Five Military Kids Honored and a Military Family of the Year Surprised

Today Our Military Kids Organization honored five Military Kids of the year and one Military Family of the Year at the Naval Heritage Center. Our Military Kids, Inc is a non-profit organization that provides programs that nurture and sustain military children while a parent is serving our country overseas. Every year Our Military Kids conducs the ceremony A Celebration of Our Military Kids ' Star Power where they honor one military family and five military kids. The nominee selection process for this year’s star power event was based around how well the children are excelling in their particular program and the family of the year is determined by how well the soldier is doing in his or her deployment.

This year’s Military family of the year was the Karnbach family. The Karnbach family was surprised today at the Naval Heritage when 45 year old husband, father, soldier and Petty Officer Christopher Karnbach returned home two weeks early from his deployment. Petty Officer Christopher Karnbach surprised his two children when he came behind the curtains while the two of them were performing a martial art piece that they learned from a grant provided by Our Military Kids. His wife Anne Maries, and their children, Christopher, 9, and Abigail, 7, all burst into tears when they realized their father Christopher Karnbach had entered the room.

“I was so happy to see him, said Christopher Karnbach wife Anne Marie. I missed my husband he has been away for a year at Gitmo. Just to see his face brought so much joy! I had no idea that he was returning back home early."

Christopher Karnbach added “The first thing we are going to do as a family is go is check out a national’s game this weekend. They are winning and I love baseball."

Before the Karnbach family were surprised, the Five Military kids of the year that performed for top military leadership were: Anya Alexis Wilkie, Jonathan Harrell, Decorda Owens Baleigh Wheeler, and Sydney Schmidt. All five of the Our Military Kids performers received grants in dance and orchestra. Anya Alexis Willis,7, of Brighton Illonis, received a grant from Our Military Kids to attend violin camp. Jonathan Harrell, 10, of Charleston Virginia, also received a grant to continue piano lesson. Decorda Owens, 13, of Starkville Mississippi, received a grant to take hip-hop classes. Baleigh Wheeler, the 15 year of Greenville Virginia, also received a grant to continue taking dance classes. All five of the selected military children were honored with a trophy that read Our Military Kid of The Year 2012.

Every year Our Military Kids honors five Military Kids across the nation. According to Our Military Kids Fact Sheet, Between April 2005 and February 2012, Our Military has provide more than 35,000 grants totaling $14 million to children of deployed service members from every branched of the military living in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Virgin Island, Guam and the District of Colombia.

D.C's third meth Lab bust within a short period of 6 months in a luxury apartment complex

D.C Police conducted a meth lab bust at 1825 Summit Place Lanier Heights in Adams Morgan on Wednesday afternoon. Inside of the Park East Apartments Complex lies apartment 3345 where authorities charged and arrested meth lab owner, 31-year-old Hugh L. Elsbrees with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methylene. Hugh L. Elsbree is a physical therapist, a graduate of Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. and obtains a master’s degree from Boston University. According to police, they found the suspected meth estimated to be worth $30,000 in Elsbree apartment. However this is rare in the district but this is not the first meth lab bust in the area. The first meth lab bust was in November, second one was a fire caused by meth lab materials in January, and now this week. The suspicious meth lab fire back in January was also in a luxury apartment in the 16000 block of R Street. Police believed that the cause of the January fire was from materials used to manufacture meth.

It is more common to find usage of cocaine and marijuana in the district rather than meth, said D.A Attorney Ching Moscato. D.A Attorney Ching Moscato want’s the public to know that meth labs are not popular in the district. “This is not a trend. I want to make sure everyone understands that it's rare for authorizes to confiscate meth labs in the district. Most Meth labs are used and confiscated in Mexico and Midwest. So no it is not a trend at all. Just a random drug bust.”

After a fight on April 7 that Elbaree’s had gotten into on Columbia Road, police searched and found 14 grams of cocaine on him at the time of his arrest . Authorizes then searched Elbaree’s apartment, police found Elbaree’s fiancé, his 6-week- old daughter, and meth estimated to be worth 30,000 in a freezer in the kitchen.

The luxury apartment complex Park East Apartments is in the city of D.C, rental prices range from $1450-$1900, as stated on Park East Apartments website. Park East Apartments is a seven-story luxury building that offers studios and one-bed rooms units only. Many residents were shocked when they heard the news.

“ I couldn’t believe a graduate from Boston University with such a prestigious degree would do something like this. I find this very strange. This building is so huge that I can’t keep up with who comes in and out. This is shocking,” said James Johnson a resident in the fifth unit of Park East Apartments.

Elbaree has been released from jail and is now pending a May court appearance, according to court documents.

