text:
I have an old recipe of my grandmother's for sugar cookies and I'd love for them to turn out just like hers. However, whenever I try to roll out the dough, I find I either can't get it thin enough, it is too sticky or it ends up tearing. What are the proper tools and techniques I need to roll out sugar cookie dough?
Take the 2-minute tour ×
Seasoned Advice is a question and answer site for professional and amateur chefs. It's 100% free, no registration required.
There's a lot of things that can throw off baking recipes --
In your case, for rolled doughs:
You might also want to see Baking 911 : Cookies Problems and Baking 911 : Rolled Cookies
The dough and everything with which it comes in contact must be chilled as much as possible. Chill the dough thoroughly. Throw the rolling pin in there, too. Once you take everything out, work quickly so that it doesn't warm up before you're done.
We experimented with a new cookie dough recipe last Christmas and I ended up rolling it into thick sheets and then putting it in the freezer for a while before I finished rolling it out.


text:
A couple of miles or so north east of Honiton is a little village called Smeatharpe. There's little of anything interesting about this typical quaint Devon village, unless you look over the odd hedge.
If you did, you'll recognize the vast slabs of concrete that are beginning to melt in to the green of the fields, because this was RAF Upottery.
The life of this place was incredibly short, a year of operational use, that became the UK home and starting point for a story that became a household name.
Today, I had a stroll around the old airfield, I walked all of the runways, and one now has a cow shed on it. I walked further, climbed fences and saw the remains of the bomb dump. And even checked out the sad state of this ancient Air Traffic Control Tower.
To me, airbases hold something special. These are the places where men and women came to live, fight and die. These people sometimes travelled great distances, may be they might have been orphaned by their then fallen home nation, or might have just lived around the corner.
But the gates on these places were for many, the last gates they walked through, as so many thousands past through them never to return, to never know a world without war, or indeed – to feel freedom once again.
The pressures were high, so the social scene was often intense, but more to the point in this case, these slabs of concrete and one building was the last friendly home and embarkation point to E Company, 506th Regiment, attached to 101st Airborne Division. I'll translate: Home and embarkation point to Easy Company – the Band of Brothers…
Well Hanks and Spielberg certainly didn't film the show here, but as the sun fell on Upottery today, I thought about this place and it's other roles in that one year, its anti-submarine warfare and air logistics.
For a moment, I stood in the center of where one runway intersects another. watching the sun go down, feeling the breeze of a dying summer and listening to the field of silence around me.
Sometimes, I don't ever want to be anywhere else than where I am at a moment like that.
To me, these places mean something, to others – they're just another field with a slab of decaying concrete.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Practice Philosophy
Our practice philosophy is to provide the highest standard of patient care in specialized, multifaceted, professional office that has a unique concept in beauty and health; dedicated to providing the highest standard to our patient, both clinically and scientifically.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
New office visits will include an initial consultation to discuss your individual needs. This will consist of a physical examination as well as education, which may include video tapes. Your condition and surgical options, risks and benefits will be discussed with Dr. Zavell at this time.
Dr. Zavell performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery at all Toledo area hospitals. In addition, he goes to several ambulatory surgery centers in Toledo for outpatient and short stay (23 hour, overnight) procedures; Executive Park Surgery Center, Surgi-Care, Wildwood Surgery Center and Regency Outpatient Surgery Center.
Location & Office Hours
Suite 250
2865 North Reynolds Road
Toledo, OH 43615
View Map
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Payment Options
Medicare, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Patient Financing, Cash, Personal Checks, CareCredit, Bank and Other Financing Programs, Credit Cards, HMO/PPO/Other Insurance


text:
Skip to Section Subnavigation Skip to Page Content
Skip to Page Content
An alumna of the class of 1938, Sister Mary George was an integral part of the Rosemont College community for more than 70 years.
Campus Ministry's Lenten Prayer series continues on Fridays this year, beginning March 15. A brief communion service will be held in Immaculate Conception Chapel at 12:05 p.m. Email Campus Ministry for more information.
Featured last week in National Catholic Reporter, Holy Child Sister Terri MacKenzie offers a Lenten reflection series from the lens of environmental spirituality. Each session connects the Sunday Lenten scripture readings with the wisdom of contemporary writers. The sessions highlight the roles of earth and trees in the week's scripture readings and how they connect with what God asks of us.
The SHCJ has posted its monthly meditation, with this month's honoring love since Valentine's Day is around the corner. Read the reflection then watch the video and share your thoughts.
On December 13, take a break from the stress and busyness of the end of the semester - give yourself some time to breathe. All are welcome to stop by the Campus Ministry Lounge between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. for have some snacks and rest in relaxing space.
The Office of Campus Ministry is collecting non-perishable food items and winter clothing for various community organizations as well as the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. Donations can be made from November 11 - 18 at the Minstry Office, which is located on the lower level of the Chapel.
All are welcome to "Sleep Out" of the back Mayfield parking Lot on Thursday night (Nov. 15) into Friday morning. The Sleep Out will begin at 10 PM or immediatley following the men's basketball game. Please contact email@example.com for more information or with any questions.
Rosemont College was asked to participate in the making of a block for a quilt to commemorate 150 years of the SHCJ in America. All of the schools and institutions belonging to the SHCJ are represented in the quilt. Cathy Fennell, exectutive director of the library, created the Rosemont College block, which is the first block on the third row.
