June 2023

CLEA LIVING M N

A New McLean Central Park

PLAYGROUND ENVISIONED

COVER PHOTO BY TATIANA DOVE

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PUBLICATION TEAM

Publisher: Gloria Bruni

Publisher Assistant: Daniela Banegas

Copy Editor: Stefanie Stayin

Account Executive: Crissy Moore Hall

Designer: Amanda Capehart

Writer: Katie Culligan

Lifestyle Reviewer: Gabriela Ackerman

Photographer: Tatiana Dove

ADVERTISING

Contact: Gloria Bruni

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.

CONTENTSUBMISSIONDEADLINE

(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.)

ContentDue Edition

December 10 ...........................................................................January

February 10 ..................................................................................March

March 10.............................................................................................April

April 10..........................................

May 10 .................................................................................................June

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July 10............................................................................................ August

August 10............................................................................September

September 10..........................................................................October

October 10 ..........................................................................November

November 10.....................................................................December

Any

My Dearest Readers,

McLean Living Magazine is pleased to highlight the accomplished group of mothers who have taken charge of renovating the playground at McLean Central Park. Our magazine is dedicated to supporting the local community and ensuring that children have access to safe outdoor recreational opportunities. We have partnered with various businesses in McLean to raise the necessary funds to complete the project.

We urge everyone to join us in our efforts to maintain and improve the playground, which is an essential resource for the children who use it. Regardless of the size of your contribution, it will make a significant difference in the lives of the kids who benefit from the park. Please consider supporting this valuable cause.

In addition, Father's Day is quickly approaching, and it presents an ideal opportunity to express your gratitude for the important men in your life who have served as father figures. This special day is dedicated to showing the men in our lives how much we value them.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely, Gloria

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ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES

Iche Chiu | 360 CPA

866-550-2050 | 360.cpa

ACUPUNCTURIST

Dr. Sarah Alemi | Eastern Roots Wellness

571-354-6643 | easternrootswellness.com

BAKERY

Sandra Panetta | Sweetbites Cafe 703-448-1115 | sweetbitescafe.com

CAREER COACH

Kelly Featheringham | Kelly Featheringham ACC, Executive Career Coach 914-489-8856 | kellyfeatheringham.com

DENTIST

Dr. Negar Tehrani | Aura Dentistry 703-748-1900 | auradentistry.com

EDUCATION

Jinsil Kim | C2 Education of McLean 703-288-4400 | c2educate.com

FURNITURE

Joni Foerter | Front Porch Furniture Rescue 703-543-9248 | myfurniturerescue.com

HAIR STYLIST

Daniel Bechara | Salon Daniel 703-893-5000 | salondaniel.com

GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY

Dr. Ramin Farboud

Advanced Gastroenterology & Hepatology

703-345-6655 | aghofgreaterwashington.com

DERMATOLOGY

Dr. Pantea Tamjidi, MD, F.A.A.D.

Tamjidi Skin Institute 703-345-6677 | tamjidiskininstitute.com

INSURANCE

Milena Bu | State Farm 225-252-1932 | buforyou.com

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS JOIN THE TEAM!

MENTAL HEALTH

Eva-Maria Theodosiadis, MD & Dr. Debra Brosius

Integrated Psychology Associates of McLean, LLC 703-215-4101

debrabrosius.com | ipamclean.com

LANDSCAPING - RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL

Andre Passos | The Grounds Guys 888-929-8188 | groundguys.com

MASTER PEDICURIST & ONCOLOGY-TRAINED ESTHETICIAN

Lisa Tep | Sesen Spa 703-281-0822 | sesenspa.com

MOVER

Gina Kovatch | Petra Moving Company 703-547-7631 | petramovingcompany.com

PERMANENT MAKE-UP

Paola Soto | Synergy Beauty 703-734-0772 | synergybeautytysons.com

REAL ESTATE

Brian Mason | Signature Move Real Estate 703-936-6501 | signaturemoverealestate.com

