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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, INFANT FEEDING DIFFICULTIES & LASER FRENECTOMY Dr. Rishita Jaju | Smile Wonders 571-350-3663 | smilewonders.com COLLEGE CONSULTING & TUTORING SERVICES Elaina Mercatoris | Principia Education 703-442-4700 | www.principiaeducation.com

PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTICS Gema Island | Island Children Dentistry & Orthodontics 703-790-1320 | www.islandchildrensdentistry.com

BUSINESS BROKER Erika Baez-Grimes | Business Coach Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional - The BPH Group, LLC 804.750.3008 | www.NovaBusinessInquiry.com

LIGHT MANAGEMENT & HOME COMFORT EXPERTS Tsykhnenko Viktoriia & Marina Leonova | New Blackout (571) 245 5744 | www.newblackout.com FINANCIAL WELLNESS Lafayette Federal Credit Union Team Lafayette Federal Credit Union 240.747.3166 | www.lfcu.org

PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST, LASH ARTIST Jennifer N. Phung | Touch of Beauty Inc. (301) 346-3098 | MyTouchOfBeauty.com

REAL ESTATE BROKER Puneet Bhagi | Ikon Realty 703-346-2293 | www.ikonrealtydmv.com

LUXURY JEWELRY Alicia Villars | Helvetia 703-401-9679 | www.Helvetiajewelry.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT Michelle Hundley, JD, CFP® | CEO and Co-Founder www.triowm.com | Trio Wealth Management, LLC

ESTATE PLANNING Justine Sennott, Esq. PJI Law 703-865-6100 | www.pjilaw.com

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© Best Version Media PUBLICATION TEAM Publisher: Gloria Fonseca Publisher Assistant: Daniela Banegas Designer: Hannah Argall Contributing Writer: Sofia Roman Social Media Administrator: Andrea Simon Photographer: Myrtle Roy ADVERTISING Contact: Gloria Fonseca Email: gbruni@bestversionmedia.com Phone: 703-868-8071 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 bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: gbruni@bestversionmedia.com. CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINE (5 days prior to the Submission Deadline; remember Content Submission Deadline dates of the 20th or later refer to a magazine edition 2 months out.)

Content Due Edition December 10 ...........................................................................January January 10.............................................................................. February February 10 ..................................................................................March March 10.............................................................................................April April 10..................................................................................................May May 10 .................................................................................................June June 10 ...................................................................................................July July 10 ............................................................................................ August August 10 ............................................................................September September 10 ..........................................................................October October 10 .......................................................................... November November 10 ..................................................................... December Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2026 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

HELLO, SEPTEMBER! There is something about September that always feels like a fresh start. As fall begins to open our doors, I love watching the leaves slowly change and seeing our beautiful Great Falls community transform into an entirely different view. The same streets, the same homes, the same places we pass every day suddenly become a new canvas filled with color. And who better to appreciate that than an artist? This month, we introduce you to Begoña Morton, a talented local artist who has enjoyed creating with color since she was very young. Her journey has taken her from Barcelona and Valencia to different parts of Europe and eventually here, to Great Falls—a community and landscape that continue to inspire her work. I hope you take a moment to read her story and perhaps see our beautiful surroundings a little differently through her eyes. But keep turning the pages, because we have another story that I think you will love! Meet three local quarterbacks whose friendship started long before Friday night football. Alexander Mahmood, Carter Reynolds, and William Ayoub grew up together and are now playing quarterback for three different area high schools. And yes, pay attention—they might just be your neighbors! Their story is about much more than football. It is about friendship, hard work, growing up, and the community that has been cheering them on along the way. As always, we also want Great Falls Living to bring you information you can actually use. Inside this issue, you’ll find insights on what is happening in real estate, estate planning, smart financial guidance from Lafayette Federal Credit Union, and our newest monthly column, The Wealth Perspective, featuring expert insights from Trio Wealth Management. My goal has always been simple: create a magazine where there is something for everyone—stories that make you smile, information that helps you make better decisions, and, most importantly, opportunities to discover and support the incredible people and businesses around us. And here is one small thing we can all do: follow, like, share, and recommend our local businesses. It takes only a few seconds, but for a small business, that little gesture can mean so much. Enjoy September, enjoy the changing colors, and enjoy this issue! See you around Great Falls,

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FROM THE SOCIAL DESK By ANDREA SIMON Social Media Administrator There’s something special about seeing the world through someone else’s creativity. Art has a beautiful way of making us notice things we might otherwise overlook.