Please consider donating an item(s) to the Cornelian Service Corps.' toy drive being held in honor of Homless Children's Awareness Week, which occurs from October 14 to October 20. Donations can be dropped off in the Ministry Office beginning today until Monday, October 22. Donations will be given to the non-profit Cradles to Crayons.
Rosemont's Cornelian Service Corps. will be volunteering with the after-school program at The Providence Center - a North Philadelphia non-profit that was established in 1993 by Holy Child Sisters to continue fulfilling the educational and spiritual needs of the community - on Thursday, October 11.


text:
Prepare for your flights
Book a trip
View latest offers departing from
Loading ...
Prices exclude all applicable taxes and surcharges.
The World's Best Regional Airline for the fourth time.
We're proud to have been voted the "World's Best Regional Airline" and "Best Regional Airline in Asia" by over 18 million travellers in the 2015 Skytrax Awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for us.
Find out more about the destinations we fly to.
Find out more about the destinations we fly to.


text:
Careers and Internships
Experiences of Current and Past Presidential Management Fellows at EPA
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Susan Anenberg
Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (Research Triangle Park)
I work in the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, where I help quantify impacts of changes in global and domestic emissions on health and climate. This work is aimed at bringing science and policy together to find strategies that benefit both health and climate simultaneously.
I earned an MS in Environmental Science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2008 and am currently working towards my PhD in the same field, with a subfocus in Environmental Policy. I completed my undergraduate degrees in Biology and Environmental Science at Northwestern in 2004 and was a Recommendations Specialist at the US Chemical Safety Board from 2004-2006. I'm originally from Cincinnati (who dey) and in my spare time I enjoy traveling, running, hiking, cooking, and eating.
Robert Anderson
Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Transportation and Air Quality
I graduated with an MA in Political Science from Washington State University and a BA in Political Science from Saint Martin's College. Prior to college, I served in the US Air Force as a Loadmaster for five years where I got to travel to over 60 countries and to 48 of the 50 states. I also worked for the Washington State Employment Security Department, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy, and WSU's Office of Student Conduct. I also was a substitute teacher for six months.
At OTAQ I work on a variety of fuels issue with most of my work focusing on renewable fuels. I do data analysis on new fuels and fuel additives and currently I spend all of my time (it seems) evaluating the possibility of increasing the maximum allowable ethanol content in gasoline above 10 volume percent. I also am the primary author of EPA's fuel trends reports, and work on several rule other rulemakings. I did a rotation as a budget detailee to OMB for the Obama Administration's first budget (FY2010), which was quite an experience.
In my spare time, I like to read and visit museums. My wife and I are expecting our first child in September of 2010 after which I will probably have no free time…
Katherine Antos
Office of Water, Wetlands Division
I joined the Wetlands Division in the Office of Water in July 2007. I help state and tribal governments strengthen their programs to regulate, monitor, restore, and protect wetland resources. I am evaluating a pilot grant program, identifying strategies for states and tribes to finance their wetlands programs, and working with EPA Regions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Midwestern states, and universities to evaluate the role of wetland restoration in reducing nutrient pollution to the Gulf of Mexico.
Since rowing for Brown University's Women's Crew, I have wanted a career protecting water resources. I graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies in 2003 and spent two years conducting regulatory analyses and program evaluations for EPA, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at a Cambridge, Massachusetts consulting firm. I earned a Masters in City Planning and an Environmental Planning Certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a researcher for the MIT-USGS Science Impact Collaborative. As part of this research, I evaluated the role of public participation, consensus-building, and science in policy development and worked with USGS and the Bureau of Reclamation on water allocation disputes in Maui, Hawaii and the Columbia River Basin in Washington State.
I am enjoying my new life in Washington, D.C. by training for local road races, exploring Virginia's wine country, and expanding my cooking horizons with fresh produce from the Dupont Circle Farmers' Market.
Alyssa Arcaya
Region 2, Division of Environmental Planning and Protection (New York City)
I joined EPA's Region 2 office in New York City in July 2009 as the Regional Water Coordinator. My work focuses on a wide array of water resource issues that affect our region, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. I coordinate our Clean Water Action Section 106 program, which provides grants to states, territories and tribes for water pollution control programs. I'm also active in our regional climate change workgroup and interested in incorporating consideration of climate change into our water programs.
I graduated with a Master's in Environmental Management from Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies with a focus on climate change adaptation. While at Yale, I interned at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi, India, where I worked on climate adaptation projects for several Indian states. I was also a project associate for the Global Environmental Governance Project, helping to organize a forum on the future international environmental governance in Glion, Switzerland. I have a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Brown University. My research there focused fisheries, particularly the Rhode Island lobster industry.
As a native New Yorker, I was thrilled to find a PMF position in my hometown. It's been interesting to learn about EPA's work from a regional perspective and see the impacts of our programs on a local level. Though I'm excited to spend a rotation in DC, I'm not ready to give up good pizza, real bagels and a subway that runs all night.
Laura Baker
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Transportation and Air Quality (Ann Arbor)
After earning a BA communications, I graduated with a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Studies in Environmental Laws from Vermont Law School. In law school I clerked with the Department of Justice, Environmental Enforcement Section, helping to litigate several high profile power plant cases, and interned with the non-profit Trout Unlimited. I also served as a research assistant on issues related to international environmental law and worked on behalf of the South Royalton Legal Clinic.
Within EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) I work in the Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division. Here I am able to create and influence new regulatory policy for the regulation of mobile sources and ensure industry compliance with existing regulations and the Clean Air Act.
