” she recalled. “He was really old with medical issues, and I felt really bad for him.” The experience stayed with her and inspired her fundraising efforts. She believes shelter animals are often misunderstood. “Everyone should take a chance on a shelter animal,” she said. “They are often the sweetest you can get.” The fundraiser combines two things she loves: baking and crafting with friends. One of her favorite treats to make is oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. “My mom bakes all the time,” she said. “I have learned a lot from her, but I read the recipes and do most of it by myself.” She sells her homemade cookies and bracelets door to door in neighborhoods around Reston and hopes to expand to more communities. Although she enjoys meeting people, knocking on doors can be challenging. “It’s hard to speak to adults sometimes,” she admitted. “And sometimes people say no.” Still, the encouragement she receives keeps her going. One neighbor especially stood out. “She kept calling me her hero,” Thia said. “She was really thankful that I was doing it and told us we were doing the right thing.” Thia says helping animals makes every cookie baked and every door knocked on worthwhile. “Even though we are just kids, we can make a huge difference,” she said. “We should all just do what we can.” When she grows up, she hopes to become a veterinarian and continue horseback riding. For now, she is focused on helping as many animals as she can, one batch of cookies at a time. To request a neighborhood visit or book pet-sitting services, contact Katie Brown at kathryneganbrown@gmail.com.

By Katy Keffer, staff writer Officials cut the ribbon on June 3, and kids celebrated the new playground at the Reston North Park. Photo by Katy Keffer, staff writer Under a clear blue spring sky, the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrated the official reopening of Reston North Park, affectionately known by local parents as the "Home Depot Playground," on June 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a hands-on Wonder Wagon nature center, brief dedication speeches and a relaxed late-afternoon crowd that quickly filled the space. Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole opened the ceremony by emphasizing her commitment to playgrounds, noting that they encourage physical activity for children while creating opportunities for adults to connect. The redesigned facility now offers a 180-degree sightline, allowing caregivers to see nearly the entire area from most locations. The renovation project began in fall 2025 with the goal of creating a safe and accessible space for "kids to grow, explore and make memories," said Park Authority Board Vice Chair Bill Bouie. The $1.8 million project was funded through Fairfax County park bonds approved in 2016 and 2020, which Bouie said would not have been possible without residents' support. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, a Reston resident, said the park continues to reflect the community values on which Reston was founded while providing families with a welcoming place where children can play freely. The upgrades are significant, as many local parents can attest. The playground's new poured-in-place rubber safety surface provides a cushioned, slightly springy feel while ensuring stability and inclusive use. Aging wooden retaining walls have been replaced with durable concrete structures that also serve as seating areas for visitors. New benches are located throughout the park, while two large blue umbrellas provide shade for parents and caregivers. Accessible pathways connect the playground and ballfield. New trees have also been planted throughout the area, reinforcing Reston's longstanding commitment to preserving open, healthy and natural spaces. Unfazed by the celebratory activities around them, many children continued to test the new equipment, spinning, swinging, climbing ropes and racing down slides. For them, the renovated park was already serving its purpose: encouraging activity, exploration and a sense of adventure.