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Stephanie Q. Lawrence | Vinson Hall 540-314-8745 | vinsonshall.org

TRAVEL AGENT/VACATION PLANNING

Emmy Hoffman | Luxe Traveler Club 502-345-8938 | luxetravelerclub.com

COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT

Maryam Khavandi & Mehdi Mofidian | Medjuvenis 703-345-8322 | medjuvenis.com

HOME SERVICES: ROOFING

Esequiel Alvarez | Falcon Roofing & Solar 703-826-5306 | falconroofingva.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

Janine Serio | 2 Health Nuts 410-935-9241 | 2healthnuts.com

To learn more about becoming an EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR, contact Gloria at: 703-868-8071 or gbruni@bestversionmedia.com

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ACUPUNCTURE & Sports Injuries

By Dr. Sarah Alemi

During the warmer weather months, people may be more likely to engage in outdoor activities. In our area, tennis and golf are both popular outdoor sports. Of course, this increased physical activity can sometimes lead to an increase in injuries such as sprains, strains, and fractures.

In tennis, injuries are often related to repetitive motions and overuse of certain muscles. Common tennis injuries include tennis elbow, which is caused by inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow, and shoulder injuries, which can be caused by the repeated overhead motion required to serve the ball. Knee and ankle injuries can also occur.

In golf, injuries are often related to poor technique and overuse of certain muscles. Back pain is a common injury among golfers due to the twisting motion required during the golf swing. Golfers can also experience golfer's elbow, as well as shoulder injuries due to the repetitive motion required during the swing.

To reduce the risk of injury in both sports,

it's important to use proper technique and warm up before playing. Stretching before and after playing can also help prevent injury. It's also important to use appropriate equipment, such as shoes with good support, and to take breaks if you start to feel fatigued or experience pain.

Acupuncture can also be used to address injuries associated with tennis, golf and other physical activities. How can it help?:

1. Painrelief: Acupuncture can help relieve pain caused by sports injuries by releasing endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers. Acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation and swelling, which can contribute to pain.

2. Improvedcirculation: Acupuncture can improve circulation in the affected area, which can help speed up the healing process.

3. Reducedmuscletension: Acupuncture can help reduce muscle tension and spasms, which can occur as a result of sports injuries.

4. Fasterrecoverytime: By promoting healing and reducing pain and inflammation, acupuncture can help athletes recover more quickly from sports injuries and return to their normal activities.

5. Stressreduction: Especially important for our golfers, who may experience stress and tension related to performance anxiety or competition. Acupuncture can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can improve overall well-being and performance.

Acupuncture is often used in combination with other treatments for sports injuries, such as physical therapy, stretching, and supplementation (as needed). It's important to work with a qualified acupuncturist who has experience treating sports injuries to ensure safe and effective treatment.

If you find that you’ve overdone it this summer with tennis, golf, or any other outdoor activity, consider acupuncture. It is a safe, natural, and effective way of addressing pain and encouraging healing so that you can continue to enjoy the rest of your summer season.

PHOTOS

BY SARAH SHAMLAL

SOCIAL 4 GOOD'S ENCOURAGEMENT FUND Makes Dreams Come True

By Sarah Shamlal, Social4Good

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Social4Good (S4G) partnered with Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia for our monthly charity support.

Child abuse cuts across all boundaries of race, education levels, and income brackets.

In 2021 there were more than 37,000 reports of child abuse in Northern Virginia. There are 3.5 million reports annually in the United States. Child abuse is any mistreatment of a minor that results in harm or injury. Four types of abuse:

NEGLECT: Failure to provide for a child’s basic needs (physical, educational, and/or emotional).

PHYSICAL ABUSE: Injury as a result of hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or otherwise harming a child, including with unnecessary medical procedures (medical abuse).

ABUSE: Indecent exposure, fondling, or exploitation through trafficking or the production or viewing of indecent images. This includes both contact and non-contact offenses.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE: Any pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth, including constant criticism, threats, and rejection or isolation. Frequently part of other forms of abuse.

