The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, the citys primary stream of financial backing for promising students to attend college, awarded 178 T.C. Williams High School seniors more than  $355,000 in scholarship money last Wednesday at its reception.
    
The class of 2010 is the just the latest beneficiary of the SFA, which has awarded more than $6.9 million to 3,200 T.C. graduates since 1986.
    
Donations from local residents and businesses comprises the majority of the fund/ For every dollar the SFA awards directly, students receive an additional $6 to $8 in grant funding, director Susan Yowell said.

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Keith Perkins, who has taught music in the elementary schools of the Alexandria City Public School System for 20 years, has conducted his last concert.

    
The musician and teacher is well regarded by students and parents alike. Students remember his fun teaching style, like encouraging backwards hats and sunglasses to add a little edge to renditions of Louie, Louie or We Will Rock You rendition at concerts. 
    
A surprise reception was held for Perkins last night in the George Mason Elementary School cafeteria, where several former students greeted their beloved teacher after his last concert in the gym.

After 20 years, Perkins lays down his baton