Quadgod Amazes, Students Farm, 'Heart & Soul' Endures: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include eighth-grade students growing produce through vertical farming for their school's food pantry, a post office getting named after a beloved mail carrier, and a church donating $200,000 to prevent its neighbors from getting evicted.

Plus, a Fairfax County teen becomes the first to finish a quadruple axel at the World Figure Skating Championships, McLean High School's news magazine wins Gold Crown for excellence, and 2006 Final Four starter Tony Skinn returns to his alma mater as head coach.

Here are some of this week's good news headlines:

Students' Innovative Farming Feeds Fairfax County School's Food Pantry

A group of eighth-grade students at Fairfax County's Luther Jackson Middle School created a project that grows produce through vertical farming. That produce supplies the middle school's food pantry, which serves around 70 families.

Custodian Of 42 Years Is 'Heart And Soul' Of Alexandria School: Principal

Patricia Morgan has been around Alexandria City Public Schools for a long time, from being a graduate of what was then T.C. Williams High School to starting as a custodian in 1981. She's still there after 42 years and played a key role in helping Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School succeed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Morgan started as a custodian in 1981 at then-T.C. Williams High School, now Alexandria City High School.

Vienna Figure Skater Completes First Quadruple Axel At Worlds

Vienna senior Ilia Malinin, who made history in figure skating competition, once again proved why he is the self-proclaimed "Quadg0d." Malinin, an 18-year-old Marshall High School senior, became the first to finish a quadruple axel at the World Figure Skating Championships in Japan.

Arlington Post Office Named After Beloved Mail Carrier Jesus Collazos

Local leaders, family members of Jesus Collazos and community members gathered at the U.S. Post Office on N. George Mason Drive in Arlington on Sunday morning for the official dedication of the Jesus Collazos Post Office. Collazos, a beloved mail carrier in Arlington, died in June 2020 at the age of 67 after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Eviction Of Families Avoided By Arlington Church's Donation Of $200K

Arlington Presbyterian Church donated $200,000 to ensure that about 200 families who live in apartment complexes owned by Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing will not be evicted from their homes. Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey described the church's donation as “an incredible act of generosity."

Wizards And Muggles Apparate For Harry Potter Trivia Night In Herndon

More than 90 "Potterheads" converged on the Herndon Community Center on March 24 to take part in the Harry Potter Trivia Night hosted by the Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Department. Wizards and muggles of all ages tested their Potter-knowledge by answering questions based on the eight Harry Potter films and not the books.

Top High School Performers

• McLean High School's News Magazine Wins Gold Crown For Excellence
• Wakefield High School Senior Wins National Gold For Art Portfolio

Performing and Visual Arts

• Children In McLean Encouraged To Join Art Teacher's Recycled Art Event
• NYC's Acclaimed David Dorfman Dance To Perform At The Alden In McLean
• Cappies Review: 'The Music Man' At Bishop Ireton High School
• Cappies Review: 'The Love Doctor' At Meridian High School

Taco Bamba and Other Restaurant Openings

• Taco Bamba's 2nd Arlington Location Coming To Shirlington This Spring
• New Taco Bamba Location Coming To Fair Lakes Promenade Next Fall
• Taco Bamba Herndon Set To Open In April At Dulles Shopping Plaza
• Our Mom Eugenia Ready To Serve Greek Food At New Arlington Location
• Nando's Moves To Alexandria's Carlyle Neighborhood
• Elaine's Restaurant Brings Alexandria, Egypt To Alexandria, Virginia

Spring Is Here

• Easter Brunch 2023: See Restaurant Options Around Vienna
• Del Ray's First Thursday Includes Cherry Blossom Scavenger Hunt
• Virginia's 90th Historic Garden Week Includes Alexandria Tour
• Taste Of Vienna, Walk On The Hill: Spring 2023 Events In Vienna
• Inaugural Blossom Fest Planned For April 8 At Springfield Town Center

A Few More Good News Stories:

• Final Four Starter Tony Skinn Picked As George Mason's Next Head Coach
• Robert Griffin III Looks To Join Commanders Ownership Bid
• Franconia District Police Honored For Work On Vehicle Theft Prevention
• Annandale Resident Wins $1M In Virginia Lottery's Mega Millions Game
• North Pole Trip Canceled; Reston Man To Climb Mount Everest Instead
• Virtual Skincare Consultation Platform Launched From Vienna