The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) recently announced the winners of its 2012 Award of Achievement for academic excellence in accounting studies. The VSCPA annually recognizes top graduating accounting seniors from Virginia high schools, community colleges and four-year universities. The students are selected by accounting faculty at their respective schools. Only one award is issued per school each year, making it a significant honor to be the single student selected for recognition amongst peers. Henrico award winners include: Kianna Jones, Douglas S. Freeman High School; Bi Ou, Hermitage High School; Henry Finn, Mills E. Godwin High School; and Jasmine Hough, Varina High School.

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Marine Corps Pfc. Jason T. Whitley, son of Wanda L. Childress, of North Carolina, and Timothy L. Whitley, of Sandston, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C. McDonough and fellow recruits endured rigorous physical training as well as numerous hours in classroom and field assignments, which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. McDonough ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem and addressed as “Marines” for the first time.

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Twenty-six Virginians, including three from Glen Allen, will be among 988 delegates from around the world attending The United Methodist Church’s General Conference starting today. General Conference, the church’s top lawmaking body and the only group that can officially speak for the denomination, meets every four years. Delegates will consider approximately 1,600 pieces of proposed legislation during the conference dealing with reorganization of church structure, revisions to church law, plans and budgets for church-wide programs and resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. Clergy and laity representing Glen Allen include: The Rev. Marc Brown, Virginia Conference director of Connectional Ministries; Jim Branscome; and Martha Stokes, Virginia Conference director of Inclusivity and Lay Leadership Excellence.

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Students from the following groups recently performed at Walt Disney World in Florida as part of the Disney Performing Arts Program: Deep Run High School’s Vocal Music Department and Glen Allen High School’s “Marching Jaguars” and Concert Choir. Dance groups, choirs, ensembles and marching bands from around the world apply to perform each year at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests. For more information on the program, visit http://www.disneyperformingarts.com Deep Run High School also recently traveled to Epcot at Walt Disney World to take part in the Disney Youth Education Series Program, “Magic Behind the Show: Improv and Teamwork.” Disney Y.E.S. programs take place in and behind-the-scenes of the world-famous theme parks. Professional Disney facilitators help guide students and assist them in understanding key lessons in career discovery, life management, science, history, arts and humanities. For more information on Y.E.S. programs, visit http://www.disneyyes.com .

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RichTech, Richmond Technology Council, recently announced the 2012 Technology Stars Award Finalists. Every year RichTech recognizes and celebrates the best and brightest technology stars in seven award categories. The Technology Builder Award is given to the local technology company delivering technology solutions and/or services to external clients that build capacity and increase operational efficiency. Henrico recipients are: Whitlock, of Henrico, and Allegro Consultants and Create Digital, of Glen Allen. The Educator Award is given to the educator or school program that provides exceptional technology leadership and encourages students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering and math. Henrico recipients are Lynne M. Norris, of Deep Run High School, and Tom Woodward, of Henrico County Public Schools.

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The Virginia/Washington, D.C. affiliate of the National Center for Women and Information Technology recently held its first Award for Aspirations in Computing ceremony. The regional organization, formed by George Mason University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, honored two high school teachers and 10 high school students with awards for their efforts to, respectively, teach and learn computer science. Henrico recipients include: Teacher Lynn M. Norris, of Deep Run High School; and students Taylor O’Brien, of Godwin High School; and Kristina Pham, Shelby Evans and Jordan Newton, of Deep Run High School.