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AN EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF AUGUSTINE, AUSTIN RIDGE , COLONIAL FORGE, EMBREY MILL, LIBERTY KNOLLS, SHELTON KNOLLS & SHELTON WOODS.

AUGUST 2026

NEIGHBORS OF

Courthouse

THE HELMAN FAMILY’S STORY OF RESILIENCE, LOVE, AND COMMUNITY

Photo by Karen Presecan Photography

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Welcome to the August issue of Neighbors of Courthouse!

PUBLICATION TEAM

Publisher: Dori Stewart

Content Executive Assistant to the Publisher: Coordinator: Mallory Hardgrove Crissy Hall

This month, we’re putting the spotlight some well-known neighbors: The Helman Family. If you don’t already know them, you’ll meet Brett and Melissa, who have dedicated their lives to impacting others, and their children, who are following in their parents’ footsteps.

We’re also including some friends with four-feet-- err, paws-- as we highlight the amazing work that the Fredericksburg SPCA does in our own backyard. Learn all about what the Fred SPCA is doing for humans and animals alike, and get your tickets to their 11th Annual Fur Ball Gala on August 22nd!

We also wanted to wish all of our families, students, and teachers in the community the best of luck as we send those kids back to school. Here’s to an incredible school year ahead, filled with loads of lessons, plenty of fun, and a bunch of new friendships!

Happy reading,

Publisher’s Assistant: Valynda Phifer

Photographer: Karen Presecan

Designer: Laura Anderson

Mallory Hardgrove FXBGNeighbors

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Contributing Writer: Karie Owens

Contributing Contributing Writer: Writer: Cherice Taylor Abigail Nyinaku

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Contact: Dori Stewart Email: doristewart@bestversionmedia.com Phone: (540)288-7928

FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS

Have feedback, ideas, or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas, and photos to: doristewart@bestversionmedia.com.

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Table of

CONTENTS

05

Home Improvement Corner Fall Flooring Trends: Refresh Your Home for Back-to-School Season

06

High School Highlights Making the Most of Your Senior Year: 5 Tips for Success from a 2026 Graduate

08

Feature Family The Helman Family’s Story of Resilience, Love, and Community

11

Pet Corner Summer’s Wear and Tear: Why Is Your Dog Limping?

08 12

Charity Spotlight More Than a Shelter: How the Fredericksburg SPCA Builds Community, One Bond at a Time

14

Parents Education Corner Before the Bell Rings: Summer Steps Toward a Great School Year AUGUST 2026 | 3

© Best Version Media EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS ESTATE PLANNING, REAL ESTATE, & BUSINESS LAW Melissa Huntley-Bosco | HB Law, PLC 703-398-2143 hblawplc.com

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Matthew H. Caspersen, D.D.S., M.S. Rappahannock Orthodontics 540-371-2611 drcaspersen.com

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To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact BVM at doristewart@bestversionmedia.com or 540-288-7928.

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4 | NEIGHBORS OF COURTHOUSE

WILLS REVOCABLE TRUSTS SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS

HOME IMPROVEMENT CORNER

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BY KARIE OWENS, PHOTOS COURTESY OF NK FLOORS

FALL FLOORING TRENDS: REFRESH YOUR HOME FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON There’s something about fall in Northern Virginia that makes you want to get your home in order. The kids are heading back to school, schedules are ramping up, and after a summer of muddy shoes and sandy feet, many local families look at their floors and think, “It’s time.” If that’s you, you’re in good company. This is one of our to make a home feel snug and inviting as mornings grow crispfavorite times of year at NK Floors, when we help neighbors freshen up their homes. er — perfect for early school-day routines with coffee in hand.

Community Favorites This Season Warm Tones Are Having a Moment We’re also seeing strong interest in patterned tile for entryThis fall, homeowners are leaning into warm, earthy wood tones — honey oak, ways and mudrooms, a smart, stylish way to handle the daily caramel, and soft walnut hues. These colors bring a cozy, welcoming feel that pairs hustle of backpacks, shoes, and school supplies coming through beautifully with the season and are versatile enough to complement the kind of the door. It’s a small upgrade that makes a big difference for lived-in, family-first homes so many of us have here. busy households.