GREAT FALLS LIVING | 3

Inside the Colorful, International World of a Great Falls Artist By SOFIA ROMAN | Professional photos by MYRTLE ROY

Morning arrives beautifully in Begoña Morton’s studio in Great Falls. With windows facing east, west and south, sunlight moves through the space throughout the day, illuminating canvases, works in progress and the small gallery that welcomes visitors on the ground floor. Sometimes, Morton is there early enough to watch the sunrise. She doesn’t even have to step outside to get there. “I even have a ‘secret passage’ from my bedroom leading directly to the studio,” she says. “When I wake up early, as I often do, I can go directly into my studio to begin painting.” It is a charming detail, but also a fitting metaphor for a woman whose art has never been separate from her life. From childhood

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afternoons at a prestigious art academy in Spain to summers along the Mediterranean, a career in international trade, motherhood, travel and eventually a home in Great Falls, creativity has followed Morton across countries, careers and decades. Today, it all converges on her canvases.

AN ARTIST FROM THE BEGINNING Begoña Morton was born in Barcelona, but it was Valencia that witnessed the birth of the artist within her. Her artistic education started remarkably early. When Morton was in third grade, a teacher approached her parents and told them their daughter possessed a natural artistic talent worth nurturing. As luck would have it, the family lived just one block from one of

Spain’s prestigious fine art academies. Her parents enrolled her. What began as an after school activity soon became a serious artistic education. Morton found herself learning alongside adults, studying under accomplished artists and gradually progressing through different media before reaching oil painting. “In retrospect, learning in that environment…taught me how to be an artist,” she says. “At that point I knew art would always be part of my life.” Creativity was already familiar territory at home. Her father, an engineer by training, taught himself to paint and became a talented artist in his own right. Her mother studied traditional ceramic painting at university. Both became important influences in Morton’s artistic development. And although Morton cannot identify the first painting that convinced her she wanted to become an artist, evidence of those early years remains: her mother still displays several of her childhood paintings. FROM ECONOMICS BACK TO THE EASEL Art remained a constant even as Morton initially followed another professional path. After earning a master’s degree in international trade, she built a career in Europe before moving with her family to the United States in 2009. The relocation brought significant changes, including the opportunity to reconsider what she wanted professionally. Gradually, painting moved from passion to priority. “After finding my style and realizing how much I enjoy creating, I decided to dedicate myself full time to painting,” Morton says. Her classical training is immediately evident in her work. Light and shadow, perspective, color, contrast and meticulous detail define paintings that range from landscapes to still lifes. Influences stretch across centuries, from the Dutch Masters and Spanish Baroque tradition to Joaquín Sorolla and Diego Velázquez.

THEN PICASSO DISRUPTED EVERYTHING. In 2018, Morton visited the “Picasso’s Kitchen” exhibition in Barcelona, which brought together more than 180 works exploring food and still life throughout the artist’s career. The experience sparked something unexpected. “I suddenly felt the urge to create something new, something completely different that I had never seen before,” she recalls. “To paint bigger and bolder, and to express myself in a more personal and individualistic way.” That impulse became her MODERN Series. The works combine Morton’s realistic classical oil paintings with larger semi abstract acrylic compositions. Silhouettes, muted

