Milestones: July 25, 2023

Katherine Hall of Henrico is one of 94 high school seniors selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation July 22-29 in Washington, D.C. The weeklong program, founded in 1947, aims to shape future leaders through hands-on experiences in government and public service. Hall is one of two participants who will represent Virginia as a “senator” at ALA Girls Nation. At ALA Girls Nation, senators will participate in mock Senate sessions complete with caucuses and debating bills that range from personal to political interests. Hall is a rising senior at Douglas S. Freeman High School. Some of her activities include editor in chief of The Commentator, Quizbowl, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and History and Human Rights Club. Some of her awards include Fredrick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, William and Mary Leadership Award, Wofford Scholars Award, and Outstanding Journalism Student Award.

The leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa recently initiated the following local students at the University of Virginia: Naveen Logachandar and Sydney Marshall, of Glen Allen; and Gretchen Neary, of Henrico. Students initiated into the society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class. Students must demonstrate leadership experience and embrace ODK ideals.

The all-discipline collegiate honor society Phi Kappa Phi recently initiated the following local students at Old Dominion University: Katherine Sharnoff and Zachary Spaeth, of Henrico. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

The following students from Henrico County were named to the spring 2023 president’s list at the College of Charleston in South Carolina: John Edmonds, Madelyn Vincent, Madeline Landa, Madelyn Patrick and Michael Stein. To qualify for the president’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.800 or higher.

The following local students were named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at the College of Charleston: Emma Trucksess and Jackson Van Horn, of Glen Allen; and Emma Fredenburg and Madelyn Akins, of Henrico. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.600 or higher.

Student-athletes Evan Walker of Henrico and Sydnee Flores and Nicole Matson of Glen Allen were named to the 2022-23 Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-Academic Team at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va. To qualify for the team, a student-athlete must earn a grade point average of 3.25 or higher for the 2022-23 school year.

Emma Terry of Glen Allen and Emily Merchant of Sandston were named to the spring 2023 president’s list at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. To be eligible for the president’s list, a student must earn a 4.0 grade point average for the semester.

The following local students were named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University: Bailey Hall, Samantha Hanczaryk, Jackson Hiatt, Mary Krongaard, Nicholas Laumer and Saree Porter, of Henrico; and Lillian Hasty, Linmore Jones and Madeline Schuetze, of Glen Allen. To be named to the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 (3.25 for freshman) or higher.

Andrew Smetana of Henrico was named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.4 or higher.

Hanna Bautista of Glen Allen was named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at Anderson University in South Carolina. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Maxwell Thompson of Henrico graduated May 18 with a bachelor of science degree in Exercise Science from Kean University in Union, N.J.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently announced additional key administration and board appointments: Virginia Asian Advisory Board – Shakira Khan of Henrico, manager digital communications at Dominion Energy; Board of Pharmacy – Dr. Shannon Dowdy of Henrico, pharmacist at Westwood Pharmacy and vice president of clinical services at MAO Pharmacy, Inc.; The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth – Zubin Mehta of Glen Allen, student; Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority – Sharon Alexander of Glen Allen, director of workforce initiatives at Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association; Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority Board of Directors – Dr. Bimaljit Singh Sandhu of Glen Allen, Richmond Gastroenterology Associates; Commonwealth Transportation Board – Joel “Rex” Davis of Glen Allen, president of Davis Oil Company; Art and Architecture Review Board – Anca Lipan of Henrico, studio director/architect at Baskervill; Board of Education – Dr. Amber Northern of Henrico, senior vice-president for research at Thomas B. Fordham Institute; Board of Directors of the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority – Vanessa S. Rakestraw, PhD of Henrico, retired policy analyst from the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services – Dr. Varun Choudhary of Glen Allen, chief medical officer at Talkspace; and Board of Historic Resources – Martin Townes of Henrico, deputy butler at The Executive Mansion of Virginia.