McLean Whiz Kids: Hunger Crusader, Scholarship Winners

We write a lot about local politicians, Tysons Corner traffic tangles and other grown-up goings on about town, but we thought we'd pause a moment to highlight some of our younger neighbors.

These McLean kids — and young adults — caught our attention for their recent accomplishments. A round of applause for the group, please!

Hunger Fundraiser

The honored Noah Haefner, a seventh grader at Longfellow Middle School, for his efforts to support the McLean Stop Hunger Now project.

Noah and his fellow Student Council representatives raised more than $2,600 for the next meal packaging day November 10, at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean.

Noah, of Vienna, received a Certificate of Appreciation from McLean Rotary President Cherry Baumbusch and Bob Hahne, a McLean Rotarian and an organizer of the McLean Stop Hunger Now project.
 
The McLean Stop Hunger Now project has packaged more than 450,000 meals over the past 18 months and plans to package an additional 250,000 meals at the November 2012 event. Organizers are looking to raise at least $62,500 (or 25 cents a meal).

Four McLean Students Receive National Achievement Scholarships

Four McLean students were among 14 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students who have won Achievement Scholarships from the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship program (NASP).

The Achievement Scholarships are awarded to Black American high school seniors to be used for undergraduate study at any regionally accredited United States college or university. More than 800 students won nationwide.

The FCPS students from McLean named National Achievement Scholars, with their probable career fields in parentheses, are:

• Katherine Branche of Langley High School (medicine).
• Stephen Preston, Jr., of Langley High School (aerospace engineering).
• Brandon Allen of Marshall High School (biology-law).
• Nana-Kwabena Adjapong Abrefah of McLean High School (mathematics).

Virginia Debate Champs

Congratulations to Max Johnson and Damian Leverett of McLean High School for winning the state forensics competition in Harrisonburg, Va., in March in the Serious Dramatic Duo event. They are the state champs.

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If you know of good deeds, accomplishments by McLean kids, please send to bobbi.bowman@patch.com