In February I completed a rotation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Honolulu, Hawaii. There I learned about the National Wildlife Refuge System firsthand as I researched and documented shoreline and coastal access issues, historic preservation, and the applicability of Federal laws in U.S. territories.
Panah Bhalla
Office of International and Tribal Affairs
"I joined EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA) in 2009 as an International Environmental Program Specialist. I work in the bilateral half of the office, which partners with environmental agencies and administrations around the world to improve global environmental stewardship. I did my PMF rotation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where I worked on the Land and Water Team and focused on ecosystem services.
Since returning to OITA after my rotation, I have worked on both the Asia-Pacific Team and the Latin America and Caribbean Team. This opportunity has enabled me to gain a diverse set of experiences and contribute to major international engagements ranging from the Rio+20 conference to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. I also lead my teams' work on electronic waste and was part of the Interagency Task Force on Electronics Stewardship. I am currently organizing the Global E-Waste Management (GEM) Network.
I have wanted to work in the environmental field since childhood, but my passion for international issues developed when I was an undergraduate Environmental Sciences major at Northwestern University. I studied abroad in Mali, West Africa and did an independent research project on desertification there. After college, I lived in Vietnam as a research fellow, then went on to complete a Master of Environmental Management degree at Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. I am now enjoying living in Washington, D.C. In my spare time I try to grow vegetables in my community garden (and eat them), play softball and do yoga, and volunteer as a GED teacher. "
|Julia Burch
|Office of Planning, Analysis and Accountability, Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
"I work in EPA's Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) tracking and analyzing budget proposals and performance results for the CFO and EPA leadership. I serve as a key liaison for OCFO working with the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance (OECA) in executing the Agency's planning, budgeting, and performance measurement work. I also work with EPA's major program offices in the Agency's Futures and Innovative Technology workgroup. As part of this role I serve as OCFO liaison to biodigesters and biogas work group comprised of EPA staff, representatives from other federal agencies, and business and technical experts from the private sector. My PMF required rotation was to the office of Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. for eight months. I focused primarily on energy and environmental issues for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. My duties included meeting with constituents and interest groups, researching issues, briefing the Senator on topics of interest, advising staff on specific situations or requests, drafting legislation, writing letters to agencies, and working with staff from other Senate offices and federal agencies.
I came to EPA as a PMF in 2011. I graduated with a Master's of Public Affairs that same year from the Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin where I studied environmental policy and dispute resolution. Prior to graduate school and EPA, I worked in Florida for about eight years in a variety of environmental positions including Public Outreach Coordinator for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Land Protection Specialist and resident biologist for the Sarasota Conservation Foundation, consultant for Charlotte County Department of Parks and Recreation, and in code enforcement for Sarasota County. I also worked as a aquatic technician for Montgomery County in Maryland. I received my undergraduate degree from New College of Florida in 2002. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, gardening, ballet and exploring DC and its environs with my family."
|Susan Burden
"I joined the Office of Research and Development's (ORD) Office of Science Policy (OSP) in October 2010. OSP integrates and communicates scientific information from ORD's laboratories and centers as well as ORD's expert advice on the use of scientific information. As a Physical Scientist in OSP, I help to coordinate and provide support for one of ORD's multi-disciplinary research studies. I completed a rotation with the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) in EPA's Office of Water during my second year as a PMF. While at OWOW, I worked on identify long-term research needs for the Clean Water Act Section 404 program, which regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
Prior to joining EPA, I received my B.S. in chemistry from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and my Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. My husband and I moved to Alexandria, Virginia, in September 2010 and welcomed our son into the world in August 2011. "
|Debra Coffel
|Office of the Inspector General, Office of Audits, Efficiency Audits Group (Washington, D.C.)
"I joined the EPA as a 2010 PMF and work in the Washington, D.C. Office of the Inspector General, Office of Audit, Efficiency Audits as a management & program analyst assigned to an audit team. The Efficiency Audits Product Line conducts audits of EPA programs and operations to identify ways to realize cost savings thus freeing resources for high priority environmental projects.
For my developmental assignment I was lucky enough to work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hawaiian & Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Honolulu, HI. The experience was a great value to my development as I was able to 1) analyze and evaluate appropriate technical/scientific environmental data; 2) enhance skills in evaluating information access policies/programs; 3) enhance skills in leading and supporting complex projects; and 4) enhance skills in developing written communication products and policy papers. All requirements for advancement in my career.
Prior to joining the EPA, I retired from the Air Force after 22 years. After spending some time in the private sector and unhappy with what I was doing, I decided to return to college. I obtained a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in management and project management. I also obtained a certificate as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt - skills I'm able to use in the Efficiency Audit group.
Outside the EPA, I enjoy exploring the D.C. area and experiencing the local culture. I love the diversity, entertainment, great food, and enriching opportunities available. "
Bridgid Curry
Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation
I am a 2007 PMF working in the Regulatory Analysis and Policy Division of the Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation. In my current position, I review proposed regulations on a wide range of topics from air quality to pesticide exposure. Prior to joining EPA, I completed a joint master's degree program in public health and environmental management at Yale University. During graduate school, my academic focus was on environmental epidemiology and I worked on two large epidemiological studies investigating associations between air quality and childhood asthma. I received my bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Notre Dame and then spent several years working as a research assistant investigating how changes in climate affect nutrient dynamics in a range of ecosystems from southern temperate forests to the arctic tundra.
