Madison Academic Team Headed For TV

Posted on December 17th, 2011 by

Students will compete Saturday on NBC's "It's Academic"

Fri, 12/16/2011 – 10:00 | Vienna Patch Contributor Amanda Hamm

James Madison High School’s academic team will show off its quiz skills this Saturday on NBC’s “It’s Academic.”

The program is the longest-running television quiz show in the world, celebrating its 51st anniversary this year, it said on its website.

The Madison team typically competes on the show once a year, said coach Albert Gunn, but if they win the qualifying match, the team will go back to compete at semi-finals. A team can appear on the show up to four times in a year if they make it to finals. The Madison team won the district’s championship in the 1990s.

The first round will air Saturday morning. A regional competition takes place in January, in which teams compete within their high school’s normal district. Madison is part of the Liberty district and often competes against Langley and McLean.

This year’s team consists of coach Albert Gunn and students Alex Russell (captain, senior); John Nothaft (senior); and Patrick Hansen (senior). The two alternates are Sepehr Sobhani (senior) and Harry Hild (senior). Alex, Patrick and John are longtime members of the team.

The students who compete on the team also participate in other extracurricular activities: Russell runs track and plays on the tennis team; Nothaft is an accomplished musician, playing both the piano and organ. He also plays on the tennis team and in the orchestra. Hansen is the team’s math expert, as well as being an endurance athlete on the cross country team.

“’It’s Academic’ is a perfect application of the Jeopardy skills that Alex [Williams] and I practice on a weekly basis,” Hansen said. “Success in ‘It’s Academic’ competitions relies on a broad base of knowledge that ranges from Ancient World history, to Modern American Literature. Math Calculations are a special treat!”

Getting on the team requires a student who is interested in competing in an academic environment, Gunn said, but also those involved in school and local communities and can deal with the pressure of being in the public eye.

“It’s Academic is a truly enriching experience,” Sobhani said. “I learned the true value of competition because in It’s Academic, it is not enough to simply win, the opposition must be thoroughly demoralized in order to ensure victory.”

The first round begins at 11 a.m. Saturday on NBC 4. For more information on It’s Academic, visit their website.

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Mason sophomore discusses potential of ROTC Naval Unit on campus

Posted on September 24th, 2011 by

George Mason University’s ROTC office is seeking to establish a Naval Unit on its Fairfax campus. The Navy-affiliate program would join existing the existing Army ROTC unit.

Mason sophomore, Grant LaRock, is a voice behind the initiative and he sat down with Connect2Mason to share some insight into the proposed program.

C2M: How many colleges have a Naval/Marine ROTC unit? Not Mason?

LaRock: There are about 70+ universities in the US that have NROTC programs. I believe Virginia has about seven [colleges]. Mason doesn’t have one because an effort hasn’t been made to bring one to the school.

C2M: What needs to be done to bring a Naval/Marine Unit to Mason?

LaRock: According to Chief of Staff of the Office of the President, Dr. Hennessey, we need to create a petition stating why students would like a Naval ROTC unit and acquire at least six signatures of approval from current Mason students. Of course, we would like to get more than six.

C2M: How will having this new unit affect students?

LaRock: It would incite healthy competition between the different Mason branches of ROTC. The adoption of a second ROTC program on campus will give students a wider range of military options from which to choose. This will also bring in an even larger and more diverse applicant pool, at the same time increasing the university’s prestige on a national basis.

C2M: What all ROTC units does Mason have? How will this new unit be different from the ROTC program Mason already has?

LaRock: Currently, the only on-campus ROTC unit available to students is Army ROTC. There is also a cross campus affiliate for Air Force ROTC with the University of Maryland, but it is not really an ideal trek for Mason students. For those students who wish to participate in the Naval ROTC program, they would have the option to commission as an officer into the Navy or Marine Corp and go into whatever career they choose.

C2M: Why are you so interested in having a Naval ROTC unit brought to Mason?

LaRock: I would like to pursue a career as a Naval or Marine Corp Officer upon graduation. It is also my desire to see the values of the Navy be spread to other young men and women wanting to become leaders of the United States. I am currently working alongside Jacobo Flores and Michael Lillie, GMU Veterans Society President and VP (respectively), and Mason senior, Michael Dematteo.