GREAT FALLS LIVING | 5

© Best Version Media inspiration. Morton incorporates objets trouvés, or found objects, along with antiques and unexpected treasures into her still life arrangements. In this way, pieces of the community and everyday life around her become part of the stories she tells through paint. Great Falls itself has also become both a subject and a source of inspiration. Morton’s interpretation of the community’s iconic waterfalls was selected by the Great Falls Citizens Association for its first holiday ornament, while the Great Falls Trailblazers featured another of her images of the falls on the T shirts for their Fourth of July 5K Run. Her work has also been commissioned by familiar names within the community. TD Bank commissioned Morton to create two

colors and rough drawings coexist with highly detailed traditional imagery on a single canvas. For Morton, the juxtaposition creates a bridge between artistic worlds and between centuries. Her classical paintings, she hopes, evoke “history, beauty and eternity.” Her modern pieces ask something different of the viewer. “I want viewers to see their own story reflected in the painting,” she says, “to make a connection with its realistic, classic elements, while letting their minds explore and finish the abstract portions.” Finding that distinctive style is the accomplishment she considers her proudest: creating an approach she sees as a new genre of art.

GREAT FALLS ON THE CANVAS For a family accustomed to international life, Northern Virginia offered an appealing combination: exceptional schools, nature, cultural institutions, proximity to a major airport and an internationally minded population. But it was community that ultimately transformed Great Falls from a location into home. “The welcoming community,” Morton says, is perhaps the most important reason Great Falls became the right place for her family. That sense of belonging has also found its way onto her canvases, sometimes quite literally. Because fruits and vegetables frequently appear in her compositions, Morton can often be found searching the Great Falls Farmers Market for seasonal produce worthy of a painting. “You will typically see me rummaging around any place where I can find fresh fruits and vegetables to paint,” she says. Local shops and antique markets provide another source of

large format oil paintings of the Great Falls for the grand opening of its local branch. The Old Brogue, a Great Falls institution, commissioned a large format oil depicting iconic Irish landscapes, now displayed on the porch of the main restaurant. From community traditions and local celebrations to artwork displayed in familiar gathering places, Morton’s work has become increasingly intertwined with the landscape and identity of Great Falls. That relationship extends far beyond the canvas. This October will mark Morton’s 15th year participating in the Great Falls Studio Tour as a member of Great Falls Studios, opening her workspace to neighbors and visitors. She also participates annually in McLean’s MPAartfest and has donated paintings to local schools, organizations and charitable causes, including Celebrate Great Falls. “Community support is essential for artists, providing invaluable feedback and opportunities,” she says. “In return, artists contribute to their local community’s culture.” Her own studio embodies that philosophy. Rather than an isolated artist’s retreat, it is a space often filled with friends, family and

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visitors, particularly during the Studio Tour, but also as Morton develops new projects. In many ways, it reflects the relationship she has built with Great Falls itself: a place where art, community and everyday life naturally come together.

CHASING THE LIGHT If Great Falls grounds Morton, summers in Europe replenish her creatively. Her family spends the season in Spain, where Morton paints from their home on the coast outside Barcelona. There, the Mediterranean meets cava vineyards, and the ingredients that populate her canvases seem to be everywhere: lemons, peaches, figs, grapes, cherries and strawberries. There are family gatherings, favorite foods, friends and museum visits. Then she returns to Virginia carrying new ideas. “Drawing on the best the U.S. and Europe have to offer always results in an eclectic and enriching spur of creativity from that unique confluence of cultures,” she says. Food is an especially consistent thread. It is something to paint, certainly, but also something to prepare and share. When Morton isn't working in her studio, she enjoys cooking favorite recipes and spending time with family. She also finds inspiration outdoors, hiking at Great Falls National Park with a close group of friends and participating in community organizations and charitable events, including activities organized by the Great Falls Women’s Club. Even her holidays become another canvas. One thing people may be surprised to discover about Morton is that she hand paints holiday ornaments. Her creations have appeared at local Great Falls holiday shows, and last year she participated for the first time

in Strathmore’s Museums & Makers Holiday Market in Bethesda. It seems almost anything can become an artistic surface in Morton’s hands.