Durable Floors for Busy Households A Fresh Start, Together With backpacks, cleats, and after-school activities back in full swing, durability is Fall is a season of new routines and new beginnings, and your top of mind. Luxury vinyl plank remains a favorite among the families we work home should feel as ready as your family. Whether you’re refreshwith because it withstands daily traffic, resists scuffs, and cleans up easily after a ing one room or planning a larger update, the NK Floors team long day at practice or a rainy morning drop-off. is always happy to walk you through options and help you find flooring that fits your home and your life this season.

Cozy Textures Underfoot As the weather cools, more folks are bringing warmth back to bedrooms and living Here’s to a warm, welcoming fall for you and yours, from our spaces with soft area rugs and plush carpet in cozy neutral tones. It’s a simple way family at NK Floors to yours.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK NK FLOORS FOR BRINGING YOU THIS MONTH'S HOME IMPROVEMENT CORNER

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HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

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BY ABIGAIL NYINAKU

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SENIOR YEAR:

5 TIPS FOR SUCCESS FROM A 2026 GRADUATE With returning high school seniors getting ready to start their final year of high school, and balancing college preparation with enjoying their last years of teenage life, it’s important to head into the school year with goals, a positive mindset, and clarity. As a 2026 graduate and an incoming freshman at Duke University, I’ve learned a few key lessons that can help you make the most of this busy (and exciting) year!

Tip #1: Start your College and Scholarship Search Early!

Although it may initially seem daunting, beginning by making a list of schools you are interested in and applying to local, regional, and national scholarships as early as possible will help you in the long run! Not only does this give you more time to ensure the applications you submit are high-quality, but it also gives you more time to reflect on your high school journey and what you hope to receive in higher education. Scholarship opportunities are always available to students regardless of their financial backgrounds, and many opportunities go overlooked, so be sure to take advantage of counselors and local resources!

Tip #2: Stay Organized with Application Deadlines!

If you haven’t been utilizing a calendar since the beginning of high school, now is the time to start! Keep a master calendar with application deadlines, test dates, scholarship due dates, and school events. Staying organized ensures you don’t miss important opportunities and helps you to manage your time effectively. Whether you prefer a digital calendar or a physical planner, find a system that works for you and stick to it.

Tip #3: Get Involved with Extracurriculars As a student who was in the Commonwealth Governor’s School, has played the violin since 4th grade, had a part-time job, and was an officer

for multiple student organizations, some of my most valuable advice to seniors would be to get involved with things that you are interested in both in and outside of school! Senior year is the time to deepen your involvement in the activities that you care about, whether it’s clubs, sports, music, volunteering, or even a part-time job- focus on what genuinely interests you.

Meaningful involvement often matters more than simply adding more activities to your list, so remember that it’s okay to step away from commitments that no longer bring you value or take up too much time.

Use your energy where it counts and where you can grow.

Tip #4: Challenge Yourself Academically It can be tempting to take an easier course load during your last year; however, continuing to challenge yourself is important! Colleges look for students who maintain academic rigor throughout high school, so take classes that interest you and push you to grow- whether that’s Advanced

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6 | NEIGHBORS OF COURTHOUSE

© Best Version Media Placement (AP, Dual Enrollment (DE), or other challenging courses. At the same time, remember that balance is key and choose a course load that works for you.

Tip #5: Spend Quality Time with Friends and Family The end of the school year will come by faster than you know it, so make time for the people who matter most! While applications and academics are important, don’t forget to create lasting memories, attend school events, go out with friends, and appreciate moments with your family. These relationships will support you throughout transitions and become some of your most cherished post-grad memories!

Senior year is a unique blend of preparation and reflection that can, at first, be overwhelming.

However, by staying organized, proactive, and intentional, you can set yourself up for success while still enjoying every moment of your final year of high school!

CALLING ALL ASPIRING STUDENT WRITERS!

BY MALLORY HARDGROVE

Are you passionate about writing and sharing stories from your high school?

We’re seeking talented student interns to craft engaging articles spotlighting students and events happening at Colonial Forge. Unfortunately, our amazing intern, Abigail Nyinaku, graduated in May and is headed to Duke this month (congrats, Abi!), so we need to find someone to fill her shoes. This is your chance to gain valuable writing experience, enhance your resume, and get paid for your creativity!

Whether you love highlighting sports, events, or unique student achievements, we want your voice to be heard. Express your interest by sending an email explaining why you’d like to write for Neighbors of Courthouse, your graduation year, and include a short writing sample. Please send your email to dori.stewart@bestversionmedia.com for consideration.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to share your perspective at Colonial Forge High School while earning recognition in your community and some extra cash.