Over 90% of abuse is by someone known to the child.

Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia (SCAN, scanva.org) is the only region-wide organization focused solely on preventing child abuse and neglect across Northern Virginia.

SCAN provides:

• A voice for children in the court system.

• Support when parents need it most.

• Building institutions that protect children.

• Making child abuse prevention a community priority.

In April 2023, S4G members and guests generously supported

S4G's Encouragement Fund with donations totaling $5,000! The Encouragement Fund was created to provide SCAN Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers with funds they could use to support children in foster care when and where they need it. Our project goal was to replenish this account so that foster children could celebrate birthdays, purchase basic hygiene necessities, participate in activities, and feel remembered and visible.

At the April 24th Social, members and guests had the opportunity to learn more about SCAN and the important role CASA volunteers play in supporting children in foster care.

"Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are often the only stable presence in our children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system. Our system of care provides basic therapeutic services to help children process their abuse, but that takes a lot of time and work. In the meantime, how can we help the children in our communities reclaim their youth and offer them normalcy, even just for a day. By letting them know they are special, that there are people who believe in their abilities enough to invest in them. Social4Good's Encouragement Fund will tell our children that they are not throwaways, that they are not different or less than because of what happened to them, through no fault of their own.

Social4Good's generosity will demonstrate that there is a caring community who wants them to thrive and offer them the opportunity to do what they do best—just be a child." Amy Wilker, Director, CASA Program, CASA of Alexandria/Arlington | SCAN of Northern Virginia

S4G is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the organizations that make our community strong. Each month, this column will highlight S4G’s monthly project to raise awareness on critical needs in our community and local nonprofits making a difference.

To learn more about S4G or to support local nonprofits, visit www.Social4Goodevents.org.

A New McLean Central Park PLAYGROUND ENVISIONED

PHOTO BY TATIANA DOVE

THE FACES BEHIND THIS WONDERFUL PLAYGROUND ARE ANGIE, JENNY, LACEY, CARA AND JESSICA.

By Katie Culligan

Meet the McLean Central Playground

Team (MCPT). The team consists of five local parent volunteers actively supporting the planning and fundraising for the playground renovations at McLean Central Park. They have been working closely in partnership with Fairfax County Park Authority and Fairfax County Park Foundation since Fall of 2022.

Their mission is to raise $400,000 by

December 1st, 2023 for the McLean Central Park Playground. If they do not raise this money, the Tot Lot playground will not be renovated and many amenities will be removed from the playground design for the 5-12 year old playground footprint. This new playground is important in bringing multigenerational fun for a wide range of ages and abilities, which in turn will help build community in this area. These five passionate women came together as a grass-roots group of local parent

volunteers in 2021 with a common goal of seeing growth in the McLean community after discovering a need for outdoor play spaces for their children to gather. They have successfully been able to secure a little over $100,000 since starting fundraising efforts in midMarch!

As a little bit of history, in 2013, after an extensive planning and public engagement process, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a revision to the McLean Central Park

PLAYGROUND RENOVATION TEAM

Master Plan. Park Master Plans are long-range documents that provide a conceptual vision for a park and how it serves the community. Now that funding is available, the Park Authority plans to develop new facilities at the park in conformance with the 2013 Master Plan Revision, starting construction in 2024. McLean Central Park has been given a government bond for some much-needed updates that include: a small amphitheater, an outdoor adult fitness area, newly paved trails, renovated courts, restroom improvements and playground improvements. However, the small percentage of the bond amount that’s allocated to the playground, specifically $279,000, would have only allowed for very minor updates and would solely include updates to the 5-12 aged playground. The team explains, “This may seem like a significant amount of money, but many parks in surrounding counties spend at least $1M on their playgrounds. To build the playground that our children deserve would take an additional $400,000 that a group of volunteers, us, have agreed to raise.” After a lot of communication, hard work, and collaboration, the Fairfax County Park Authority & the Fairfax County Park Foundation have agreed on a public-private partnership to help fund the