LIFE BETWEEN WORLDS Classic and contemporary. Europe and America. Realism and abstraction. Light and darkness. Tradition and experimentation. Morton’s life has unfolded between worlds, and rather than choosing one over another, she has learned to bring them together. The cultures she has experienced, the traditions she inherited and the community she now calls home have all found a place in her life and, ultimately, on her canvases. And tomorrow morning, if inspiration arrives early, there is always that secret passage waiting to take her back to the canvas.

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The Healing Power of Horses

How Lift Me Up! is creating connection, con dence and healing through equine-assisted services By DANA A. JOHNSTON, Executive Director, Lift Me Up! | Photos by MYRTLE ROY

As the sun rises at Lift Me Up! on Georgetown Pike, the day is already beginning. Staff and volunteers bring in the horses, prepare their feed, groom and saddle those participating in therapeutic riding, and ready others for groundwork and wellness sessions.

That honesty is part of what makes horses such unique therapeutic partners.

Soon, children and adults begin arriving. Some are building strength and coordination. Others are navigating intellectual or developmental challenges, recovering from trauma or brain injury, living with dementia, or searching for a place where they can feel calm, confident and connected.

Lift Me Up! is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center providing equine-assisted programs for children and adults living with a range of physical, intellectual and emotional challenges.

Their circumstances may be different, but they share something important: the opportunity to experience the remarkable connection between a person and a horse. There is something about standing next to a 1,000-pound animal that can quiet the noise in a person's head. Horses do not ask questions or judge, and they do not need words. They simply respond, moment by moment, to what is in front of them.

MORE THAN RIDING

Our Therapeutic Riding program focuses on developing confidence, trust and emotional regulation while supporting physical development. The rhythmic, three-dimensional movement of a walking horse engages the rider's body and can support balance, coordination, core strength and postural control. But meaningful connections don't always happen in the saddle. At our Equine-Facilitated Wellness Center on Kelso Road, participants engage in unmounted activities designed to encourage self-awareness, communication, problem-solving and confidence.

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© Best Version Media VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS For veterans and first responders, communicating difficult experiences is not always easy. Working with a horse offers another avenue for connection, one that doesn't depend entirely on conversation. Horses are highly responsive to movement and body language. Participants learn to become more aware of their own communication and emotional state as they establish trust with the animal in front of them. Sometimes progress begins with something as simple as approaching a horse, offering a hand and discovering that trust can be built one interaction at a time.

THE SILVER HERD Some of our smallest horses are creating especially meaningful moments. Lift Me Up! developed The Silver Herd to give residents of retirement, assisted living and memory care communities the opportunity to experience the companionship of our three miniature horses. For individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, activities such as grooming, touching and feeding a horse provide opportunities for sensory engagement and connection without relying solely on memory or verbal communication. There is no expectation to remember a name or tell a story. Participants can simply experience the moment in front of them.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CONNECTION For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, equine-assisted activities can provide opportunities to work toward physical, social and personal goals .

A session might involve riding, grooming, feeding or leading a horse. Each activity presents its own challenge and opportunity. Guiding a horse requires communication. Grooming requires focus and coordination. Riding engages the body while building confidence. And learning to communicate with and care for an animal much larger than themselves can create an extraordinary sense of accomplishment.

THE COMMON THREAD Whether it's a child experiencing the joy of riding, a veteran finding a quiet moment beside a horse, or an older adult reaching out to one of our miniature horses, the common threads are remarkably similar:

TRUST. PRESENCE. CONNECTION. CONFIDENCE. Horses are not a replacement for medical, psychological or rehabilitative care. Equine-assisted services can instead complement other forms of support by creating an environment where people can connect, learn and grow. At Lift Me Up!, we have the privilege of witnessing those moments every day. Sometimes they are milestones. Other times, they are as simple as a relaxed hand against a horse's neck, a moment of trust, or a smile when words cannot come. And very often, there is a horse waiting there to meet them. For more information, visit www.liftmeup.org or email: info@ liftmeup.org

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© Best Version Media ESTATE PLANNING EXPERT Other clients, like David, planned ahead. By creating a revocable living trust and reviewing his beneficiary designations, he ensured most of his assets avoided probate. His family was able to settle his estate more efficiently, maintain their privacy, and focus on one another instead of court proceedings. Stories like these illustrate why we encourage every client to have a comprehensive estate plan. In Virginia, probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets. While sometimes necessary, probate often takes months to complete. Court costs, attorney fees, and administrative expenses can reduce an estate’s value, and because probate is public, your family’s financial affairs may become part of the public record.