Matthew Davis
Office of the Administrator, Office of Children's Health Protection
I am currently a Health Scientist at the Office of Children's Health Protection in headquarters. In that capacity, I work to shape regulations on cross-cutting environmental issues and develop interagency strategies for promoting healthy housing. For example, I participated in the work group reviewing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for nitrogen dioxide that were recently finalized. I helped communicate the most recent scientific literature on children's environmental health to the rest of the work group, account for children's unique vulnerabilities, and ensure that the standard was adequately protective of children. On the issue of healthy housing, I have helped to draft a strategy to improve the coordination of federal agencies' programs and promote a holistic approach to addressing household hazards such as lead paint, mold, pest allergens, pesticides and toxic building materials.
I completed my Master of Public Health degree at Dartmouth Medical School in 2009. Before enrolling at Dartmouth, I was the Organizational Development Regional Director for Environment America and U.S. PIRG, overseeing and advising the work of Environment Maine, Environment New Hampshire, Environment Iowa, Environment Georgia and Georgia PIRG. As part of that work, I wrote and managed grants for more than $400,000 annually to fund work in various states, and co-authored numerous policy reports on issues ranging from water pollution to global warming emissions from the transportation sector. I was the founder and Advocate at Environment Maine from 2003-2006, representing the organization to Maine media, organizations and decision makers. Previously, I was U.S. PIRG's New England Field Organizer, organizing in Maine since 2001. I graduated from Swarthmore College in 2001 with a B.A. in Biology and an Environmental Studies concentration, Phi Beta Kappa.
Rachel Eichelberger
Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Budget
I attended Illinois Wesleyan University and graduated in 2004 with a BA, majoring in Biology and Environmental Studies. I decided to go straight to graduate school at Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs where I pursued joint Master of Public Affairs (MPA) and Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) degrees. During summer breaks while in graduate school, I interned at the National Invasive Species Council and the Office of Management and Budget because I knew I wanted to work for the federal government.
When I was selected as a 2007 PMF Finalist, I knew I wanted to find a position in the environmental field, hopefully where I could utilize my science and policy background. The PMF job fair was a bit of a blur for me. After I returned home I got a call from the Immediate Office of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). After phone and in-person interviews, I was offered a position with OCFO. My job with the Immediate Office entailed coordinating and tracking the Agency's work on the President's Management Agenda.
I did rotations with OCFO's Office of Budget (OB) as a Media Analyst and with the NEPA group in Region 8 reviewing Environmental Impact Statements. After I got back from my Region 8 rotation, a permanent position opened up in the Multi-Media Analysis Staff in OB and I transferred there. Currently I am one of the Media Analysts working on Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) programs.
Melissa Fiffer
OAR, Stratospheric Protection Division
"During my time as an undergraduate at Duke University, where I majored in Environmental Sciences and Policy with a minor in Biology, I got a taste for EPA. I interned in the Region 2 office as well as the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance (OECA). I knew that I wanted to apply my background in environmental science to the development of sound public policy. After completing my Master of Environmental Management degree, with a focus in Environmental Health, also at Duke, I applied for the PMF program.
As a PMF, I was lucky to have many varied experiences. I started out at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where I worked on indoor environment issues including lead-based paint, mold/moisture, and asthma/allergy triggers. I completed rotations at a HUD regional office, the Office of Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and at EPA in the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), where I served as a special assistant to the Assistant Administrator. When my time as a PMF came to a close, I was brought on as an Environmental Protection Specialist in OAR's Stratospheric Protection Division (SPD). In SPD I have worked on both regulatory and voluntary programs. I currently manage the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program. In SPD I am learning how to develop regulations, and dipping fairly often back into my toxicology notes as I help determine which substances pose less risk to human health and the environment than the ozone-depleting substances they are replacing.
In my free time I enjoy taking in the local theater scene, writing poetry, and trying new restaurants. I attribute the constant search for good food to the fact that I grew up in Queens, NY."
Dana L. Friedman
Office of Pesticide Programs, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division
After graduating from Cornell University with a BS in Natural Resources in 2002, I took a position as a Chemist at Estée Lauder's Research and Development facility in New York. Working for the private sector was definitely a positive experience and I learned a great deal during my few years with the company, but since college, I had been thinking about going back to school and pursuing a career in the public sector. I moved to Arlington, Virginia in 2005, and began working towards a Master's Degree in Public Policy (MPP) at The George Washington University.
When I was selected as a Presidential Management Fellow finalist in 2007, I wanted to find a position where I could utilize my undergraduate education and experience in ecology and natural resource management as well as my subsequent experiences and graduate education. I spoke with a branch chief at the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs about a position as a Chemical Review Manager (CRM) and knew immediately that it was the perfect fit for my skills and interests. As a CRM, I work with teams of scientists who assess potential exposure to and risk from pesticides, and then I work to develop risk management strategies based on these assessments.
Melissa Greer Dreyfus
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
I joined the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI), Community Involvement and Program Initiatives Branch (CIPIB) as a PMF in September, 2008. In this capacity, I am involved in a wide range of projects including EPA's Green Remediation effort. I also work to encourage the development of renewable energy on formally contaminated lands and mine sites through EPA's RE-Powering America's Land initiative.
From January 2009 to June 2009 I completed a detail to the EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education (OCHPEE). In this office I wrote and managed the production of fact sheets aimed at educating health providers on various environmental health risks encountered by pregnant women and/or women who may become pregnant. I originally joined EPA as a National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) fellow in 2006 while I was completing my Master in Public Health degree at George Washington University.