• Separate playgrounds in different areas of the park

• Mulch in a naturally damp area attracts mosquitoes and has drainage challenges

• Outdated equipment

• Very little sensory play equipment

• Not much seating throughout the playground

• No adaptive playground equipment

• Larger footprint to allow for combined totlot and school age play areas

• More seating throughout the play areas

• Enclosed totlot

• Poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing

• Updated equipment including sensory play options and adaptive tandem swing

THE CURRENT PLAYGROUND AT MCP:

THE RENOVATED PLAYGROUND AT MCP:

playground renovations that would include:

• Poured in place (PIP) rubberized flooring that will allow children and caretakers of all abilities to participate in the fun

• An expanded and combined fenced-in Tot-Lot and an ages 5-12 playground footprint

• Updated equipment including beautiful sensory play scattered throughout the playground

• New swings, plus an additional swing half bay that will include a universal adaptive swing for children with trunk support needs

• Additional seating throughout the play area consisting of a low concrete seating wall, four new benches and five new picnic tables (including three with wheelchair accessibility)

• Donor recognition for amounts over $5,000, such as various-sized native Virginia tree leaves on a natural stone slab, and opportunities to put a family name or business of your choice on the playground benches or tables. Visit the website for the complete list of donor recognition opportunities.

COMMUNAL BENEFITS

INCLUSIVITY

The playground will offer true accessibility and inclusivity with Poured in Place flooring, an adaptive swing, and several sensory play options scattered throughout. 14% of FCPS are reported as students with disabilities.

TOGETHERNESS

A combined totlot and school-aged playground will promote togetherness for families with children with a broad age range.

REVENUE

Better playground and overall park amenities will increase gazebo rentals, thus increase MCP funding.

HEALTH & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

Through imaginative play, physicalplay and by building fundamental social skills, the renovated playground will enhance emotional wellbeing for children and caretakers.

COMMUNITY BOND

Common meeting places allow for the opportunity to develop stronger and deeper community bonds.

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Now let’s meet the fearless five who are determined to make this project a reality!

CARA SCHANTZ is one of the founding members of the MCPT initiative. Once her family made the move from Arlington to McLean, she was surprised at the disparity of the playgrounds in McLean versus Arlington. She began reaching out to local McLean groups to see if there was an interest in upgrading the current playgrounds in town. It turns out many others had similar concerns, and thus, the McLean Central Playground Team was formed. Cara was born and raised in McLean, attended the University of Virginia, and continued on to dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University. She returned to the DMV after completion of her residency program in New York City in order to be closer to her family. A few years later, she opened a dental practice in Crystal City and married her husband, Christopher Hoffman.

They now have three kids ranging from fourteen months to five years old. When the family is not traveling, they enjoy exploring local museums and playgrounds in the area.

ANGIE GOLDER is the other of the two founding members of this initiative.

On the MCPT, Angie is instrumental in the initiative's strategic planning and grant writing. She became involved in the playground initiative two years ago. During the pandemic, playgrounds became even more important gathering spaces for kids and families. Playgrounds foster community,

and that’s a big reason why the McLean Central Park Playground is so important to her. She lives in McLean with her son, Simon, her daughter, Miriam, and her husband, Scott. She is a health scientist and research funder in the non-profit sector.

LACEY OBRY joined the MCPT initiative in the summer of 2021 along with Cara Schantz and Angie Golder at the start of this project. By building their website and creating the team’s social media pages, she helps get the word out to the community. This played a major part in rallying McLean Parents to send in their comments of what they wanted for the playground during the public commenting period. This eventually won them the support that gave them a combined playground in the revised master plan for the park. Lacey currently maintains all the social pages and is fully involved in the planning and fundraising process alongside the team.