How We Help Virginia Families Avoid Probate By JUSTINE SENOTT, Senior Attorney, Estate Planning Department Lead, PJI Law

One of the most common questions we hear at PJI Law is, “How can I help my family avoid probate?” It’s an important question because, while probate serves a legal purpose, it can also create unnecessary stress, expense, and delays during an already difficult time. We’ve worked with many families navigating probate after the loss of a loved one. Clients like Susan come to us after being named executor of a parent’s estate, only to discover how overwhelming the process can be. Instead of focusing on her family, Susan spent months gathering financial records, filing court documents, responding to creditors, and paying legal and administrative fees. More than a year passed before her father’s estate was settled.

Many people are surprised to learn that a will alone does not avoid probate. A will remains essential because it names guardians for minor children and appoints a personal representative, but assets passing under a will generally must still go through probate. Fortunately, several strategies can help minimize or avoid probate. Assets that commonly pass outside probate include jointly owned property with rights of survivorship, life insurance and retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries, payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts, and assets properly titled in a trust. One of the most effective tools is a revocable living trust. By transferring assets into the trust during your lifetime, you retain control while making it possible for your successor trustee to distribute those assets without probate. Thoughtful estate planning can reduce stress, preserve privacy, and make the administration of your estate as smooth as possible for the people you love. If you're ready to explore whether a trust is right for you, I invite you to call PJI Law at (703) 865-6100 or visit www.pjilaw.com to schedule a complimentary, confidential estate planning consultation.

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Assumable Mortgages: The Hidden Opportunity in Today’s Housing Market By JENNIFER JO J.D. | REALTOR | C.I.P.S.

With mortgage rates significantly higher than they were just a few years ago, buyers are looking for creative ways to make homeownership more affordable. One option gaining renewed attention is the assumable mortgage, a financing tool that can potentially save buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month. I have helped clients navigate this process multiple times. While an assumption can be more challenging than a traditional transaction, the potential savings can make it well worth the effort.

WHAT IS AN ASSUMABLE MORTGAGE? An assumable mortgage allows a qualified buyer to take over the seller’s existing home loan, including its interest rate, remaining balance and repayment terms. For example, if a homeowner secured a mortgage at 2.75%, a qualified buyer may be able to assume that loan instead of financing the purchase entirely at today’s higher rates. The most common assumable loans are FHA, VA and USDA loans. Most conventional mortgages are not assumable, so eligibility should always be verified with the loan servicer.

WHY IT MATTERS The biggest advantage is the lower interest rate. A difference of just a few percentage points can significantly reduce monthly payments and create substantial long-term savings. For sellers, an assumable low-interest mortgage can also be a powerful marketing advantage, helping a property stand out in a competitive market. There is a catch: buyers typically must cover the difference between the purchase price and the remaining loan balance, known as the equity gap. This may require cash or secondary financing. When considering how to bridge that difference, buyers should consult an experienced lender about their individual situation. Katie Simmons Hickey of the Simmons Group at CrossCountry Mortgage is an excellent local resource and can be reached at 703-300-1590 or katie.hickey@ccm.com.

TWO LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES I currently represent two properties offering buyers access to historically low assumable mortgage rates. Great Falls: Near Riverbend Country Club, Fleur House is a custom French Provincial home listed at $2 million, with an assumable VA loan balance of approximately $800,000 at 2.75%. Because the owners do not intend to retain their VA entitlement, the assumption is available to any qualified buyer. For comparison, principal and interest on $800,000 at 2.75% would be approximately $3,266 per month, compared with approximately $5,058 at 6.5%—a difference of roughly $1,800 per month. Reston Town Center: A two-bedroom residence at Midtown North is listed at $790,000 with an assumable VA loan balance of approximately $460,000 at 2.25%. Because the seller intends to retain the VA benefit, this opportunity is available to qualified veterans. On that $460,000 balance, estimated principal and interest at 2.25% would be approximately $1,758 per month, compared with approximately $2,908 at 6.5%—a savings of roughly $1,150 per month.