Apply today!

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FEATURE FAMILY

THE HELMAN FAMILY’S STORY OF RESILIENCE, LOVE, AND COMMUNITY

and student teaching before eventually reuniting in Northern Virginia.

Two Careers Built on Serving Others Education runs deep in the Helman household, and both Brett and Melissa built their paths around serving students. Brett attended Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, where he studied secondary education and mathematics while playing football, before earning his master’s in school administration. Melissa studied mathematics at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where she also founded and captained a dance team, later earning her own master’s degree from George Mason University.

Brett moved to Northern Virginia in 2009 to begin teaching secondary math with Prince William County Public Schools, coaching track and football along the way. After a year as an assistant principal in Stafford County, he returned to Prince William County Public Schools, where he now serves as Supervisor of Virtual Prince William, the division’s online high school.

Melissa’s path was similarly devoted to students and their interests outside the classroom. She taught middle school math, created a school dance team, and spent a decade as an instructional technology coach. In 2023, she made a pivotal career change. That shift came after she decided to leave education to gain more flexibility. It allowed her to become an instructional designer, first for the Marine Corps and now as an Instructional Technologist at Forrester Research, working full-time from home.

BY MALLORY HARDGROVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAREN PRESECAN PHOTOGRAPHY

In the Embrey Mill neighborhood of Stafford, Virginia, few families embody community as fully as the Helmans. Brett and Melissa Helman, both 40, have spent nearly a decade building not just a home for their two daughters, Aubrey (11) and Mackenzie (7), but a life defined by resilience, love, and deep neighborhood ties.

A Love Story Rooted in Friendship Brett and Melissa’s story began long before Stafford, long before careers in education, and long before two daughters who now define their world. The two met in middle school and stayed close throughout their tenure at Hempfield High School, in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, running in the same friend group for years. It wasn’t until senior year, when they shared lunch and study hall together, that their friendship began to change.

“We began officially dating the summer after high school graduation,” the couple shared, recalling that their first official date was a screening of The Notebook — a fittingly romantic beginning to a partnership that would soon be tested by distance. Shortly after, the two headed off to colleges two hours apart and spent the next four years juggling multiple extracurriculars, their relationship, 8 | NEIGHBORS OF COURTHOUSE

Raising Resilient Kids Perhaps no part of the Helman family’s story speaks to their resilience more than Aubrey’s journey. Born after a difficult delivery that left her oxygen-deprived, Aubrey spent 17 days in the NICU, where doctors discovered a brain bleed, a skull fracture, and moderate HIE. She was later diagnosed as intellectually disabled, apraxic, epileptic, and living with mild cerebral palsy. Her story is one of remarkable determination.

“She may never walk, talk, or have a quality of life,” doctors told the family when Aubrey was just eight days old. Today, that grim prediction couldn’t feel further from the truth.

Aubrey now competes in Special Olympics track and basketball, plays in Stafford’s TOPSoccer program, and takes the field in The Miracle League’s baseball program. She dances, does gymnastics, and loves board games, all while attending weekly therapies. In fall 2024, the family raised funds — with help from local photographer Pick Me Up Love Photo and Bee Happy Nutrition — to send Aubrey through an eight-week intensive MeRT therapy program near Dulles,

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driving after school five days a week to support her cognitive and speech development.

Through it all, one thing has remained constant.

“She has done all of this with a smile on her face and is known for her positive and happy demeanor everywhere she goes,” her family said proudly. That spirit recently earned Aubrey her neighborhood’s first-ever Youth Award for Overcoming Adversity — a fitting tribute to a girl who has spent her life rewriting what was thought possible.

If Aubrey is the heart of quiet perseverance, her younger sister Mackenzie is the spark of boundless energy. A rising second grader in Stafford County Schools, Mackenzie is, as her parents describe her, “a fierce advocate for her older sister.” The two share a bond — and even their own private language — that goes beyond typical sisterhood.

Mackenzie’s talents seem to know no bounds.

She sings, dances, plays soccer and basketball, does gymnastics, paints, and crafts, and has recently taken an interest in learning guitar and piano. Her favorite subject? “Math,” her parents note, “and recess, of course.”

And we can’t forget their four-legged kid either.

The family’s 13-year-old Yorkie Poo, Brooks, who was named after former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik, completes the family.