Lacey states, ”Being a newcomer to McLean, I realized how transient this area is and how important it is to have a common central location to regularly connect and meet families. This is why I feel the playground is so important to our community, having one space for children of many ages and abilities to play equally together.” Lacey has lived in McLean since 2018 with her

husband Jérôme Obry and her three daughters, ages twelve, ten and five. She is a freelance hair colorist and has worked in the luxury hair industry for over fifteen years in NYC, Palm Beach and now the DMV. She was also previously a business owner and designer for a children’s hair accessory brand.

JESSICA WU began her involvement in this passion project of Playground Fundraising in early 2022 around the time of the McLean Central Park Public Commentary. Utilizing her consulting career background, she has been the main liaison between Fairfax County and the MCPT, and has also been instrumental at strategic

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community outreach and deliverable development. She is mother of two boys: Jackson, age five, and Jaden, age four. Jessica and her husband, Jeff, enjoy exploring local playgrounds and adventuring all over the area with their sons. When Jessica isn't physically chasing around her little boys, she enjoys taking on roles throughout the McLean community such as Room Parent Coordinator for both her younger son's Preschool, and her older son's Kindergarten classes, along with Social Media & Events Chair on the McLean Moms Club Board.

JENNY GREGORY is the President of Moms of McLean (also known as McLean MOMS), which is a

local chapter of International MOMS. It is a philanthropy-based social group for mothers and their children. Being involved in this capacity made her motivated to become knowledgeable of the events happening in McLean, which of course included the renovation of McLean Central Park. At the time, McLean MOMS had a surplus of money from Covid shut downs, and the club was looking for something meaningful and local in which to support. Once Jenny heard that McLean Central Park Playground was getting updated, and specifically that the Toddler Area needed community funding, she was more than happy to present a vote to the club to send it to Fairfax County Park Foundation for the toddler

"Being a newcomer to McLean, I realized how transient this area is and how important it is to have a common central location to regularly connect and meet families." LACEY OBRY

playground. Once the motion passed, she started sitting in on meetings to find out more about the park, and decided to join MCPT to help their efforts in raising the rest of the funding. She is originally from Oregon, where she became a nurse and found her passion in Endoscopy. She slowly made her way East, before falling in love with McLean and calling it home. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to four children, ages three through twelve, and married to her best friend, Matt.

She states, ”The park is important to McLean. When we moved here, I had a toddler who loved to run away. With multiple children, it was necessary to find parks with fences, that would be engaging for all the different levels of play. Growing up with a disabled sibling, I understood the importance of adaptive equipment at the playground. The vision we have for McLean Central Park Playground, it checks all the boxes."

If you’re reading this article wondering how you can help make this dream project into a reality, here are four things you can do:

1. SUPPORTUS! All support is helpful and all go directly to the Fairfax County Park Foundation which is a 501(c)3. The MCPT checks in with them very regularly to see their progress and discuss strategy. Special thanks to the businesses who’ve already contributed (at the time of this publication) including McLean Family Dentistry, Island Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics, McLean Moms Club, Tea with Mrs. B and Skin Lab Med Spa.

2. PARTICIPATE in fundraising events through local businesses. Recent examples include Kosmo Nail Bar and Lost Dog Cafe collaborations. Upcoming events are listed on their website. If you’re a local business, consider hosting one!

3. VOLUNTEER! The team is looking for committed volunteers who want to help spread the word and continue the initiative's momentum.

4. FOLLOWTHEMCPT on social media to discover more opportunities to help. You can find them at www.mcleanplayground.com and on Facebook and instagram @mcleancentralplaygroundteam

Final thoughts from the MCPT: “We need your help to build the playground our town deserves. We are so thankful and appreciative of your support, we could not do this without you. Thank you!”

Integrated Psychology Associates of McLean, LLC

703-215-4101

Emmy is an Advisor at Luxe Traveler Club, a boutique travel agency specializing in custom itineraries and personalized service. Through Preferred Partnerships with top hotels and the Virtuoso network, she is able to add special amenities and perks to create a VIP experience.