Students wanting more information on the proposed Naval ROTC unit, contact Grant LaRock at glarock@gmu.edu.

(Originial article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/mason-sophomore-discusses-potential-rotc-naval-unit-campus).

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SG to host Fall Senate elections for freshman and transfer students

Posted on September 15th, 2011 by

Freshman and transfer students interested in running for Student Government can pick up an election packet this week.

Packets for candidacy are located in the Office of Student Involvement on the second floor of the HUB (formerly Student Union II) building.

There are 10 Senate seats reserved specifically for freshman and transfer students in their first semester at Mason. The process is conducted by the SG’s Election and Disputes Commission to ensure a fair and unbiased election.

According to Tommy Lee, Speaker of the Senate, this election will change things in SG by greatly increasing the number of students serving on the Senate.

“Last spring only 26 of the 30 [spring election] seats were filled, and four senators have since resigned bringing the current number to only 22 senators. Having these additional 10 senators will not only bring us closer to a full Senate of 40, but it also helps create healthier discussion by increasing the number of individuals contributing ideas and input,” Lee said.

Lee also said having Senators new to Mason will bring in fresh perspectives and a desire to address concerns that older Senators have either overlooked or not noticed.

Elections will be held Monday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 4 and all Mason students will be emailed the night before elections begin with a link to an online voting system. Voting is open to all, not just freshmen and transfer students.

The newly elected Senators will be sworn in and assume office on Thursday, October 6th during the weekly Senate Meeting.

After the fall election, any remaining Senate seats are filled by an appointment process. Any student may fill out an application to the Senate, but instead of an election these students will go through a process of interviewing with the Government & Academic Affairs Committee and be confirmed in front of the Senate said Lee.

For more information visit SG’s Facebook page here http://on.fb.me/oOyRUb.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/sg-host-fall-senate-elections-freshman-and-transfer-students).

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Mason community reflects on 9/11, gathers for evening vigil

Posted on September 15th, 2011 by

Sun, 09/11/2011 – 23:28 | C2M Staff Reporter Amanda Hamm

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11, more than 1,000 students joined together Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil near the North Plaza clock tower.

The vigil began at 9 p.m. with a speech by SG Chief of Staff Alex Williams and remarks by Mason President Alan Merten. Mason student, Brandon Showell, sang “The National Anthem” at 9:08 p.m. followed by a moment of silence at 9:11 p.m. Students then joined in reading a poem before walking to the George Mason statue to lay their candles at his feet.

Members of Student Government along with the Office of University Life organized the event.

Allyson Bowers, SG Student Body President, said University Life had contacted her to see what, if any, memorial events were being held on campus.

“When I realized nothing was planned, I asked my [SG] leadership team how they would feel about taking on the task of planning an event of this scale on such short notice,” Bowers said. “We all realized that this day could not pass by without some recognition from the Mason community.”

Prior to the event, many students shared personal stories of where they were and what they remember from the solemn day, ten years ago.

“This [vigil] is unique, due to the simple fact that everyone was impacted by the events which occurred on 9/11 in different ways,” Bowers said.

“I was in the fourth grade and we were watching the news in our class when an announcement came over the intercom to turn off all the televisions in the school,” said Mike Jordan, a Mason sophomore. “We were essentially on lockdown – no one was allowed to leave.”

Junior Michael McKenney remembers being a confused 11-year-old kid when 9/11 occurred.

“I visited my grandfather at his apartment in Rosslyn and we went up to the roof of his building. We could see the Pentagon from where he lived and there was black smoke rising from the wreckage. At the time I didn’t realize how serious it all was,” McKenney said.

Sophomore Amanda Smith, also representing Alpha Xi Delta sorority at the event, remembers sitting in her fourth grade class when they received news of the tragedy.

“I was living down in Georgia at the time and all I could think about was my family living up here [in DC] and hoping everyone was okay. Unfortunately my uncle, Lt. Col. Gary Francis Smith, did not survive the attack on the Pentagon,” Smith said.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/mason-community-reflects-911-gathers-evening-vigil).