IS AN ASSUMABLE MORTGAGE RIGHT FOR YOU? Assumable mortgages are not right for everyone. Buyers must qualify, the loan servicer must approve the assumption, and the equity gap may require additional financing. But when the numbers work, the savings can be significant. For buyers, an assumable mortgage can provide access to an interest rate that may no longer be available in today’s market. For sellers, it can become a compelling feature that differentiates a property. In the right situation, an assumable mortgage may be one of the most valuable—and overlooked—tools in today’s real estate market. If you are curious whether a home qualifies for a loan assumption or how an assumable mortgage could affect your buying or selling strategy, I am happy to walk you through the options.

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THREE FRIENDS. THREE TEAMS. ONE GREAT FALLS. By MARIANNE BANE | Photos by JIM HALLING PHOTOGRAPHY

Long before there were varsity jerseys, Friday night lights or coaches trusting them to lead an offense, there was recess.

years, coached by Alexander’s father. Carter and Alexander also played basketball together.

On the playground at Forestville Elementary School, Alexander Mahmood, Carter Reynolds and William Ayoub were simply three Great Falls kids who loved sports. Football, basketball, dodgeball and almost anything that could turn an ordinary school break into a competition brought them together.

Those ordinary childhood moments became part of a foundation each boy carried with him.

They could not have known then where those games would lead.

Alexander began flag football at five after his parents encouraged him to try several sports. Football was the one that stuck. The game also became a bond with his father, who watched games with him and later coached Alexander and William.

Today, all three are 16 years old and entering their junior years. Alexander wears No. 3 as quarterback for Flint Hill School. Carter wears No. 6 at The Potomac School. William wears No. 10 for the Langley Saxons. Three childhood friends. Three different schools. Three varsity quarterbacks.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Ask the boys how they became friends, and their memories return to the same place: Forestville Elementary. “We became friends early on in elementary school,” William says. “We got close through classes and recess, but mostly through playing football at recess together.” Carter remembers the competitive spirit of their games on the “blacktop,” while Alexander recalls one particularly memorable chapter when their tackle football games became a little too competitive. Teachers eventually took the privilege away, and the boys had to be on their best behavior to earn it back. Their friendship continued beyond school. Alexander and William met in kindergarten and played flag football together for several

THREE PATHS TO QUARTERBACK Although they arrived at the same position, each took a different path.

Last year, Alexander earned the opportunity to start at Flint Hill as a sophomore. He describes the season as a steep learning curve that prepared him for his next challenge: stepping outside his comfort zone and becoming a stronger vocal leader. Carter’s story began differently. When he first tried football in 2021, he admits he did not love it. Smaller than many of the other players and spending considerable time on the bench, he questioned whether the sport was for him. But he came back. The following year, Carter gave football another chance. By seventh grade, he was playing quarterback and had discovered the strategy, teamwork and leadership that made him fall in love with the game. “One of the biggest challenges I've overcome was learning to believe in myself,” Carter says. Today, as The Potomac School’s starting varsity quarterback, he sees the position as a responsibility to earn his teammates’ trust, lead by example and remain composed under pressure.

GREAT FALLS LIVING | 13

© Best Version Media For William, football began at age five after watching his older brother play. His passion grew as he moved from flag to tackle football, studying playbooks and working on his mechanics, footwork and strength. William’s transition from flag football quarterback to the RYA Seahawks took place during his junior high years. By the time he entered Langley as a freshman, he was already an experienced quarterback. He continued developing within the program, working his way up to varsity and ultimately earning the role of Langley’s starting quarterback as a junior. His biggest lesson has been discipline. “You have to put in the time and hard work every single day,” William says, “because doing the tough stuff daily is what actually helps you reach your goals.”