THE MCLEAN BUSINESS CLUB

PHOTOS BY TATIANA DOVE

By Marianne Bane

Well, as the world shifts towards remote work and flexible working arrangements, more and more businesses are seeking out professional, collaborative workspaces that cater to their needs. In McLean, Virginia, The McLean Business Club offers just that.

When I heard The McLean Business Club's tagline, "Shared workspace for the civilized," I was intrigued and decided to visit the establishment. Upon entering, I quickly began to see the meaning behind their slogan. One immediately notices the tasteful decor that artfully blends practical office amenities with a luxurious, boutique hotel-style ambiance.

The McLean Business Club offers McLean's business community well-appointed offices and office suites, shared workspaces, and conference rooms, all on flexible terms tailored to meet the individual needs of solopreneurs, startups, and small businesses. The McLean Business Club has captured the zeitgeist of today’s evolving workplace and

has found a niche in accommodating McLean’s business community with short-term office space, hourly conference room rentals, and even “virtual offices” for those who just need a “credible” business address.

Many of us have come to appreciate (maybe “covet" is a better word) the ability to work from home, a trend fueled by the exigencies of the pandemic but one that now appears here to stay. Yet every now and then we need a professional environment, whether to meet clients, conduct interviews, or to just spend some time on the phone without the distraction of a barking family dog or an insistent child. That’s where The McLean Business Club comes in. Need a conference room for an hour tomorrow? Hop onto their website, book it, and you’re all set. Need an office for a few weeks or more? No problem, just give them a call. And The McLean Business Club’s flexible terms can be adjusted as your business needs change. So, if what worked yesterday doesn’t quite meet your needs today, that’s not a problem either – there are no long-term commitments, so go ahead and try something else.

Surprisingly great rates right around the corner.

Members appreciate The McLean Business Club’s sedate vibe and say it’s an ideal environment for fostering creativity, mulling important decisions or just working free of distractions. The Club also puts a premium on privacy and security, with electronically controlled access and lockable private offices. Members say the Internet is fast and reliable.

The Club exudes an air exclusivity without coming across as stuffy. The atmosphere is professional but relaxed. Amenities include concierge services for catered meetings, coffee, soft drinks and snacks that are always included at no extra charge, and even complimentary beer and wine served in the member lounge in late afternoon. The staff is warm and inviting. If you’re a businessperson who lives or works in McLean, The McLean Business Club is certainly a place to consider as an “office away from home” or a place to occasionally meet, collaborate, and socialize. Stop in for a visit and see for yourself why The McLean Business Club really is “shared workspace for the civilized.”

The Sun Came out for

MCLEAN LIVING MAGAZINE & TYSON’S REGIONAL CHAMBER IN THE PLAINS

By Dani Banegas

After some rough patches of weather the past few weekends, the sun came out in The Plains, ready to make a perfect day for the stakes-stacked Virginia Gold Cup Race. The Virginia Gold Cup Race is a celebration of a hunting country tradition and one of the largest outdoor social events held in Virginia.

This year’s event was particularly noteworthy, as McLean Living Magazine partnered with Tyson’s Regional Chamber of Commerce to host one of the most elite tents at the race.

Mr. Andrew Clark, the chairman of Tyson's Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Gloria Bruni the owner and publisher of McLean Living magazine, were responsible for ensuring that their guests received exceptional attention and care.

PHOTOS BY TATIANA DOVE

THE HOSTS ANDREW CLARK AND GLORIA BRUNI

SARA CARÍAS, LEONARDO VALENZUELA, CHRISTOPHER DAGATTA, BRIAN MASON, GLORIABRUNI, ANGEL BU, JAVIER & ALICIA BU, ADA & EMMY HOFFMANN

Some of the most prominent business people in Virginia attended the event, dressed in feathered hats, stunning dresses, and sophisticated suits that were in keeping with the grandeur of the event and added a vibrant touch to the morning.

