Winners and losers

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: May 29, 2008

Winners

… Mindy Kline, a teacher at Cougar Elementary School in Manassas Park, is one of Virginia's top educators who'll gather in Alexandria on June 10 to compete for cash awards for themselves and their schools or organizations.

Kline is one of 18 finalists selected statewide for the teacher challenge created by Covanta Energy Corporation and the Center for Science Teaching and Learning. The challenge, Virginia's first science competition for teachers, will award more than $4,000 in cash awards.

… Prince William County Park Authority, which will celebrate National Trails Day on June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a trail improvement at Andrew Leitch Park in Dale City. Volunteers are needed to help rehabilitate a one-mile trail and clean-up at Neabsco Creek. No trail building experience is necessary and on-site training, tools, snacks and water will be provided to volunteers. Volunteers should meet at the park's Easterly Baseball Field.

… The Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross, which will host its annual meeting on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Prince William Hospital, Conference Room A. The chapter will honor its Volunteers of the Year, Clara Barton Society Donors and Good Neighbors. The meeting is open to the public; interested residents should call 703-368-4511, Ext. 227.

… The Future Business Leaders of America club at Battlefield High School, 15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket, which will sponsor a Summer Kids Fun Run on June 7 with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Divisions are kin-dergarten and first, second and third, fourth and fifth, and sixth through eighth. Kindergarteners and first-graders will take a half-mile run (two laps) on the Battlefield track. All other divisions will go one mile or four laps. The first division will start at 9 a.m.

Medals will go to the top three male and female runners in each division; ribbons will be given to all participants. Entry fee is $5. Water will be available at start and finish.

Losers

… Thirteen drivers and one passenger who died on Virginia roads over the 2008 Memorial Day weekend. In four of the six fatal crashes, the drivers were not wearing a safety belt. Alcohol factored into at least five fatal crashes.