Neighborhood news: MLK Oratorical participants named

Congratulations to students selected to speak at Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical being held at Hylton Chapel in Woodbridge. Students created their own interpretation of King's theme, "The Urgency of Now."

From middle schools, the following students were chosen: Avin Khera, Benton Middle School; Kourtney Ellis, Porter School; and Makaila Davenport, Stonewall Middle School. A fourth middle school participant was chosen for the Judges' Choice Award. The winner will be announced at the program. Participants will be presented with a $500 savings bond.

These high school students were selected: Alice Gyamfi, Hylton; Seth Opoku-Yeboah, Osbourn Park; and Lauren Coleman, Potomac.

Corey Scott, a junior at Brentsville, will attend the event and receive a medal. Five other students from Brentsville had competed in the first round held at the school level about a week ago. The five competitors spoke in front of a panel of four judges.

According to Lori Sterne, who helped coordinate Brentsville's preliminaries, "One judge said he heard so many good speeches that he believes we should audiotape all speeches next year."

For more information on the MLK Oratorical, contact Lori R. Sterne, English 12, Brentsville District High School, at Lori Sterne .

Brentsville High art students show talent

Through the end of January, some Brentsville District High School students will exhibit their artwork in two separate galleries at the Candy Factory in Manassas.

The upstairs gallery will feature art by seniors from Brentsville's Cambridge Art program and Art Portfolio class.

These students have learned how to set up an art show in a real gallery. Some students will pursue art in the future, while others have chosen different paths.

Students used a variety of media such as watercolor, acrylic, graphite, fabric, pen, colored pencil, paper cut-out and chalk pastel. Most of the work is in 2D, but some is 3D.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Blair-Nussbaum, Brentsville District High School Art Department Chair, at 703-594-2161 or .

Keep updated on happenings in your ‘hood

PWC residents, did you know you can have a say in what happens to your neighborhood? The PWC Planning Office holds various meetings and hearings. Meetings generally begin at 7 p.m. in the Board Chamber of the McCoart Building, 1 County Complex Court, Prince William.

The Planning Office is made up of several boards and commissions. For specific meeting information, call Chris Thompson at 703-792-6641.

You can also receive updates on Planning Office happenings by signing up for the Prince William County eNotifications Service, which allows Prince William County to send electronic notices, alerts and information to subscribed users. Visit http://www.pwcgov.org/eservices/enotifications/subscribe.asp to sign up.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Nokesville, Bristow and Brentsville areas every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Katherine at .