BRIAN MASON, DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, SARAH ASFARI

TAMIR LINHART OWNER OF GOLDEN BOOT SOCCER RACHEL MARIE, ANDREW CLARK, LAURA FINCKE

AMBASSADOR OF HONDURAS JAVIER BU AND HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE ALICIA.

ADA & EMMY HOFFMANN, GLORIA BRUNI, KELLY FEATHERINGHAM

RACHEL MARIE

ANNA GIBSON'S BEAUTIFUL HAT

DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, GLORIA BRUNI, BRIAN MASON (OWNER OF SIGNATURE MOVE REAL ESTATE)

However, it is impossible to overlook the impact of the bubbly champagne and finest bourbon distilleries, which contributed to a relaxed and joyful atmosphere marked by laughter and merriment.

CHRIS AND JENN BUSCH

ANDREW CLARK, JAVIER BU

EMERALD WALKER, NICHOLAS MOUNTS, MAYAR VYAS, JASPER LI

Despite the invitation stating that the race would take place regardless of the weather, it was fortunate that Andrew and Gloria were able to host a splendid race on a sunny day.

C2reallyknowshowtotailortheirteaching tosuiteachindividualstudent’sneeds.Every timeIwenttosomeoneatC2forhelp,theydid theirabsolutebesttogivemeadditionalstudy materialsandguidance.”

HEATHER DEVOTO, GLORIA BRUNI, JENNIFER JO

ADA & EMMY HOFFMANN

RAEA JEAN LEINSTER

SARAH ASFARI AND JESSE SCEARCE

JAVIER BU, CHRISTOPHER DAGATTA, KSENIA PANOMARENKO

The Inspiring Story of Young GABRIELLA BITAR: A TALENTED SQUASH ATHLETE

By Charlie Gallegos

In our community, there are many children and teenagers who have a deep passion for sports and take it very seriously, juggling their time between school and family and putting in a great deal of effort into their athletic pursuits with a focus on winning. Among these exceptional youngsters is Gabriella Bitar, a squash athlete who has a bright future ahead of her in the sport.

Gabriella is determined, outgoing, and perseverant. She is currently in the 5th grade at The Langley School, and she is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys practicing a variety of

sports, including soccer, track, and squash. She has been playing squash for four years now and has already achieved the impressive feat of ranking in the top 10 squash players in the country in her category, which is girls under 11. Despite this achievement, Gabriella is determined to continue working hard and striving towards her next goal of ranking in the top 10 in the girls under 13 category.

While Gabriella certainly devotes a significant amount of effort to her sport, it's important to acknowledge the incredible work that her coach, Nouran The Torky, has

done. As a coach at the Play Squash Academy, Nouran has established a strong sense of trust and confidence with Gabriella, who believes that Nouran has even more faith in her abilities than she does herself. Given that squash is both a physical and mental game, one of Gabriella's favorite pieces of advice from Nouran is to "visualize winning in your head before you can actually win on the court."

Playing squash is a great source of enjoyment for Gabriella, but her love for the sport actually began when her father introduced her to it. Gabriella's father, along with her cousin, brother, and uncle, all share a passion for squash, and she particularly enjoys spending time playing the sport with them. In addition to the quality time she spends with her family, Gabriella also loves the opportunity that squash provides her to compete in tournaments, which has allowed her to travel and make friends with girls from all over the country. She and her squash friends stay in touch and support each other during matches.

While Gabriella's talent as a squash athlete is remarkable, it's important to recognize that she's also a typical girl with her own personal preferences. Her favorite song, "Level Up," gives her a boost of energy before each match, and she enjoys snacking on açaí bowls and fruit smoothies. Furthermore, in addition to her passion for squash, she also enjoys playing the violin and painting. As a final thought, we'd like to leave you with Gabriella's favorite quote by former senator Arlen Specter, who was also an enthusiastic squash player: "You are never too far ahead to lose and never too far behind to win."

