What’s the Buzz?
The importance of community journalism was the topic of Tuesday’s first staff meeting of the year for The Buzz, the student newspaper for Blessed Sacrament School.
Thirty students on the newspaper staff attended the meeting, which featured Alexandria Times Associate Publisher Jeanne Theismann as the guest speaker. The students asked questions relating to newspaper reporting and freedom of the press differences in countries around the world.
It’s dinner and a decoration for young achiever
When 11-year-old Jacob Landa sat down for dinner with his father and Mayor Bill Euille after winning an auction recently, he did not plan on impressing the mayor to the point of an official distinction, but that’s what he received Tuesday night at the City Council meeting.
The sixth-grade George Washington Middle School student tutors elementary school ESL students, is a member of all-city band, plays goalie for a traveling soccer team, has played for Alexandria Little League for six years and is a nationally-ranked alpine snowboarder all while maintaining an A average. Oh, and the honor student is also in the process of designing his own specially protective snowboarding gloves.
“I just figured this sixth-grader is a shining example of probably how many other sixth graders … act now in the City of Alexandria and in the school systems in general, public and private,” Euille said
Landa had not originally planned on attending the dinner for three, but his mother gave up her seat at the table so that he could meet Euille. The conversation quickly began revolving around Landa’s achievements, Euille said, to the point that he had to do something.
“I was inspired by Jacob’s background and success story and achievements at such a young age, I decided I’m going to let the rest of Alexandria know,” Euille said.
“Thank you for honoring me with this,” Landa said. “I certainly couldn’t have done this without my dad or my mom or any of the other people in my life.”
T.C. grad joins Webb’s office
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) announced Monday that Luke Principato, an Alexandria native and 2005 graduate of T.C. Williams High School, will serve as staff assistant in the Senator’s office.
“I am pleased to welcome Luke to my staff,” Webb said in a statement. “I take great pride in hiring Virginians and look forward to the contributions that Luke will make serving the needs and interests of Virginia.”
Prior to joining the senator’s team, Principato graduated from the University in Virginia in May with a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs.
“As a Virginian, it is truly an honor to work for Senator Webb,” Principato said. “I admire the senator’s bipartisan approach to policymaking and am impressed with his deep commitment to the issues and needs of the Commonwealth.”
