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Date published: 5/29/2007

Naomi ortiz to compete in state pageant

Naomi T. Ortiz, 8, of Stafford has been chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant, which will be held in Reston on July 26-28.

Naomi's activities include Girl Scouts, swimming and working out. She also enjoys reading, nature outings, arts and crafts, and riding her scooter.

The pageant is held for girls ages 4 to 18. The winner of the pageant will receive $1,000, a crown and banner, bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California.

Kathryn A. Shepard, a student at North Stafford High School, has been named a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

The society recognizes the top scholars in the county.

Membership in the society entitles qualified students to enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, members-only resources, publications and participating in programs offered by educational partners, online pforums, personalized recognition items and publicity honors.

Three Stafford students were among 24 young leaders honored by the New Life Community Development Center at its fourth annual scholarship banquet.

Those honored include Lania Scott-Bland of North Stafford High School, Lauren Taylor of Colonial Forge High School and Jacob Williamson of Brooke Point High School.

Students received scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000. The keynote speaker at the event was former Redskin Mike Nelms, who encouraged the students and guests to never give up on their dreams.

Nick Ekanger, a student at Winding Creek Elementary School in Stafford, was honored recently at a statewide awards ceremony for gifted children held by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

Nick was invited to this awards ceremony based on an exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to second- through eighth-grade Talent Search participants. Seventh- and eighth-graders took the SAT or ACT, the same tests used for college admissions. Second- through sixth-graders took the SCAT, an above-level test scaled for younger students.

The results of these tests give families a better idea of a child's academic talents, particularly in comparison with the thousands of other academically talented students in the Talent Search.

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Date published: 5/29/2007