INDEPENDENCE LANDSCAPE

THE LAUNCH PROJECT

By Summer Boxer and Sophie Johnston

On May 13th, the Launch Project Female Empowerment Summit took place at The Clara Barton Auditorium at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) headquarters. The event brought together young women from diverse backgrounds and age groups, from middle school through adults, who were inspired to hear from successful women leaders in various sectors. The day started off with Kathi Vidal, the Under Secretary of Commerce & Director of the USPTO, and Sahana Ahuja, the founder and president of the Launch Project and the organizer and director of the summit. In addition, other speakers included Julie Sweet - Chief Executive Officer of Accenture, Deb JohnsCo-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Scout, Alycen Mcauley - Senior Vice President of the WNBA Washington Mystics, Shelly Collins - Partner at Sway Ventures and Founder of The Shatter Foundation, Jamie Wynne - CEO & Founder of Marigold & Grey, Monisha Kapila - Co-CEO of ProInspire, and more. Through a series of fireside chats, workshops, interviews, and panel discussions, the speakers shared their personal experiences, imparted their valuable lessons, and offered meaningful advice to around 200 in-person attendees and 150 virtual attendees. Reflecting on the event’s significance, Fatima Hassan, a summit attendee, poignantly remarked, “this summit was a transformative experience which amplified the importance of female leadership and showcased the vast impact we can have when we empower each other.” In addition to empowering enterprising girls through sharing experiences with successful female leaders, the event provided a platform for networking and opportunities to build a strong and supportive mentorship community. Xiomara Rodriguez added, “we had an opportunity to engage with a host of successful female leaders, each with their unique stories and insights. The mentorship and networking opportunities were invaluable,

fostering connections I believe I will endure long after the event.”

Sahana Ahuja, the organizer of the event, and a high school junior at the Madeira School, elaborated on the driving force that led her to devote the past year to planning this event. “When I was 13 years old, I attended my first summit in Boston, and it was then I realized the profound effect of bringing together successful female leaders and role models for teenage girls”. Since the Launch Project’s establishment in 2019, it has grown to 2,500 members and 45 chapters worldwide and on four continents. In its mission to empower, educate, and develop girls to become tomorrow's female leaders, changemakers, and entrepreneurs, the organization focuses explicitly on building critical skills and opportunities in business, politics, and STEM for all girls– irrespective of socioeconomic differences. Sahana’s motto, "You can't be what you can't see”, embodies the belief that she's built as a central tenet

to her nonprofit organization– for all girls of all backgrounds to have strong female mentors to understand their limitless potential for the future. In equalizing opportunities for all girls and creating a positive impact for sponsoring mentorship, Sahana believes girls' disparity to such opportunities can be eliminated. At the event, the Launch Project and Shatter Fund announced a partnership formed to offer an ongoing six-week online entrepreneurial certificate program at no cost to middle or high school girls. This initiative is being undertaken in cooperation with the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business. Ariana Ahuja, the Vice President of the Launch Project and the Assistant Summit Director who is a sophomore at the Bullis School, stated, "Working in conjunction with a powerful partner such as the Shatter Fund enables us to extend our reach to communities that lack sufficient resources for entrepreneurial education, thereby furthering our

mission of equalizing and democratizing educational opportunities for all girls."

The Launch Project's annual summit was the epitome of showcasing the ingenuity and brilliance of women, and Sahana hopes the organization will continue to grow rapidly and asserts it is only the beginning. Sahana added, “Through our programs, I hope to inspire young girls to see the limitless possibilities available to them, build critical skills to unleash their potential, level the playing field for future career paths, and build positive networking and mentorship opportunities to empower the successful female leaders of tomorrow." With numerous girls leaving the summit confident, well-connected, and inspired, Sahana is fulfilled knowing she helped perpetuate that same hope and drive that led her to found her organization which strives for other girls her age and younger to be the change they want to see in the world and to build a better and more equitable future for all women.