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Student Government trades cookies for feedback at Welcome Week event

Posted on September 5th, 2011 by

Fri, 09/02/2011 – 14:37 | C2M Student Government Reporter Amanda Hamm

SG launched What Do You Want Wednesdays last spring looking to engage students. (Photo provided by Tommy Lee)

Student Government’s monthly What Do You Want Wednesdays event kicked off this week with a free cookie giveaway near North Plaza on Wednesday afternoon. Students were given the snack after leaving suggestions with SG members.

Feedback from students addressed a number of concerns such as communication with students, parking accessibility and vegan dining options. SG rented the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie cart and provided participating students with a cookie in exchange for their thoughts.

What Do You Want Wednesdays originated last year as a way to elicit suggestions from students regarding things they would like to see changed or improved on campus. Jacky Yoo, Vice President of SG and a Mason senior, said that her and other executive members of SG came up with the idea after they attended a National Student Government conference last year.

SG members at the event said students seemed interested in leaving suggestions.

“We saw this event as a way to reach out to students,” Yoo said. “We wanted to increase our transparency to [Mason] students and to also strengthen relationships between members of the Executive branch and the Senate. The main goal of What Do You Want Wednesdays is to show students that we [SG] are out in full force.”

Students said it was a valuable resource for those who didn’t know how to get in contact with their SG representatives.

“This is a great way for SG to hear what students want,” said Navita Khatri, a junior Biology major. “It is easy for us [students] to meet SG members in a less formal setting.”

SG Senator Michael McKenney thought receiving student feedback might also be helpful during future SG elections.

“If students are shown their opinion matters, hopefully more of them will give their support during voting times,” McKenney said.

Mason freshman and Public Administration major, Matt Crush, said he is interested in possibly joining SG and wanted to leave suggestions with current members.

“One major thing I would like to see changed is how things are communicated. Students should be better informed when events and activities are scheduled so we can plan ahead,” Crush said. “It is difficult to keep up on everything and having advanced notice would greatly increase [our] options.”

What Do You Want Wednesdays will continue to occur on the first Wednesday of every month throughout the semester, however, Wednesday’s Welcome Week event comes in lieu of the event for September.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/student-government-trades-cookies-feedback-welcome-week-event).

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A peek at Mason’s Move-in Week 2011

Posted on August 26th, 2011 by

Thu, 08/25/2011 – 19:31 | C2M Staff Writer Amanda Hamm

Student volunteers assist freshman move-in on Thursday. (Photo Courtesy of Jake McLernon)

Incoming students might feel a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of moving onto Mason’s Fairfax campus this week.

As in years past, many student organizations and staff members will be available to ensure the process runs smoothly and to assist with move-in.

According to Mason’s Housing and Resident Life Office, approximately 2,000 freshmen moved into their dorms Thursday. Another 2,500 students will move in on Saturday.

New and current students should review the Fall 2011 Move-In Schedule (http://housing.gmu.edu/movein). The schedule is organized by building name and dependent on the floor assignment, students can see what time they are expected to move in.

Students are invited to participate in Welcome Week activities taking place throughout this coming week.

Here’s an outline of some of the events:

Patriot Premiere takes place this Thursday from 8:30 p.m. til 1:00 a.m. The event is geared toward new students wanting to meet others and to blow off a bit of steam after a long day of moving in.

Decorate Your Space: A Residential Event will occur this Friday from 10:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m. Shuttle buses to Target and Wal-Mart will be provided for students desiring to shop for dorm room supplies/decorations.

The Catholic Campus Ministry will host a luau this Friday from 5:30 p.m. til 9:00 p.m. There will be free food provided and students can enter a raffle to win prizes.

For more information on Move-In, please visit the Housing website (http://housing.gmu.edu).

Additional information about Welcome Week can be found here (http://welcomeweek.gmu.edu).

(Original articled can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/peek-masons-move-week-2011).

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C2M Introduces Student Government at Mason

Posted on August 25th, 2011 by

Wed, 08/24/2011 – 10:23 | C2M Student Government News Reporter Amanda Hamm

SG Senate Office (Photo Courtesy of Jake McLernon)

Students having aspirations of one day running for public office may view Student Government (SG) as a way to jump start their political careers. One thing that is often overlooked by students is how large of a time commitment student government requires. According to SG officials, it’s more than just a title, it’s a full time job that must be performed to serve over 32,000 students.