Prior to working at EPA, I graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Biology and Education in 2003. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband at DC's many parks and museums, running, and playing in EPA's volleyball league.
Ben Gibson
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (Research Triangle Park)
I work in EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, where am focusing on the policy side of a variety of air quality and climate change issues. I received a Master of Public Policy degree in May 2008 from Duke University, where I also earned a professional certificate in international development, and was a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellow specializing in Russian. Prior to enrolling at Duke, I served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine, where I worked on economic and community development issues. Before joining the Peace Corps, I worked in the private sector as a consultant on human resource and organizational development issues. I was born and raised in Michigan, and completed my undergraduate studies with a B.A. in economics at the University of Michigan.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing basketball and tennis, cooking with whatever happens to be in the kitchen, and reading about international economic and political affairs.
Dave Goodman
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Inspector General, Office of Program Evaluation
As a PMF with a passion for environmental conservation and preservation, I was excited when offered a position with the EPA Office of Inspector General. I started working for the OIG Office of Program Evaluation in August 2008. In that position, I work in the land product line, where I conduct performance evaluations, audits, review complaints, and develop areas for future research and development relating to EPA programs involving Superfund, RCRA, Brownfields, and UST issues, among others.
I received my J.D. from William and Mary and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 2008. At William and Mary I focused in environmental law and worked as Technical Editor for the William and Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review. I received my undergrad degree from James Madison University in 2004, where I majored in Economics and minored in Writing and Rhetoric. My interests include hiking and backpacking, travel, sports, and politics.
Summer Goodwin
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation, Smart Growth
After finishing my BA in Political Science and German Literature at the University of Oregon, I cut my teeth on the policy-making process in Germany as a fellow in the German Bundestag (Parliament). I spent a year studying the federal policy process of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union. My focus was social policy but it was this experience living in Germany as a fellow and during previous study abroad programs that I began to think critically about the different approach to natural resources management and the environment that Europeans take compared to Americans. Upon my return to the US I began to pursue communications work, which led me to working for a nonprofit in Portland, Oregon for 4 years. While working I began my master in Public Administration at the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University where I completed my MPA with an emphasis in Communication and Policy and Natural Resources Management. During my final year of graduate school I completed a one-year internship working in a Region 10 Office of EPA in Portland working on collaborative process for reducing toxics in the Columbia River Basin. I especially enjoyed the inter-agency, inter-state, and inter-tribal aspect of this environmental problem-solving process.
My wonderful experience in the state operations office of EPA in led me to apply for the PMF program and eventually to seek employment with EPA and other natural resource agencies. I now work as a program analyst in the Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation, Performance Track Division. I serve in a communications role and handle branding, media relations, and outreach for the Performance Track program.
During the fall of 2008, I went on rotation to the Office of Water's Immediate Office, where I worked on the update to the Agency's strategic plan, and other planning and accountability processes. During the spring and summer of 2009 I went on rotation back to the Region 10's State Operations Office in Portland, Oregon. There I worked as part of the Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction team on strategic planning, communication and outreach. I returned to Washington in 2009 to work on EPA's program to build sustainable communities (EPA Smart Growth).
Angela Grout
Formerly with EPA in the Region 10 Office of Water and Watersheds (Seattle)
I came to the Environmental Protection Agency after working as a King County water quality planner in Seattle, WA for nearly five years. While working for King County, I completed the midcareer graduate program in public administration at the University of Washington's Evans School. When selected as a Presidential Management Fellow finalist in 2008, I wanted to find a position that would utilize my technical knowledge and experience as well as my graduate education in public management and policy. I chose to join EPA's Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation (OPEI) as a Program Analyst within the Program Analysis Division (PAD). As a member of PAD, my main responsibility was to support the ongoing goal-focused, data-driven meetings between program offices and the deputy administrator, and promote best practices and innovation throughout the Agency.
In August 2009, I returned to Seattle on a detail to the Region 10 headquarters office and worked as the strategic planning coordinator for the Office of Water and Watersheds and the performance management specialist for the cross-office Puget Sound Team. Following my detail, I was offered a position on the Puget Sound Team and transferred to the region.
In addition to an MPA degree, I have earned a BS degree in Biochemistry from California State University Long Beach, an MS degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and was a PhD. candidate in Oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, Siberian husky, and three cats.
Shani Harmon
Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation
I am a 2007 PMF working in the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). As part of of OAR I work on many of the program's performance management initiatives. Prior to becoming a PMF, I completed a Master's in Environmental Management and a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies at Yale University. As an undergraduate I studied paleoclimatology and sustainable conservation and development. As a graduate student, I studied state and federal environmental justice policies. I was also an intern in EPA Region 8's environmental justice office.
Dana Hyland
Climate Change Division
"I am a 2007 PMF currently working in the Climate Change Division under the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). I joined EPA as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Administrator of OAR. During my second year in the PMF program I completed three rotations; first, I spent seven months at the State Department working on international air toxics issues, mainly mercury; second, I traveled to Brussels for a six week rotation at the US-EU Mission to work on the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme and other climate change issues; and third, I worked on green jobs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality for eight months.
My background includes a Bachelors degree in political science, including a concentration in environmental studies, and an MPA from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where I studied environmental policy and natural resource management. My environmental interests led me to apply with the EPA and I have found it to be an excellent experience. "
Lesley Jantarasami
Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Atmospheric Programs
I joined the Climate Change Division of EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs in July 2009. I work with a fantastic team of people supporting the development of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy through analysis and synthesis of the state-of-the-science on climate impacts on public health and the environment. I also work on projects to assess the environmental justice implications of climate impacts such as sea level rise, and to support climate adaptation planning in Native American communities.