Neighbors Who Feel Like Family Ask the Helmans what they love most about their community, and the answer comes without hesitation. “We love that we have been able to make such amazing friends and really feel embedded in the community,” they said of Embrey Mill, where they built their home in March 2017 after outgrowing a townhome in Woodbridge.

Brett has become something of a neighborhood legend — he was one of the original members of Embrey Mill’s viral 2020 bike-riding trike group.

But the family’s community ties run far deeper than a single viral moment.

“Our group of neighbors is constantly together crafting, celebrating birthdays, baby showers, doing egg hunts together, having block parties, and attending the neighborhood events together,” the Helmans shared. That closeness has meant everything during life’s hardest moments. “Some of our neighbors have helped us through some of the hardest years and events in our lives,” they said, “and we are so thankful for them.”

The couple gives back in tangible ways too, offering math tutoring to neighborhood children — a natural extension of two careers spent in classrooms.

A Family in Constant Motion Whether it’s Brett running marathons and coaching the neighborhood’s coed softball team, Melissa returning to her dance roots at Virtuous Dance Studio, or the whole family kayaking at Lake Anna or strolling through downtown Fredericksburg for ice cream at Blue Cow, the Helmans live a life defined by connection, gratitude, and resilience.

From middle school to middle age — and from classmates to a family rooted in resilience, talent, and deep neighborhood ties — the Helman family’s story shows that community is more than where you live; it is who shows up when it matters most. Their story leaves a lasting reminder that resilience and community are built together, one showing up at a time.

AUGUST 2026 | 9

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Our mission is simple: provide trusted wellness education that helps people build healthier lives with confidence. One way F3 does this is within our local PD16 Community as an Expert Wellness Contributor to the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Blog.

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PET CORNER

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BY DR. KATRINA SPIES, DVM, CHPV, CCRV, CVA, CVPP

SUMMER’S WEAR AND TEAR:

WHY IS YOUR DOG LIMPING? If your dog spent the last few months sprinting through the backyard, hiking with you, or roughhousing at the dog park, they have been living their best summer life. By the time August rolls around, all that high-impact fun can take a toll. It is a common myth that mobility issues are strictly for older dogs. Whether you have a clumsy puppy, an athletic weekend warrior, or a senior pet, a summer injury can happen to any dog at any age.

What Can Cause a Limp?

Several conditions show up frequently this time of year: • Cruciate Injuries: The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the canine ACL. A sudden pivot or slip can cause it to stretch or tear, leading to sudden hindlimb lameness.

• Soft Tissue Injury: Repetitive sprinting or fence-running can overextend tendons and muscles, especially in the neck and groin area (iliopsoas).

• IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease): A hard landing off a deck can cause a spinal disc to bulge or herniate. This mimics a leg injury but causes sudden pain and weakness.

• Arthritis Flares: Increased activity can worsen underlying joint inflammation at any age.

• Environmental Hazards: As we discussed last month, copperheads are active here throughout the summer. A snake bite, splinters, torn nails, or wounds to paw pads can also cause lameness.

• Hidden Systemic Issues: Tick-borne diseases like Lyme frequently cause shifting leg lameness, while less common issues like bone tumors can also present as a persistent, unresolved limp.

Triage: Give It Time, Appointment, or ER? • Give it time (24 to 48 hours): If the limp is mild, your dog bears weight, and they are eating normally, it’s appropriate to wait and see if the lameness improves.

Restrict activity completely, using a short leash for bathroom breaks only, and apply a towel-wrapped ice pack for 5 to 10 minutes. Never give human medications like ibuprofen or Aleve, as they are highly toxic to dogs, and even milder options like aspirin can interact with medications your vet may prescribe.

• Make an appointment: If the limp persists beyond a day or two, comes and goes, or worsens gradually, make an appointment with your primary care veterinarian.

• Head to the ER: Seek care immediately if your dog is non-weight-bearing, shows neurological changes like knuckling or dragging a limb, or displays severe pain such as constant vocalizing or guarding the painful area.

What Happens at the Vet A proper workup starts with an orthopedic exam to check joint stability, alongside a neurologic exam to rule out spinal cord issues like IVDD. X-rays directly evaluate bones and joints, and advanced imaging, such as an MRI, may follow if surgery is required.

Because we often prescribe NSAIDs, expect baseline bloodwork to confirm the liver and kidneys are healthy enough to process the medication. We also routinely run a 4Dx test to screen for tick-borne diseases during peak season.