Student Government Elected Officials

Allyson Bowers (Senior, Govt & International Politics Major) – President, Student Body. Bowers is in her fourth year with SG and has previously served as Speaker of the Senate, and Chairwoman of the Govt and Academic Affairs Committee.

Jacky Yoo (Senior, Communications Major) – Vice President, Student Body. Yoo is in her second year with SG and served as VP last year alongside former President D’Leon Barnett.

Alex Williams (Junior, Govt & International Politics Major) – Chief of Staff. Williams is in his second year with SG and has served as a former Senator. Acting as Secretary to Bowers and Yoo, he coordinates meetings and fills in when either the Pres. or VP are not available. Williams also works as liaison between different branches of SG.

Tommy Lee (Junior, Conflict Analysis & Resolution Major) – Speaker, Student Senate. Lee is in his third year with SG. As Speaker, Lee acts as chairman during full Senate sessions and keeps the Senators organized.

Brad Gross (Junior, Finance Major) – Speaker Pro-Tempore, Student Senate. Gross is in his second year with SG.His duties as Parliamentarian include ensuring all rules and Code requirements are adhered to during meetings, keeping the Senate in check, and filling in when the Speaker cannot perform his duties.

Student Government Overview

There are currently 25 elected members serving on the Senate, leaving 15 open slots needing to be filled. Spring elections typically fill 30 of these spots; the remaining 10 are reserved for freshmen/transfer elections which takes place mid-October.

Aside from the Senate, there is the Executive Branch which includes the President, VP, Chief of Staff, Cabinet Secretaries and Undersecretaries. The Executive Branch works closely with the Senate to accomplish several initiatives. The names of Executive Branch positions typically correlate with University offices (i.e. University Life, Parking Appeals, etc).

The Elections and Disputes Commission deals with exactly what the name suggests – elections and disputes between branches.

The Parking Appeals Board is there for students who may have previously appealed a ticket to Parking and Transportation and the appeal wasn’t granted. These students may attempt a second appeal. The process includes this student board who discuss the citation with the student and then send their notes to the Parking office to make the final call.

SG maintains an annual budget of approximately $20,000. About $1,000 is given to the Elections and Disputes Commission to conduct elections (advertising and packets), with an extra $500 going toward printing. As Student Body President, Bowers receives about $1,000 to use at her discretion toward SG-related expenses. The remaining $17,500 is available to be spent by SG but must be allocated for in advance and approved through a Bill that passes in Senate, according to Bowers.

Although SG has a budget and sponsors many initiatives throughout the year, they do not have any official power.

“We do not sit on the Board of Visitors, nor do we have a say in actual school policy or decisions – we can merely voice an opinion,” Chief of Staff, Alex Williams said. “SG acts as the liaison between students [both individual and organizations] and the school. One recent example of this is how SG helped coordinate efforts with College Republicans and Democrats to get a polling precinct on campus.”

According to Student Senate Speaker Tommy Lee, a goal of almost every SG member is to increase their presence on campus.

“As Mason continues to expand and grow, members of SG are eager and ready to represent the student voice and ensure that voice is heard,” Lee said.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/c2m-introduces-student-government-mason-0).

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Skatepark Planners Meet With Residents For Design Input

Posted on June 16th, 2011 by

Skatepark design for Lake Fairfax Park

Thurs, 06/16/2011 – 11:00 | Reston Patch Contributor Amanda Hamm

Local residents met with skatepark designers at Aldrin Elementary School on Wednesday to discuss opinions and ideas  on designs for a to-be-built facility.

The skatepark in the works for Lake Fairfax Park is expected to be a community-friendly facility where skaters, rollerbladers, and BMX riders alike will be welcome.

The project has already been approved and funded by the Fairfax County Park Authority. The next step is designing the layout of the skatepark. The county has hired Spohn Ranch, a California skatepark design firm.

Among community members’ concerns –  lighting after dark and noise from skaters.

Jason Baldessari, director of sales for Spohn Ranch, said noise shouldn’t be an issue as the skatepark is going to be made out of concrete, which is quieter than other materials.

Community members filled out questionnaires with their thoughts.

Designs for the skatepark will be reviewed and revised throughout the summer. There is a tentative follow-up meeting planned for September.

