Highland Springs High School celebrated its 115th commencement ceremony at Richmond Raceway June 15. “You were created on purpose, with purpose, for a purpose,” Alicia Atkins, Varina District School Board representative, told the graduating class Class of 2021. “This diploma you're about to receive reflects your achievements, your success.” The celebratory atmosphere began with graduates entering wearing black gowns and caps, along with gold tassels with gold sashes draped around their necks. Some students wore several multi-colored cords honoring various achievements. “After we leave this day, know that we are the faces of America and can make change in the...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

Educators from The James River Association visited Johnson, Fair Oaks and Donahoe elementary schools recently to help Paint Out Pollution, a project designed to increase public awareness of stormwater pollution and celebrate the native plant and animal species that call the James River home. Students used stencils created by several local artists and Art on Wheels to spray paint art on storm drains at their schools. For details about the project, which is funded through support from JRA partners NOAA and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, visit thejamesriver.org.Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

Henrico native Townley Haas has qualified for his second Olympics, finishing second in the men’s 200-meter freestyle swimming event June 15 during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. Haas earned a gold medal as part of the 4x200 relay team in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now 24, he’ll be the only member of that team to compete at this summer’s games in Tokyo, Japan. The games were delayed by a year because of the pandemic. Haas is a 2019 graduate of the University of Texas, where he won 10 individual NCAA titles. The Longhorns...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

Henrico Police Animal Protection officers have reported the first known case of rabies in the county this year. A raccoon caught by a dog in the back yard of a residence in the 3800 block of Reynard Court in the Three Chopt District tested positive for rabies. The dog involved in the incident will be quarantined on the owner’s property. There were no additional animal or human exposures reported. Animal Protection officials encourage residents to ensure that their pets’ rabies vaccinations are current and to report abnormal wildlife behavior and any possible rabies exposures to the Henrico Police Non-Emergency Communications...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are being urged to make an appointment to give blood soon. Right now, hospitals are responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. In comparison to 2019, the Red Cross has seen demand from trauma centers climb by 10% in 2021− more than five times the...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher June 14 received a Virginia House of Delegates Joint Resolution honoring him as a distinguished leader at UR and in higher education. The resolution was presented by Henrico Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-72nd District), a UR alum. “I want to thank Dr. Ronald Crutcher for his years of service as president of the University of Richmond,” said VanValkenburg. “As an alumnus, I am proud to see the university’s growth under Dr. Crutcher’s leadership. His commitment to raising the university’s academic profile, increasing alumni engagement, and creating a strategic plan rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion,...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

GRTC will remain fare-free through June 2022, the organization’s board of directors decided Tuesday morning. Using state and federal COVID relief funding, GRTC has been able to provide free trips to passengers on its Local Bus, Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit), Express Bus, and CARE/Paratransit vans since March 19, 2020. The idea was implemented in response to public health measures and in the interest of economically distressed communities who rely on public transit services to reach jobs, food, healthcare, and other critical community resources, GRTC officials said. GRTC’s annual operating and capital expenditures for FY 2022 are expected to approach 0...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

Sportable presented the first-annual River City Slam wheelchair tennis tournament June 11-13, presented by The Abstract Athlete, at Collegiate School in Henrico's West End. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sportable’s mission to make sports accessible and inclusive in Virginia. The USTA sanctioned event included first-time players in divisions A, B, C, D and Juniors. Winners earned cash prizes.Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

The student artist behind the winning entry in U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger’s  Congressional Art Competition said he drew inspiration for his piece from the simultaneous crises over the past year.  “I wanted to tell a story,” Malik Kabani said. “The riots, social distancing and COVID; all of that. I really wanted to evoke that in my design and express that through the paper.” The winning piece, titled “Reality Through Mixed Media,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside winning pieces from congressional districts across the country. Kabani, 17, will graduate from Hermitage High School on Thursday....Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)

Clara Giorgis, daughter of Daniel and Ryan Giorgis of Glen Allen, recently graduated summa cum laude from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. Giorgis earned a bachelor of arts in Russian and International Studies. Other recognitions include dean’s list, Phi Beta Kappa, departmental honors in international studies, the Marianna Bogojavlensky Prize in Russian, and the Ganoe Prize in International Studies. She is a graduate of Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. *** Alexander Edward Tarr of Sandston was named to the spring 2021 dean’s list at Iowa State University. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade...Article LinkSupport the show (http://henricocitizen.com/contribute)