COMPETITORS AND FRIENDS Perhaps the most remarkable part of their story is that success has not turned childhood friendship into rivalry. “I’m really happy for them,” Alexander says. “It’s cool to see three Forestville Elementary School kids playing recess football to now starting on varsity at the same position.” William shares that pride. “It's amazing,” he says. “I'm very proud of them and how far they've come.” Carter believes those countless hours competing as children helped all three develop their love of competition and desire to improve. “I have so much respect for William and Alexander,” he says, “and I'll always be rooting for them when I’m not playing against them.” Their parents see something bigger, too: three boys who encouraged and pushed one another, supported by families and a community that gave them opportunities to grow.

MORE THAN FOOTBALL While football connects them, each has interests that reveal a different side of who they are. Alexander’s interests range from Formula 1 and cars to French culture, percussion and basketball. Carter has developed a passion for studying Chinese, an interest strengthened by a recent trip to Singapore, and also enjoys baseball and boxing.

William stays active through biking and working out and enjoys music, video games and spending time with family and friends. Their ambitions extend beyond Friday nights, too. All three hope to continue playing football at the college level. Carter and William are interested in studying business, while Alexander is considering paths that include becoming a sports agent or starting a business. But perhaps some of the most important things they are taking with them have little to do with wins and losses. For Alexander, football has taught resilience: when life knocks you down, get back up. For Carter, it has taught teamwork and the importance of trusting the people beside you. For William, it has taught discipline and the understanding that wanting something is only the beginning. Reaching a goal requires doing the work every day. And perhaps that is what makes their story so fitting for Great Falls. Years ago, Alexander, Carter and William were simply elementary school boys squeezing as much fun and competition as possible into recess. Today, they walk onto different football fields wearing different colors and carrying the responsibility of leading their own teams. Their paths may have separated, but the place where so much of their story began remains the same. Great Falls. And somewhere between those childhood games and Friday night lights, three friends grew into three quarterbacks, still competing, still cheering one another on and still carrying a little piece of that Forestville playground with them every time they take the field.

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ALEXANDER MAHMOOD Flint Hill School | No. 3 | Quarterback Three words: Respectful, Quiet, Observant Pre game meal: Steak and mac and cheese Favorite quarterback: Jayden Daniels Favorite Great Falls spot: Cars & Coffee

CARTER REYNOLDS The Potomac School | No. 6 | Quarterback Three words: Loyal, Funny, Competitive Pre game meal: Chicken and rice Favorite quarterback: Baker Mayfield Favorite Great Falls spot: The Village at Great Falls

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© Best Version Media THE WEALTH PERSPECTIVE 2. Max out what you can. Employee 401(k) contributions must hit by December 31, while IRA contributions have until next April's tax deadline — know which clock you're racing. 3. Don't miss your RMD. If you're 73+, Required Minimum Distributions are due by December 31 — missing it triggers a steep IRS penalty. 4. Optimize your FSA. Review your Flexible Spending Account balance to ensure you use those use-it-or-lose-it healthcare funds before year-end. 5. Rebalance your portfolio. Markets shift all year — revisit your asset allocation to make sure your risk level fits your goals. 6. Prioritize debt payoff. Use this quiet season before holiday spending ramps up to tackle credit card balances and cut future interest. By MICHELLE HUNDLEY HUNDLEY,, JD, CFP® CEO and Co-Founder Trio Wealth Management, LLC

7. Beat the holiday rush. Set up a dedicated "holiday fund" to cover travel and gifts — earmarking funds early prevents rushed, lastminute spending.

September is the ideal financial checkpoint to prepare for year-end Trio Wealth Management | Great Falls expenses and align your portfolio for success. Maximize your wealth (703) 459-9171 | www.triowm.com before the busy holiday season with these strategic moves:

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Trio Wealth Management, LLC is an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission."