Construction is set to begin in 2012.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://reston.patch.com/articles/skatepark-planners-meet-with-residents-for-design-input)

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Playing for Kicks

Posted on June 15th, 2011 by

Adult Kickball in Season at Lake Fairfax Park

Wed, 06/15/2011 – 09:00 | Reston Patch Contributor Amanda Hamm

This is not your elementary school kickball game.

Kickball has made its way to a nationally recognized sport, where adults meet at Reston’s Lake Fairfax Park on Thursdays (as well as all over the country this time of year) to  play with a big, red, rubber ball.

The World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) has leagues in more than 30 states. A WAKA kickball league contains between four and 16 co-ed teams – or around 100 to 400 players per league.

Joel Dusoe, spokesman for the DC League, says kickball has been growing since the WAKA was formed in 1998. There are eight regular-season games and a championship tournament.

And each league has a designated bar, which makes it the perfect summer sport. The Dominion League, which plays at Lake Fairfax, meets up at Carpool in Herndon.

Even though the WAKA games are meant as a way for adults to stay active and meet new friends, there are perks to being the best team in the country. More than $20,000 in prizes is awarded each year at the World Championship Weekend Founders Cup Tournament and Kickball Games in Las Vegas. This year’s  tournament will take place  Oct. 7 to 9.

“For Founders Cup, the more competitive tournament, a team must be the League Tournament champion, or League tournament runner-up, or have received a special invitation from WAKA,” said Dusoe.

Less-experienced players can join in the fun too.  They can take part in World Kickball Championship weekend in a relaxed, pool-play WAKA Kickball tournament held in Las Vegas on the same day as the Founders Cup Tournament.

The Dominion League is in the midst of spring season, which ends in July. The fall season starts in August and ends in late October.

Interested in joining a team? Click here to find one nearby.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://reston.patch.com/articles/playing-for-kicks-2)

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New Tall Oaks Doggie Day Care Offers Free-Range Fun

Posted on May 15th, 2011 by

Dog Play Afternoon owner Cheryl Smith and her dog Stella welcome visitors to Dog Play Afternoon. (Photo by Amanda Hamm)

Mon, 05/16/2011 – 07:00 | Reston Patch Contributor Amanda Hamm

Cheryl Smith has spent her life surrounded by stray and adopted pets.

Smith’s mother was the inspiration behind her desire to train and rescue animals. Smith remembers her mother always wanting to adopt the oldest, sickest dog in the shelter that no one else wanted.

Smith has taken her passion for animals to the next step by opening a doggy day care center as a way of caring for dogs and keeping them well trained and out of the animal shelter.

Her business, Dog Play Afternoon, opened its doors to the canine public on Feb 1. Dog Play Afternoon is located in the Tall Oaks Shopping Center, close to walking trails. That makes it a perfect place for dogs to get much needed exercise.

“It is important to keep dogs on a regular schedule,” said Smith. “Taking the dogs outside reinforces training the owners have already established. If dogs are taught to relieve themselves outdoors, it can be confusing for them to be in a place where they aren’t taken out during the day.”

Smith said she wanted to set herself apart from other dog care centers, where pets are sometimes kept in cages. Her center has one cage, but it is only used as a quiet place for dogs who might be tired or agitated, and need some alone time.

Otherwise, all of the dogs are allowed to roam free in a large communal area with toys to play with and boxes to jump over. The center provides beds for the dogs to sleep on during nap time, which takes place each day from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Smith also said there weren’t any small dog day care services in Reston when she made plans to start her business. There were several larger franchises and some in-home pet walkers, but there was no place an owner could drop off their pet on their way to work.

Smith can take her dog to work with her, too. Smith’s pet Cocker Spaniel, Stella, is a fixture at the center. Smith says Stella loves making new friends.

New patrons are required to schedule an initial three-hour appointment where the dog is monitored for aggressiveness and their reaction to the other animals at the center. Dog Play Afternoon has a page on Facebook where owners can watch videos and see pictures of their pet’s first day.

“There is a huge overpopulation issue in shelters and 95 percent of those animals are left by people who don’t have the time or patience to take care of the pet,” said Smith. “If I can make one difference and offer a place where dogs can learn to socialize, then that pet won’t end up in a shelter.”

(Original article can be viewed online at http://reston.patch.com/articles/new-tall-oaks-doggie-day-care-offers-free-range-fun)

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