Prior to joining EPA, I earned Master of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from University of Washington, with a focus in natural resource management and conservation. I also completed a graduate certificate program in environmental management. My undergraduate degree is from Duke University in Environmental Science and Policy. I was first introduced to life at EPA while in grad school, where I worked with EPA's Region 10 office in Seattle as a National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) fellow researching low impact development and smart growth efforts in the Puget Sound region. Outside of work, you can probably find me at the nearest tennis court, ski resort, or national park/forest.
Matt Klasen
"I'm a 2007 PMF working in EPA's Office of Water (OW). In OW, I work in the Immediate Office of the Assistant Administrator, helping to coordinate within and outside OW on mining policy, Congressional requests, and other topics.
I began my PMF career in July 2007 in EPA's Office of Environmental Information where I worked to develop and communicate environmental indicators, which help EPA and the public to understand the condition of the environment and human health. In that position, I served as staff lead of the U.S.-Mexico Border Indicators Task Force; led the development and implementation of EPA's Environmental Indicators Gateway website (www.epa.gov/indicators); and worked with a cross-Agency team to improve EPA energy and climate change measurement. I served in EPA's Region 9 office in San Francisco on a 4.5-month rotation, helping to implement the Region's Clean Energy and Climate Change strategy. Following my return to DC, I spent nine months on a rotation/detail at the White House Council on Environmental Quality where I worked to coordinate Federal policy on issues such as mountaintop coal mining and the California water Bay-Deltaissues.
Originally from the Detroit area, I obtained a bachelor's in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis, where I worked at the university's environmental law clinic and wrote my senior thesis on national parks management. After graduation, I moved to New York City to attend Columbia's MPA Program in Environmental Science and Policy, graduating in May 2007. While in New York, I managed an environmental consulting project with community groups in the South Bronx and interned at Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC sustainability office. When I'm not at my desk, I'm probably busy training for various running events, biking to work, or following politics (a common DC trait). "
Lindsey Kurnath
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Homeland Security
I joined EPA's Office of Homeland Security (OHS) as a PMF in July 2008. Our office, housed in the Administrator's Office, coordinates homeland security activities and policy development across all EPA program areas and with other federal agencies. In my second year as a PMF, I completed a six month detail to CEQ working for the Federal Environmental Executive on implementing a new executive order on sustainability in the Federal government.
Before moving to D.C., I completed a dual master's degree program in environmental management and public policy at Duke University. I also have a B.S. in Biology from Boston College and plenty of experience with snow having grown up in Rochester NY. I first showed up at EPA in the summer of 2006 as an intern in the Office of Pesticide Programs in the Environmental Fate and Effects Division. After another summer internship at the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland, I realized there was plenty of work left to do in the US, applied to the PMF program, and luckily end up at EPA.
When not at work, I can generally be found on some sort of outdoor adventure, watching college basketball or the Yankees, doing a crossword puzzle, or exploring DC.
Mollie Lemon
OAR, Stratospheric Protection Division
"I graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington in Dec. of 2007 with a dual degree in Public Affairs and Environmental Science. As a PMF, I began my fellowship working at the Dept. of Interior on restoration ecology issues. I also completed a rotation in the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) as a special assistant to the Assistant Administrator (AA). In this capacity I served as a liaison between OAR and other EPA offices, on issues ranging from climate change to radioactive waste disposal. The job afforded me the chance to learn a great deal about the various issues within OAR. In addition, I did a short rotation with the U.S. Agency for International Development at the embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, shortly after the Jan. 2010 earthquake.
After my fellowship ended, I found a position working in OAR's Stratospheric Protection Division on ozone protection and sun safety education issues. Then, in September of 2011, I began a new position as the Communications Director for EPA's Green Power Partnership program, a voluntary program that works with organizations to increase the use of renewable energy.
In DC, I enjoy getting outside as often as I can and checking out the surrounding area, like the Shenandoah Mountains. I love to be active and to travel, and have enjoyed taking advantage of all the free events in DC. "
Drew McConville
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Air and Radiation, Immediate Office
I currently work as a special assistant to Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy, who oversees air pollution and climate change issues for EPA. In addition to prepping the AA for meetings and coordinating her requests with senior OAR managers, I am working on cross-office projects related to energy efficiency, outreach to state on climate and energy policy, and potential collaboration with other federal agencies.
Before coming to EPA, I received a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment, where I focused on environmental economics and policy. At Duke, I also worked with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, researching legislative options related to early action on climate change, harmonization of state and federal climate regulation, and congressional oversight for carbon markets.
This is my second stint in DC. I previously worked for three years with the Wilderness Society, doing communications work for the campaign to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other legislative and administrative campaigns. I graduated from Dartmouth College in 2003, and I owe a large part of my love for the outdoors and ultimate frisbee to my time in New Hampshire.
Overall, my PMF experience with EPA has been fantastic. I work with incredibly smart people who care a lot about their work. I'd recommend it to just about anyone.
Eamon Monahan
ENERGY STAR Program
"I have a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University and a master's in public policy from American University. Upon graduating from AU in 2008 I got a PMF position as special assistant to the Assistant Administrator in OAR. I served in that role for one year before taking two six month rotations, one with the ENERGY STAR program and one with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Honolulu, HI.