1. Review your tax withholding. A mid-year income change? Now's the time to adjust — and if you're a freelancer or selfemployed, check upcoming estimated quarterly deadlines.

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Price It Right Why Strategy Matters More in Today’s Great Falls Market By PUNEET BHAGI, Owner and Principal Broker, Ikon Realty

In Great Falls, no two homes are exactly alike. From private wooded estates and expansive properties to beautifully renovated residences and custom homes, each property comes with its own story, features, and value. That uniqueness is part of what makes Great Falls such a desirable place to live, but it can also make determining the right listing price more complicated. In today’s market, pricing a home correctly from the beginning matters more than ever. Sellers naturally want to maximize the return on what may be one of their most valuable assets. But setting a higher asking price does not necessarily result in a higher sale price. Buyers today have access to more information than ever before. They can compare listings, recent sales, days on market, and price adjustments before they ever schedule a showing. That makes the first impression of a new listing particularly important.

THE FIRST WEEKS MATTER When a property first enters the market, it typically receives its greatest level of attention. Serious buyers and their agents are watching for new inventory, particularly in sought-after communities such as Great Falls.

PRICE IS PART OF THE MARKETING STRATEGY The right price should work together with professional photography, presentation, staging, and targeted marketing. Each element helps tell the story of the property and communicate its value to the right audience. Ultimately, successful pricing is not about guessing what a buyer might pay or relying solely on what a neighboring home sold for. It requires understanding current competition, recent comparable sales, and the features that make a particular property distinctive. Great Falls continues to offer something difficult to replicate: space, privacy, natural beauty, and proximity to the Washington metropolitan area. For homeowners considering a sale, those qualities carry tremendous value. The key is making sure the market sees that value from the moment the property is introduced. Because in real estate, the right price does more than put a number on a home. It positions that home to be noticed, appreciated, and ultimately sold.

A home positioned appropriately can create interest early. An overpriced property, however, risks losing that initial momentum. If it remains on the market and later requires one or several price adjustments, buyers may begin wondering why it has not sold. The goal should not be to simply choose the highest possible asking price. It should be to identify the price that best positions the home within the current market while reflecting its individual value.

GREAT FALLS REQUIRES A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE Pricing in Great Falls is especially nuanced because comparing one property with another is rarely as simple as looking at square footage. Lot size, acreage, privacy, renovations, age and condition of the home, architectural style, outdoor living spaces, and location can all influence value. Two homes that appear similar on paper may offer very different experiences to a buyer. Current market conditions matter as well. As of June, Great Falls was considered a balanced market, with homes selling for approximately 97 percent of their asking price on average. For sellers, that is an important reminder: buyers are active, but they are also discerning.

GREAT FALLS LIVING | 17

SMART FINANCES WITH LAFAYETTE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

National College Savings Month A Strategic Gift for Future Generations By MARC ERAZO, Great Falls Branch Manager Lafayette Federal Credit Union

September is National College Savings Month—a timely reminder to consider how you can help fund a child or grandchild’s education while incorporating education savings into your broader financial plan.

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For some families, “superfunding” a 529 plan can be an appealing strategy. It allows you to contribute up to five years’ worth of the annual gift-tax exclusion to a 529 plan in a single year, subject to IRS limits and requirements. The funds can then grow tax-free for qualified education expenses and may provide estate-planning benefits. For grandparents, superfunding can be a meaningful way to transfer wealth while helping support the next generation’s educational goals. A financial planner can help you evaluate your family’s goals, timeline, and overall financial picture to determine whether superfunding a 529 plan fits your broader wealth strategy. With thoughtful planning, you can make the most of your education savings while creating a meaningful financial legacy for the next generation.

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment,

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legal, or tax advice. Lafayette Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA. Membership required.

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SEPTEMBER

YO U R

LEGACY BEGINS

AT H O M E

Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading to luxury, or investing in your family’s future, Puneet Bhagi and his team at Ikon Realty Luxury provide personalized service, unmatched local expertise, and a boutique experience tailored to you.Every home has a story—let us help you find yours.

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