2- Year Old shot in the Face and the 17 year Old Shooter Gets Convicted

Yesterday a Prince George’s county jury returned a verdict of guilty in a case of 17-year old Devin Matos. The 2 year old toddler DeAndre Johnson was shot in the face while he and his mother sat outside of their Glenarden apartment on August 22, 2011. The m other of the 2 year old toddler, Shaneka Johnson, held her son and ran immediately when she heard the gun shots that summer evening. Once she got into her apartment she then realized that her toddler was struck in the face by a bullet while in her arms.

Prince George’s state Attorney Angela Alsobrooks issued a statement at Thursday’s press conference. “ Deandre is still in critical condition. He has a testmophy in his throat. I feel for him and his mother. It’s a good thing that we found the shooter and we look forward to June 8th when Devin Matos is sentenced to jail time.”

So far it is unknown how the 17 year old Devin Matos got possession of a firearm. He is now guilty of two counts of assault, three handgun-related crimes and reckless endangerment. Matos intended target is still a mystery, but Shaneka Johnson and DeAndre along with his twin sister were not the attend target.


Prince George’s state Attorney Angela Alsobrook said “We want to get these people out of our community. Anyone that has a firearm, and killers.”

Doctors tell DeAndre family that the 2 year old faces as many as 10 years of surgery. DeAndre’s face is now deformed. Shaneka Johnson is still devastated about her toddle being strut by a bullet and added at the press conference that her son will never be the same. Shooter Devin Matos was once the top ranked Olympic Junior Boxer before suffering a shoulder injury. That’s when Matos began hanging out with the wrong crowd. Matos was supposed to fight this upcoming 2012 Junior Olympic Boxing Match but instead the teen will be behind bars.

Devin Matos faces up to 75 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8th.

D.C High School Seniors Surprised With a $225,236 Full-Ride Scholarships

By: Monica Brown

George Washington University awarded nine D.C high school seniors Thursday with a four year scholarship worth a generous amount of $225,236. The George Washington University officials along with GW’s Mascot George visited eight schools in the D.C area. These nine D.C high schools seniors were awarded with GW’s Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarship which covers tuition, room and board, books and fees at George Washington University. GW’s School officials, the school’s Mascot George, Parents and George Washington University President Steven Knapp all hand delivered acceptance letters and stood in front of each of the nine students’ classrooms announcing the winners of the free college education financial scholarships packages for the class of 2016.


“Nothing is more satisfying than to surprise an aspiring young student with a full scholarship,” said GW President Steven Knapp. “I look forward to welcoming these talented students to the GW community next fall.”

The Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships are based on SAT scores, GPA, class rank, teacher recommendations, course of study, community service and leadership qualities. According to GW’s Media Relations Specialist Angela Olson, to date, the University has committed more than $16.5 million to the program. The scholarship award program was formerly named the GW 21st Century Scholarships but renamed after GW president Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.

One of the winners awarded with a full ride scholarship at GW was, Nia Christian, a Senior of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. Nia Christian was completely shocked when President Steven Knapp announced her name in front of her classmates.

“I applied for so many scholarships and I was constantly denied”, said Nia Christian. “I am thrilled to be awarded this scholarship and yes I am no longer looking at other schools, I’m officially a Colonial.”

Rebecca Christian, a reading specialist and mother of Nia Christian added “It’s good to see that my daughter was awarded this scholarship,” Rebecca Christian told reporters.“To see someone like her receiving this award means a lot. She doesn’t fit the normal stereotypes of who should attend this prestigious college.”

Once these nine students are fully admitted into GW under the SJT Scholarship Program, they must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester and maintain academic satisfactory progress with a GPA of 3.0, according to SJT Scholarship Program website. In this case all of the nine students awarded with the SJT scholarship have earned above a 3.0 GPA. In fact Nia Christian cumulative GPA in high school is 3.8.

These SJT award winners will pursue a career in engineering, acting, photography, poetry, international prosecutor, entrepreneurship, and a novelty. Start date for the nine D.C High School seniors is August 28th, 2012.

Here’s a list of this year’s SJT award winners: Taylor Young of Duke Ellington School for Arts; Avonda Fogan of the Maret School; Tinsley Harris and Edwin Musibira of Woodrow Wilson Senior High School; Darielle Anderson of Ceaser Chavez Public Charter School; Nia Christian of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School; Samantha Brews of McKinley Technology High School; Francisco Palucho of Francis L. Cardozo High School; and Ayodele Akosile of The SEED School of Washington, D.C.