by Ellyn Wexler, staff writer Master John K. Thomas, Sensei Murali Mooliyil and Sensei Nathan Keysor. Photo contributed by Kathryn Keysor A pillar of the Reston martial arts community has stepped off the mat for the final time. The United States Karate Center, a longtime institution tucked away in Isaac Newton Square that trained thousands of area children and adults since 1983, closed at the end of May after 43 years in business. Mounting financial and scheduling challenges ultimately forced the decision. Master John K. Thomas, a former U.S. national full-contact champion, founded the dojo. Two years ago, leadership passed to longtime students Sensei Murali Mooliyil and Sensei Nathan Keysor, a retired Fairfax County master police officer who grew up in Reston and attended South Lakes High School. Keysor first walked into the dojo at age 13 in 1987, an experience that shaped the course of his life. “Master John K. Thomas’s teaching style immediately resonated with me, and martial arts became a central part of my life from that moment on,” he recalled. After earning his black belt in 1994, Keysor began teaching, motivated by the lessons martial arts had given him. “I was inspired by the profound impact martial arts had on my own life, giving me discipline, confidence and a sense of purpose,” he said. “I wanted to pass those same benefits on to others, especially children and young adults.” The closure marks the end of a dojo that emphasized character development over rapid belt advancement. While many martial arts schools operate on a high-turnover “belt factory” model, the center focused on individualized progress. That philosophy led local parent Nina Li to enroll her daughter, Katie Tung, in the program 18 months ago. “When we were looking at martial arts programs, one thing I wanted to avoid was places that focus purely on advancing through belts as quickly as possible,” Li said. “The United States Karate Center was completely personalized. My daughter competed with herself, not against other kids. The senseis never rushed anyone through.” Li described the atmosphere as relaxed and welcoming. “The senseis chatted with the kids and the parents about their lives,” she said. “There was a board on the wall celebrating monthly birthdays. It was a small thing, but it showed they valued the kids as individuals.” The school also emphasized realistic self-defense training, introducing sparring early to help students build confidence. “She became much more confident,” Li noted of her daughter. “The senseis wanted kids to become comfortable with someone directly in front of them. That’s a much more realistic self-defense scenario.” Parent Alvaro Soto Jr., whose daughter Mya trained at the dojo for more than two years, said the school became a second home for many families. Beyond martial arts instruction, he watched his daughter develop confidence, resilience and self-discipline that carried into other areas of her life. Like many families, Soto believes Reston is losing more than a martial arts school. He sees the closure as the loss of a community where children formed friendships, learned leadership skills and grew into more confident versions of themselves. Keysor said his 20 years in law enforcement heavily influenced his teaching philosophy. “My background reinforced the importance of real-world self-defense, situational awareness and mental toughness,” he explained. “Martial arts is not just physical. It’s about developing character, integrity and the ability to protect oneself and others.” For Keysor, the most important lessons were not physical. “Control, honor and discipline,” he reflected. “True martial arts training should make someone a better person, not just a better fighter.” Taking over the dojo two years ago was both “humbling and challenging” for Keysor. “I never expected to step into Master Thomas’s shoes, but I felt a strong responsibility to preserve the school’s legacy while adapting to new realities,” he said. Keysor was recently named a 2026 inductee into the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame and recognized as a Level 7 Instructor by the Police Tactics Instructors of America. Ultimately, rising operational costs in Northern Virginia and Keysor’s relocation to West Virginia made it impossible to continue. “It was a tough but necessary decision,” he acknowledged. For Keysor, the most meaningful part of the school’s legacy was watching students grow over the decades. “There are so many memories: watching shy children become confident leaders, seeing students overcome physical challenges and celebrating black belt achievements,” he said. “Many former students still reach out years later to tell me how USKC positively shaped their lives.” Despite the closure, Keysor hopes the school will be remembered for more than martial arts instruction alone. “I would like the school to be remembered as a place where students learned not just techniques, but values, respect, discipline and personal growth under the guidance of Master Thomas’s authentic teachings,” he said. Families and alumni wishing to share memories or stay connected with former dojo members can still reach the organization through its longtime email address at uskc.online@gmail.com.

By Laynie Kouhsari, student guest writer Graduating South Lakes High School seniors Olivia Inglefield and Irene Ha will continue their education at prestigious U.S. service academies while pursuing careers in STEM fields. This fall, Inglefield will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she plans to study chemical engineering. Although she was accepted to several universities, including the University of Virginia, Georgia Tech, Purdue University and the University of Texas at Austin, she chose West Point for its structured environment and emphasis on both academic and physical rigor. "I always knew I wanted to do some sort of engineering," Inglefield said. After considering careers in medicine and research, she recently decided to focus on chemical engineering. Inglefield hopes to attend graduate school after West Point, earn a doctorate in chemical engineering and then fulfill her Army service commitment as a chemical engineer. Ha will attend the U.S. Naval Academy, a goal she has pursued since her sophomore year. After visiting the campus several times, she said she was drawn to its traditions, people and environment. Ha plans to major in chemistry or data science and minor in a foreign language. She was also accepted to the University of California, San Diego; Virginia Tech Honors College and George Mason University. "My older sister has always been my inspiration and role model and motivated me to pursue the Naval Academy," Ha said. "She is a true example of a hardworking and resilient person and has inspired me to face challenges with determination and pursue my goals." Unlike traditional college applications, the service academy admissions process required months of preparation, including interviews, fitness tests, medical examinations, recommendations and congressional nominations. Ha described the process as lengthy and stressful while also completing the International Baccalaureate diploma program. After graduation, she hopes to serve in the military beyond the required five years, possibly in surface warfare or naval aviation. She also plans to earn a master's degree. Both students have chosen demanding academic paths while preparing for careers in military service. Their commitment to scholarship, leadership and service will help shape the next chapter of their lives.

By Ellie Norris, student writer Under the stage lights of The National Theatre, four talented South Lakes students were recognized amongst competitors from 25 schools for their outstanding talent in High School theatre. The Brandon Victor Dixon Awards, DC’s regional awards program of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (aka The Jimmy Awards), celebrates artistry in performance in our Nation’s capital. On Stage, Lua Songer-Johnson won a coveted spot as a Best Actress finalist. She said, "Being a finalist has been one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences, and I am so blessed to have gotten this far. Not only did I get to do what I love and share it with so many people, but I also had the privilege of working alongside exceptionally talented individuals. Their kindness, support, and welcoming nature made this experience even more meaningful and memorable." Liam Birch, nominated as a semi-finalist in the Best Actor category, along with Songer-Johnson, performed solos in the opening number and shone in the closing number. A finalist for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Theatre, Sebastian Harman received accolades for his superior technical direction. Alden Walcott, a BVD-nominated student reporter, was chosen by The Jimmy Awards as a national finalist. The Fifth Brandon Victor Dixon awards proved once again that South Lakes remains a powerhouse for high school theatrical excellence.