Rep. Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly will be the guest speaker at Northern Virginia Community College’s 45th Commencement on Sunday, May 15. Approximately 6,000 students are graduating this spring and eligible to participate in the ceremony that begins at 2 p.m. in George Mason University’s Patriot Center. The event is open to the public.

NOVA Fortnightly, the newspaper of Northern Virginia Community College, became the first publication of the college to ever win a Virginia Press Association award. But staff members didn’t just win one, they won two awards – in a category where the college newspaper competed against mainstream newspapers.

NOVA Idol 2011, the singing contest held annually by Northern Virginia Community College, was marked by a concert of great singers performing for five judges, including Tony Perkins from Good Morning America, and a venue packed with family, friends and other guests of the performers. In fact, the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center on the college’s Alexandria campus was so full on March 25 that, according to Meredith Aquila, secretary of NOVA Idol Planning Committee, people were turned away at the door. The center’s marketing manager, Linda Vitello, said the auditorium’s capacity is 991.

NOVA Fortnightly, the newspaper of Northern Virginia Community College, became the first publication of the college to ever win a Virginia Press Association award. But staff members didn’t just win one, they won two awards – in a category where the college newspaper competed against mainstream newspapers.

ELOU (TAZ) TABALLA

Candidate for president

Everyone possesses a color of individuality and a seed for creativity that is unique in itself and independent from any similarities. Everyone does, no exceptions. During my travels overseas as a youngster and throughout my service as a Marine non-commissioned officer, whenever a creative idea or a solution was needed, knowing the above, I was never without resources. All I had to do was to sincerely listen. I am running for SGA President. Lend me your ideas, and I promise never to take my role for granted and never to back down until your needs are met.

[032411_0414_AlexandriaC1.jpg] If you talk to most anyone around the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College, including students, faculty or staff, they would likely agree that the recycling program in place there isn’t working. As for why it isn’t working, there are many conflicting viewpoints and more than just a little confusion.

According to the head of the Green Committee for NOVA, Ray Bailey, for the last 18 months each campus of NOVA has had a recycling contract. The campuses in Fairfax County, including Annandale and Medical Education campuses, have a contract with the county to pick up recycling. Bailey stated, “All other campuses are covered by Con-Serv Industry (CSI).” Bailey also explained that all the contracts are for “single-stream” recycling, which means that paper, plastic bottles and glass can all go in the recycling bins.

On Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m., nine of NOVA’s top singing sensations will battle for the title of this year’s NOVA Idol. The college finalists are Erika Anderson, John Ashburn, Martina Green, Lyndsi Hicks, Kelley Kime, Elaine Lopez, Laura Manzer, Lauren McLeod and Edwin Thorpe. And from various high schools in the region, CJ Marble, Devyn Metz, Padideh Guodarzi Nejad and Joao Versos will be competing for a prize of $1,000.