Boxing Champion Lamont Peterson Agrees To A Rematch Against Former Champion Amir Khan in Vegas

Champion Lamont Peterson and British Boxer Amir Khan held a press conference at the W Hotel in Washington D.C., Thursday afternoon, announcing a boxing rematch between World Champion Lamont Peterson facing former Two-Time World Champion Amir Khan called “Peterson vs. Khan II: No Doubt” on May 19 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Super Lightweight World Champion Lamont Peterson displayed his WBA and IBF belts, which Two-Time World Champion Amir Khan’s once worn before the downfall December 10, 2011 fight, causing it to get striped away from the former champ. At the December 10th Peterson vs. Khan fight, Khan is claiming that a major call by referee Joe Cooper was unfair. Khan feels as though Peterson had a home turf advantage. Peterson was born and raised in D.C. Also, Peterson was once homeless at an early age in Washington D.C, and Khan believes that Peterson had a huge advantage over the former champion. After several negotiation and calls between team Peterson and team Khan, Peterson team agreed to Khan’s pleads for a rematch.

“It’s been burning me for a real long time that’s why I want this fight as soon as possible. I want to thank him and his team for accepting this fight. It was hard to negotiate to get the fight on but at the end we did get the fight and it’s going to be another terrific, explosive fight. We are both at our peeks we’re young and that’s what made the first fight great and the second one will be even better.” said Amir Khan.”

Fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas as well as those watching around the world on HBO and SKY, will see one of boxing’s most intense grudge matches when the two boxers fight in a highly anticipated rematch of their December 10, 2011 fight. Khan is putting everything into this fight to win back his belt. While Peterson just wants everyone to know that maybe this time around team Khan will accept the fact that he won fair and square.

“I’m a little up set with some fans and media for entertaining anything that Khan says when you can clearly look at the tape, at any view, at any time, sound on or sound off and see that he fouled. A lot of people don’t know some of the damage that he had done by fouling me but at the end of the day he was fouled and nothing shady happened in D.C,” said Lamont Peterson

The “Peterson vs. Khan II: No Doubt” showdown in Vegas tickets are priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50 for purchase at the Mandalay Box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations. Also tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com or www.mandaylaybay.com. “More than half of UK fans have bought tickets, it looks like it’s going to be a UK audience, unless more American’s purchase tickets. Don’t let UK take over in Vegas come May 19th.” says Kevin Flaherty President of HBO.

If you are unable to attend “Peterson vs. Khan II: No Doubt” showdown, the fight will also be broadcast live on HBO World Champion Boxing on May 19th from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas at 10:45 p.m. ET/7:45 p.m.

2012 NEDA Eating Disorders Awareness Walk continues despite girl having seizure.

The 2012 Washington NEDA Disorders Awareness Walk, kicked off at 11:00am, Sunday February 19, 2012 for a 5k circuit of the National Mall. Registration opened at 9:00am and the walk began at the National Mall exactly at 11:10am. The Walk was delayed ten minutes, after a 20-year-old girl, that wishes to remain anonymous had a seizure. Around 10:45am the girl began to have a seizure. At this time the cause of the seizure was unknown. Before Paramedics rushed to the scene at 10:55am, a nurse named Kelly a girl who was participating at the walk, try to help the young woman before the paramedics arrived.

Over 300 participants stood in front of event and health organizer at American University: Alan Duffy, as he opened the walk with words of encouragement. Lines rapped around three of the registration tables: two walk-ins registration tables, and one online-preregistered table. NEDA, which stands for National Eating Disorder Association, has been around since 2009. NEDA’s main focus at the 2012 Eating Disorders Awareness Walk was bringing awareness around the community, in addition to vital funds, and spirits in the fight of eating disorders.

As participants registered for the Eating Disorders Awareness Walk at the National Mall, volunteers informed the participants on what’s are eating disorders by passing out educational pamphlets. Last year was Washington’s 1st Annual Eating Disorders Awareness Walk. For the 2nd Annual Eating Disorders Awareness Walk, NEDA teamed up with American University’s Wellness Center. According to Marie Banes, one of the volunteers of the NEDA Washington location said, “We raised 10,000 last year and this year we raised 32,000 as you can see we had a great turnout”. Banes volunteered last year when only 60 people showed up, a year later they triple the numbers with over 300 participants and ten confirmed dog owners brought there dog out with them for this years Walk. The Top three participants who raised the most money were: Leah Siskin (3,003.00), Barbara Siskin (1,460.00) and Stephanie Layne ($1,425.00). The Top three teams were: Sarah’s Squad (9,767.00), The Road to Recovery ($2,865.00) and Pam’s Team ($2,475.00).

Director of Programs Susie Roman joined the eating disorders walk at the National Mall. Roman’s fourth year as director for NEDA, she was thrilled to see that NEDA raised 22,000 more than last years 10,000 earnings. Roman said, “I’m thrilled that we have such an amazing staff, volunteers and that more and more people are becoming aware of this touchy subject”. When asked if she believes the media is responsible for body images she responded by saying “ Eating Disorders are very complex, there’s many factors involved in eating disorders that I can’t just say the media because it’s very complex”.