I was glad to lateral into my current position at ENERGY STAR when my Fellowship was up in 2010. As co-lead for program integrity for the ENERGY STAR products program, I developed and implemented the third-party certification procedures for ENERGY STAR products that became effective in January 2011. I currently oversee the product certification process and serve as the primary contact for EPA-recognized accreditation bodies, laboratories and certification bodies.
I have a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University and a master's in public policy from American University. Upon graduating from AU in 2008 I got a PMF position as special assistant to the Assistant Administrator in OAR. I served in that role for one year before taking two six month rotations, one with the ENERGY STAR program and one with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Honolulu, HI.
I was glad to lateral into my current position at ENERGY STAR when my Fellowship was up in 2010. As co-lead for program integrity for the ENERGY STAR products program, I developed and implemented the third-party certification procedures for ENERGY STAR products that became effective in January 2011. I currently oversee the product certification process and serve as the primary contact for EPA-recognized accreditation bodies, laboratories and certification bodies. "
Julie Narimatsu
Office of Inspector General, Office of Program Evaluation
I joined the Office of Program Evaluation's Air & Research Product Line in late August of 2009. In my capacity as a Program Analyst, I help conduct evaluations of EPA's air and research programs. This involves a lot of research, document review, interviewing agency and external stakeholders, and report writing and analysis. I have been able to lead interviews and take a lead role in developing reports and presenting it to management.
I received my B.S. in Environmental Policy & Behavior from the University of Michigan in 2002 and my J.D. and M.A. (International Relations) from Syracuse University in 2009. I was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2009. I live in Alexandria and love to take advantage of all the outdoor opportunities in the area with my dog.
Matt Robinson
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water,
I completed my bachelor's in biology and a business certificate at Indiana University in 1999. After graduation, I worked at my dream job as a wilderness instructor for Voyageur Outward Bound School in upper Minnesota. I also worked in retail management in the off-season. Dreams change, and as mine evolved, I moved to a non-profit based at both Depaw University and Indiana University where I got the chance to work on social justice issues, fund raising, mentoring, and international economic development. The issues I encountered during those three years drove me back to school. In 2008, I received a Masters of Public Affairs in Economic Development and Environmental Policy, and a Masters of Environmental Science in Water Resources Management, both also from Indiana University. The focus of my studies centered on the human-environment nexus; specifically, as it relates to human microeconomic potential and change(s) in quality of life in developing nations as improvements to water resources (issues of quality, quantity, and distribution) are affected.
I started as a PMF with EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water in October of 2008. So far, EPA has given me the opportunity to work on emerging drinking water contaminants, and the question of whether and how to regulate these pollutants. I am also involved in the development of benefit-cost modeling for drinking water contaminant regulation levels.
I typically bike to work, rain or shine. I enjoy long (12 hours or more) endurance events—mountain biking, orienteering, and adventure racing. I also like to write poetry and short stories.
|Naomi Rowden
|Office of Inspector General, Office of Program Evaluation (Seattle, WA)
"I joined the Office of Program Evaluation's Land Cleanup and Waste Management product line in September 2011. As a Program Analyst, I participate as part of a team conducting evaluations of EPA programs in the land cleanup and waste management areas. I perform research, document review, data analysis, interview EPA staff, and write and prepare reports. I have been able to lead interviews and take a lead role in developing reports and presenting it to management.
Prior to joining EPA, I earned my J.D. at the University of Oregon School of Law with a focus in environmental and Indian law, as well as a Master's degree in Conflict and Dispute Resolution. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Washington in Philosophy. Though my position at EPA started in Washington, DC I am excited to be relocating to the Region 10 office where I will be thoroughly enjoying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest! "
Megan Samenfeld-Specht
Office of International Affairs
I am a 2009 PMF in EPA's Office of International Affairs (OIA). Our office works with EPA's program and regional offices, government agencies, and other nations and international organizations, to identify international environmental issues and help implement technical and policy options to address them. My PMF position is focused on environment, trade and finance - I work on the Trade and Economics team within the Office Of Global Affairs and Policy in OIA. Prior to becoming a PMF I completed a masters program at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. I have a background in international environmental policy and negotiations, as well as experience working with non-profit organizations in the US. I am new to DC, but am enjoying exploring the city!
Laura Sauls
After completing a MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford in 2009, I began work with the Office of Global Affairs and Policy in the Office of International & Tribal Affairs. In this office, I have worked on the UN climate change negotiations, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+ 20), and topics including climate change adaptation and urban sustainability. For my PMF rotation, I spent time at the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in preparation for Rio+20 and fostering partnerships with in-country stakeholders. ?I currently coordinate several of EPA's Arctic efforts, and work on the Arctic Council, short lived climate pollutants, and shipping in the Polar regions. In addition to working at EPA, I play in several volleyball leagues and enjoy the excellent array of brunches that DC has to offer!
Daniel Teitelbaum
OCSPP, Toxic Release Inventory Program
"I joined EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program in 2009 after graduating from Columbia University's MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program. TRI is a community right-to-know program that collects and publishes information on how industrial facilities use, manage, and dispose of toxic chemicals?and in what quantities. The goal of TRI is to empower citizens, through information, to hold companies and local governments accountable in terms of how toxic chemicals are managed.
