Most engineering campers are from Chesterfield County

Brown

Almost two-thirds of the 24 middle school students who attended a three-day engineering camp for Virginia middle school students are from Chesterfield including 11 from Manchester Middle School. They are Hanna Cervarich, Marissa Hennelly, Kristina Kelly, Eva Melara, Cara Kasten, Samantha Johnson, Amanda Schanz, Caitlin Lane, Arius Aibara, Jordan Hiegel and Scott Yeudall. Other Chesterfield students include Marcus P. Carter Jr. and Michael Harold (Falling Creek), Sean Michael Randall-Thompson (Robious) and Tyrin Ellington (Swift Creek). The Jamestown 4-H Center event is funded and planned by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia and the American Society of Civil Engineers/Virginia branch. Contestants were asked to write a 1,000-word proposal on what they would design to make life easier for colonists if they were able to travel back in time to 1607.

In other announcements:

Otis Brown of Midlothian has been elected vice rector of the Longwood University Board of Visitors. He is the former president of the State Fair of Virginia and has been a member of the board since 2003.

Dean

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $49,661 to the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office to reimburse some of the costs of incarcerating undocumented aliens who have committed serious crimes in the United States. The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office was among only 801 of the 3,140 eligible local agencies across the U.S. that successfully applied for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funds.

Herb Pettis Jr. of Brandermill has been awarded the 2006- 2007 Michael VanOrman "Lion of the Year" award from the Brandermill-Midlothian-Woodlake Lions Club.

The Bank of Virginia has opened its newest branch bank at 906 Branchway Rd.

Dunkin' Donuts held a grand opening last Friday and Saturday at 4417 W. Hundred Rd. in Chester for its newest location.

Wellness First has been certified by Metagenics for First Line Therapy, a therapeutic lifestyle program that helps achieve a healthy life and prevent diseases. The business is operated by Dr. Robert Donnelly, D.C. The Web site is www.wellnessfirstcenter.com.

Chesterfield County Public Schools saw more than a 200 percent increase in the number of adult G.E.D. applicants thanks to a text message-based radio promotion designed by the advertising agency Madison+Main.

SI.com has named Midlothian High School's athletic program as tops in Virginia when it comes to producing top athletes and winning teams. The Midlothian Trojans were selected from among other high school athletic programs in Virginia for 2006-07 and won state championships for boys cross country, girls cross country and girls indoor track. The golf team was the district champion, regional runner-up and fourth in the state. Girls tennis and softball teams won district championships.

Chesterfield County Public Schools has won its third Teaching American History grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The $726,600 grant will train 40 elementary school teachers each year for the next three years in Foundations of a Nation Institutes. The Teaching American History program supports projects to raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding and appreciation of American history.

Melissa Holmes and Matthew Brown, graduates of Clover Hill High School, have been awarded $2,500 scholarships from the Virginia Credit Union. She will be attending the University of Virginia while he goes to Virginia Tech.

Temperance Brantley, a graduate of Midlothian High School, received a basketball scholarship from Virginia State University. During her senior year, she played on the All Metro Team, the All District Team and the All Academic Team in the District.

Art created by Tyler Dean, a student at Jacobs Road Elementary, has been chosen as the main image of the 2007 Local Government and Schools United Way Campaign. Tyler created the mixed media collage during the 2006-07 school year. It will be reproduced in United Way publications including posters and booklets.

Jordan Pridgen, a member of Troop 869 and a junior at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Richmond Kickers Under 12 Girls Elite Team recently won the State Cup Final, becoming the first girls' team to earn the title for the Richmond Kickers Youth Club. Team players from Chesterfield County include Rachael Seiler, Allison Bortell, Tessa Broadwater, Lizzy Patrick, Elena Wirz, Alex Pinkleton, Chloe Starnes, Miranda Carlson, Jayden Metzger, Blayne Fink, Gina D'Orazio and Blaire Amis.

Team Chesterfield recently traveled to Iceland where they met and competed against students from 63 countries in soccer, swimming and golf during the International Children's Games.

About 25 GetLoaded.com employees volunteered during the 2007 Virginia Summer Games for Special Olympics held at the University of Richmond last month.