A supporter named James who didn’t walk the 3.2 miles said he arrived at 9am to support his sister. James’s sister dealt with numerous cases of eating disorders while growing up. Right now she’s fighting to overcome the disorder brings awareness at the same time. When asked why James was not walking side by side with his sister, he replied, “I don’t have the 25 dollar fee but I am here supporting her throughout her journey”. James who is an 20 year old college student inspiring to become a preacher talked about issues he’s dealt with in the past. James’s drug addiction led him to his re-birth Christianity and why he puts god first. James said, “ I understand what’s an addiction, I can relate to my sister, rather it’s drugs or an disorder it’s still an addiction.

Although NEDA is a well-known organization, Kaitlyn Wozniak helped with promotions and bringing Channel 9, ABC 7, Timberline Knolls, and NBC 4 to this year’s Eating Disorders Walk Awareness. Wozniak also organized a radio interview at WJLK to inform the public about NEDA’s 2012 Washington Eating Disorders Walk at the National Mall. Wozniak found out about NEDA organization, after personal struggles with Eating Disorders, Wozniak finds it refreshing to be apart of NEDA and bringing awareness to the community.

Once every participant completed their 5 k circuit walk around the National Mall, many participants gathered around the refreshment table. The refreshment table consists of four bottles of waters, three packs of fourteen apples, chewy variety pack and left over pamphlets from the introduction of the walk.

After everyone settled down from their walk, again, Alan Duffy the event organizer spoke final words about the over all event. Duffy asked for a moment of silence for all of 24 million lives that were lost over Eating Disorders. All of the participants then gave Duffy an round of applause, they received T-shirts and special thanks to participants outside of the D.C area that came out. Duffy’s final words was about Thursday’s 5pm candle light visual at American University, where they will share stories of recovery, family members stories and bringing awareness on American University’s campus.

Hyattsville Students learn book binding from a Free Workshop at Brentwood Arts Exchange

There were six students enrolled in Book Arts and Beyond: Teens Art Workshop at Brentwood Arts Exchange, Saturday February 24, 2012. Brentwood Arts Exchange is a nonprofit organization that reaches out to the youth between the ages of 13-18 years old. Brentwood Arts Exchange offers free programs that uplift students while challenging their listening and comprehension skills and shaping them to be better artists, students, and teenagers.

Saturday’s workshop was taught by instructor Karyn O’ Brown. Brown has been working at Brentwood Arts Exchange for approximately five years. Some of her students are returning students from other schools, workshops, and some found out about the workshop byword of mouth. After a successful career in London, Brazil, Turkey, Brown dedicates her time helping the youth and elderly. Brown’s class level complexity ranges from easy binding book techniques to creating difficult sculptures and portraits at a timely manner. “I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. I was a student at one point and I’ve learned not to be hard on my students because art can be expressed in many ways, there’s no wrong or right way to express yourself in my class,” said Karyn O’ Brown.

The turn out for Karyn’s workshop resulted to only two out of six registered students showed up for Karyn’s workshop. One of the two students arrived 20 minutes late while the other student, Benuegg Leston, arrived 10 minutes early to the 10:30 workshop class.

Benuegg Leston is a 12 year old boy that attends Hyattsville Maryland Middle School. Leston found out about the workshop from his mother. Once his mother told him about the three hour class at Brentwood, Leston was thrilled about the workshop and could not wait to attend Brentwood Arts Exchange workshop. Brenda Leston, son of Benuegg Leston described her son to be very artistic. “My son enjoys painting he has an eye for art, especially when he’s involved in these type of art workshop. This is right up my son’s alley,” said Brenda Leston. Benuegg Leston is currently a member of his school’s Art club at Hyattsville Maryland Middle School. Leston enjoys helping out with his school’s morning announcement, drawing, painting and designing sculpture on his free time. If the seventh grader Benuegg Leston wasn’t at the workshop on Saturday he probably would have been sleeping, taking swimming lesson, or even participating in school sports on his Saturday morning but he chose Brentwood’s Book Arts and Beyond workshop.

Assistant Director of Brentwood Arts Exchange Phil Davis discussed his involvement in Saturday’s day workshop. “Planning this event was simple. We already know our target audience so we just find out what interest students in the Hyattsville area, and once we find that out we start our promotion around the community,” said Davis. Davis works very closely with Administrative Assistant Ashley McDonald who has a degree in marketing from Eastern Michigan University. McDonald is in charge of taking pictures, answering questions about events when people call, and making sure everyone can register for the event online or by phone. Coordinating fliers distribution to high schools, facilitating partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington for community outreach efforts are some of the big responsibilities that McDonald must report back to Assistant Director Phil Davis.
Although the turnout was not as Phil Davis, Karyn O’ Brown and Ashley McDonald expected, they are happy to report March 21 workshop that will contain paint sculptures, snacks, and a brief educational lesson about the history of Art. The workshop target audience is the same from Saturday’s audience 13-18 years old.