Bright and early one recent morning, students from Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus loaded onto a bus headed to Richmond, home of the Virginia Senate. Nervous, yet full of excitement, these students were able to dip their toes into politics and get a first-hand look at what really happens behind the scenes.

NOVA sponsored its first annual Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 18. The event coincides with the National Day of Service which always takes place on the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. This NOVA Day of Service included two on-campus and two off-campus events. Both on-campus events, a free vehicle maintenance program and a school supply drive, took place on the Alexandria campus.

There’s a familiar buzz in the air, a strangely comforting feeling that reminds me of home. Walking down the street, with cold gusts of wind seeping through my cotton gloves and wool coat, I take a moment to look around and observe the ongoing preparations for Christmas day.

The street lamps are adorned with wreath-like decorations, setting off a hazy yellow light that feels all at once familiar and nostalgic. Christmas carols are blasting from the speakers from nearby stores. The songs take me back to Manila, to my family and friends, my home—the way all Christmas songs do. Every song is a time machine, every song has its own moments with me and I am here and there all at once.

The weapon used by a Woodbridge college student now charged with the attempted murder of his math instructor jammed on him, preventing him from firing a third round from his high-powered rifle.

Jason M. Hamilton, 20, was unable to continue shooting at instructor Tatyana Kravchuk, who ducked behind a desk and was not hit, Prince William County police Maj. Ray Colgan said. No one was injured.

Every year, various campuses at Northern Virginia Community College hold an alcohol awareness week, which doesn’t sound like much fun from a college student’s point of view. But aside from the tables with fliers warning about the effects of alcohol and a trailer displaying a mangled car from a drunk-driving accident, mocktails were served to those willing to undergo an obstacle course while wearing beer goggles, much to the delight of onlookers.
Mocktails are non-alcoholic cocktails. And these beer goggles don’t make anyone look good, least of all the wearer. …

On Oct. 15, the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College hosted a College Transfer Day. With about two months of planning the transfer day was created to give students who were planning to transfer to a university some idea of where they would like to go by  providing an opportunity to explore options and meet staff from colleges of their choice.
Michael Donnelly, one of the leading forces behind event, worked to make the day a success with the help of counselors, Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center …

The past two weeks have been filled with twists and turns in regard to health care reform. Multiple reports and, finally, a committee vote have pushed President Obama’s health care reform tread another step forward.

On Oct. 7, the Congressional Budget Office, the non-partisan agency which provides analyses of legislation and budgets for Congress, released a memo containing their findings on the monetary aspects of the most prominent health care bill to date: the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009.

If everyone were an activist against emotional and physical dating violence, perhaps this would be a safer world—not just in relationships, but in general. As it is, however, Doorways for Women and Children intern Kimberly Armradit said that “one in five college-age relationships include dating abuse.” Perhaps those who are not in abusive relationships can be a greater help to their friends who are by having a broader understanding of how to recognize abuse.

The polls were open first thing the morning of Nov. 3 at 6 a.m. The race for Virginia’s governor was between Robert “Bob” McDonnell of the Republican Party and R. Creigh Deeds of the Democratic Party. According to a recent survey by Public Policy Polling, McDonnell was favored to win with Deeds trailing by 12 points. However, the Republican Party still urged people to go out and vote, disregarding what had been reported.

The way Virginia colleges operate could depend on the state’s future governor.

Both the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor have outlined plans – in other words, made political promises — to improve education and its affordability. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It’s quite possible every gubernatorial candidate has promised something similar, and the current crop of candidates, Democratic State Senator R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Robert “Bob” McDonnell, are no different.