Where Integrative Medicine Comes In If you read my column regularly, you know I practice as both an ER veterinarian and an integrative medicine practitioner. Once we establish a diagnosis, conventional treatment is often just the first layer of care. Medications excel at blunting acute pain, but true

healing requires addressing the entire body, which is where an integrative approach shines.

Rather than just resting a patient and waiting for time to pass, we use specific modalities to target different aspects of recovery. Targeted laser therapy uses light energy to stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation at the source. Medical acupuncture relieves pain and releases the compensatory muscle spasms that build up in the neck and back when a dog shifts weight off an injured limb. And rather than relying purely on crate confinement, controlled rehabilitation introduces gentle movement early on to preserve muscle mass and prevent chronic stiffness.

The Bottom Line Do not wait out a limp indefinitely. A quick assessment catches small issues before they become major ones, keeping your pet comfortable and moving well into autumn.

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Dr. Katrina Spies, DVM, CHPV, CCRV, CVA, CVPP 540-300-1213 540-300-1213 540-300-1213 www.comfortpaws.com comfortpaws.com www.comfortpaws.com info@comfortpaws.com info@comfortpaws.com info@comfortpaws.com ComfortPawsLLC

AUGUST 2026 | 11

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CHARIT Y SPOTLIGHT

MORE THAN A SHELTER: HOW THE FREDERICKSBURG SPCA BUILDS COMMUNITY, ONE BOND AT A TIME

BY MALLORY HARDGROVE • PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FREDERICKSBURG SPCA

Every August, animal shelters across the country take part in national campaigns designed to find loving homes for animals waiting in shelters and rescues. Maybe you’ve heard of “Clear the Shelters” month or have seen advertisements in the past. Locally– and running from August through October– the Fredericksburg SPCA is participating in The Rescue Effect, which is the ASPCA’s national adoption campaign focused on increasing adoptions and engaging the public. The ASPCA provides grants to participating shelters and rescue organizations to help cover adoption fees and support operations with many organizations hosting fee-waived adoption events.

This year, the Fredericksburg SPCA was awarded one of the ASPCA grants and will be hosting six fee-waived adoption events (two per month) from August through October. For the organization, the initiative extends their own mission, one rooted in the belief that saving animals also means supporting the people who love them.

“The Fredericksburg SPCA strives to be more than an animal shelter,” says Von Young, Director of Communications & Marketing. “We are a community resource dedicated to strengthening the bond between people and their pets.” That philosophy shapes everything the organization does, from emergency pet food assistance to low-cost

veterinary care, all designed with one goal in mind: keeping families and their pets together whenever possible.

Young’s path to animal welfare wasn’t a straight line. Growing up, veterinary medicine and marine biology seemed like the only ways to build a career around animals — and neither fit. A love of photography, a childhood spent smuggling stray cats past a patient mother, and later a career photographing weddings and events eventually led to a job with a D.C. and Los Angeles company that partnered with animal rescues. From there, the pull toward nonprofit work became impossible to ignore. This July marked Young’s nine-year anniversary with the Fredericksburg SPCA. Much of that journey, Young says, was shaped by former Deputy Director Dalia Salah, who created the organization’s People Empowered Through Support (PETS) Program. “She replaced judgment with compassion, championed trauma-informed care and resilience, and led with courage and conviction at a time when fear and tradition often drove the conversation,” Young recalls. That mentorship still guides the way the Fred SPCA approaches its work today — with empathy first, and judgment nowhere in the equation.

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It’s a mindset that pushes back against a tired stereotype in animal welfare. “There is a common joke in animal welfare that people get involved because they ‘love animals and hate people,’ but that couldn’t be further from the truth at the Fredericksburg SPCA,” Young explains. Without the humans — the fosters, volunteers, donors, and pet owners doing their best in hard circumstances — there is no animal welfare at all.

That’s part of why national adoption events like the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect resonate so strongly with the organization’s broader mission. August isn’t just about emptying kennels for a month; it’s about widening the door to compassion and giving overburdened municipal shelters some breathing room. The Fredericksburg SPCA prioritizes intake and transfer support for District 16 communities, including Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Stafford, King George, and Caroline County, and serves as a placement hub during natural disasters and large-scale cruelty cases across the region and beyond.

As Young puts it, “Adoption is not the only way to save lives. It takes a village.” Adoption is one piece of that village-building — a chance for the community to step in now, open their homes, and make space for the next animal in need.

The work isn’t without its lighter, more heartwarming moments. Young remembers a Valentine’s Day “puppy party” fundraiser, where a stern-looking company executive turned out to be quietly grieving his late dog — until a puppy at the event reminded him of her. He submitted an adoption application before the party even ended. Years later, his wife became the Fred SPCA’s Executive Director. “It’s a story that has always stayed with me of unexpected healing, connection, and the quiet ways animals find their way into our lives when we need them most,” Young says.

Beyond potentially finding a new family member through sponsored adoption events, the community can look forward to the Fredericksburg SPCA’s biggest fundraiser of the year: the 11th Annual Fur Ball Gala, themed “A Fairy Tail Gala,” set for August 22, 2026, at the Fredericksburg Convention Center. Tickets and sponsorship details are available at fredspca.org/furball, and organizers note the event sells out every year.

For those looking to get involved beyond adoption, opportunities abound. “Don’t be afraid to get involved,” Young says, “there truly is a place for everyone in animal welfare” — whether that means fostering,

volunteering, donating supplies, or simply showing up to an event.

This fall, as shelters nationwide clear space for animals in need, the Fredericksburg SPCA invites the community to be part of the solution — proving, once again, that it truly does take a village.

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BY CHERICE TAYLOR

BEFORE THE BELL RINGS: SUMMER STEPS TOWARD A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR Cherice Taylor, M.A. Education Administration, is a Part-Time Career Advisor for Germanna Community College. She is the 2022-2023 Past President of the Rotary Club of Stafford and a Charter Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Psi Psi Omega Chapter. She is a relationship builder, poet and a former educator with over 10 years experience at the preschool through high school levels. Cherice earned her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and her Masters in Education Administration from California State University- Dominguez Hills. She is married to LCDR Eric Taylor (retired) and a mother of four sons. A positive attitude and the belief that sharing pearls of wisdom along with the Golden Rule allows for everyone to improve and reach their personal goals. This is demonstrated in the podcast show that she hosts, Time Matters Podcast! Cherice believes that if we all do better, then we all do better, and that is why Cherice is involved in the community.

Relax, recharge, and take small steps now to support your student’s future success. Explore a few back-to-school details today and make this summer count.

Summer Still Matters It’s still summertime, and most of us don’t want to think about back‑to‑school anything. Yet, while we can ignore the inevitable, we can also strategize and enjoy the rest of the summer while quietly taking care of a few back‑to‑school details.

Students and parents or guardians are partners with educators, counselors, and administrators in helping each student reach their full potential and prepare for life after high school.

When Should We Start Thinking About Life After High School?

Some say junior or senior year. Others say eighth grade. But is it ever too early to plan and prepare for the future?

Some people say “yes”; others “no.” I believe it’s never too early to plan for the future. What matters most is that rising freshmen earn the best grades they can and take advantage of the opportunities their high school offers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes Employment Projections (2024–2034) that outline hundreds of occupational fields, education requirements, and growth trends. Reviewing this data can help families guide their children as they explore interests and emerging career paths.

As I often say on the Time Matters Podcast, how you spend your time matters. Here’s why: • Attendance in school correlates with attendance in college classes, apprenticeships, and the workforce.

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• Participation in school activities connects to involvement in higher‑education or career opportunities.

• Volunteering, babysitting, or part‑time work builds civic engagement and a strong work ethic.

Building Strong Foundations The transition to high school can be challenging, but the classes and grades earned now form the foundation for future coursework — including prerequisites for careers that may not even exist yet.

And yes, those foundational skills from elementary and middle school matter too. They’re the building blocks for success in high school and beyond.

Resources to Explore Here are a few tools families can explore to help K‑12 students discover career interests and college pathways. The Virginia Department of Education offers many of these resources: • Career Cluster Survey • CollegeBoard.org • Virginia Education Wizard • Virginia Career View • Schoolinks, Naviance, etc.

• Khan Academy • SOLPass Keep Learning, Keep Listening For additional tips and insights from professionals across industries, follow the Time Matters Podcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and iHeart, and listen for practical ideas you can use today.

A Final Thought Enjoy the rest of your summer — and plan to attend your child’s school open house. Mark it now and take that important step toward an awesome 2026–2027 school year!

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