Currently, I am the Pollution Prevention (P2) Staff Lead for the TRI Program, which means I promote the collection, dissemination, and use of information about environmental performance and effective P2 practices. This work involves extensive data analysis, stakeholder engagement, web application development, and cross-Agency coordination. In the past, I have also worked on regulatory development for the TRI program and completed a PMF development assignment in EPA Region 2, where I worked on greenhouse gas quantification and other another analyses related to climate change."
|Sarah Uhl
|Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
"I am focused on improving the system for protecting people and the environment from toxic chemicals. As a PMF at U.S. EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., I help to craft new and update existing regulations for chemicals of concern. Before EPA, I was a Switzer Fellow and master's student at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. There, I studied environmental epidemiology with a focus on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and particulate matter air pollution. My research explored the degree to which factors such individuals' age, race, and socioeconomic status are associated with their susceptibility to the metabolic and reproductive health effects of perfluorinated compounds and phthalates.
Before Yale, I spent four years working for the non-profit organization Clean Water Action. During that time, I spearheaded the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut, an alliance of citizens, health professionals, workers, environmental justice leaders, educators, scientists, and faith communities working to replace toxic chemicals in everyday products and industry with safer alternatives. Under my leadership, the Coalition grew from 12 to 52 active member organizations and successfully campaigned for five pieces of nationally significant state legislation. The legislation included modernized lead and asbestos standards for children's products (2008), a first-in-the-nation phase-out of bisphenol-A from reusable food and beverage containers and infant formula and baby food cans and jars (2009), green cleaning requirements for public schools (2009), cadmium restrictions for children's jewelry (2010), and the establishment of the Chemical Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut Health Center (2010). Prior to taking on that role, I worked for Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund as a community organizer and as coordinator of the Connecticut Alliance Against Diesel Pollution. In 2007, the Alliance successfully advocated for $10 million in funding to retrofit all 3,400 polluting school buses in the state. Before Clean Water Action, I worked for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center. I am a 2006 graduate of Dartmouth College. There, I studied terrestrial ecosystem ecology and organized a successful campaign to hire the College's first Sustainability Coordinator. In my free time, I enjoy long-distance running, cooking, and exploring new places near and far. "
Christine Zachek
Formerly with EPA in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, National Program Chemicals Division
As a PMF in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, I work towards the Agency's priority of assuring the safety of chemicals in products, the environment, and our bodies. Our office develops regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to protect human health and the environment from potentially harmful substances. My work also involves creating and reviewing public outreach materials, websites, and guidance documents designed to increase awareness of and reduce exposure to environmental hazards.
Before joining EPA in August 2009, I completed my Master of Public Health degree at Boston University with a concentration in Environmental Health. I received my undergraduate degree in Political Economy from Georgetown University. In graduate school, I interned for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program where I gathered and analyzed data on the relationship between cleaning products and occupational asthma, and created an educational brochure for workers in health care settings. I am originally from North Carolina and enjoy Hoyas basketball, NPR, yoga, and exploring D.C.'s culinary scene and trying to replicate dishes in the tiny kitchen of my studio apartment.


text:
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Barons
Coach: Jennifer Rushin, 1st year
Last season's record: 2-21
Returning starters: Four
Last state tournament appearance: None
As a former assistant coach at Quince Orchard, first-year Barons coach Jennifer Rushin is well aware of her new team's struggles.
But that was part of the appeal.
"My goal is to create a program that's going to be one to talk about, this year and in years to come," Rushin said. "Everything we're doing this year is different. There is a very exciting atmosphere when you walk into the gym, a lot of noise, a lot of talking and communicating with each other."
Strong defense is the foundation of Rushin's system, she added. And the Barons team speed plays into that.
B-CC is scrappy and will show teams a variety of defensive formations.
Four returning starters will help ease the transition period to a new coach and system.
— Jennifer Beekman
Montgomery Blair Blazers
Coach: Erin Conley, 6th year (66-49)
Last season's record: 20-5
Returning starters: None
Last state tournament appearance: 1997
Over the course of four years, Blair's class of 2012 took the program from moribund to 20-game winners and the regional semifinals. Now that class, seven players (including All-Gazette regular Johanna Lopez) strong, is gone. But the program has come too far to lower its sights by much. "We'll spend a lot of time on defensive principles, offensive strategies, and skill building, working to develop impact players able to contribute to another winning season," Conley said. The team is unfamiliar, but not young — boasting four seniors and four juniors — and junior point guard Erica Adarkwa returns for her third varsity season with a much more significant role to play.
— John Y. Wehmueller
James H. Blake Bengals
Coach: Patricia Gilmore, 7th year (125-45)
Last season's record: 4-19
Returning starters: Three
Last state tournament appearance: 2009
Junior point guard Asha Henley, 5-foot-11 senior forward Danielle Snowden and senior shooting guard Kenise Carroll return as starters from a team that lost in the first round of the playoffs to Springbrook, 48-44. It was a rare down year for Blake, which went 17-6, 22-4, 18-9, 19-6 and 14-9 the previous five years, including a state final appearance in 2007, a state semifinal appearance in 2008 and another state final appearance in 2009. Sophomore guard Citiana Negatu transferred from Montrose Christian, and 6-foot-3 freshman center Sofilia Ngwafang should provide a boost. Senior guard Lindsey Comer and junior forward Brigit Ngaleau also return to the varsity team after coming off the bench last season.
— Dan Feldman
Bullis Bulldogs
Coach: Rod Hairston, 1st year
Last year's record: 20-7
Returning starter: 1
Last ISL AA title: 2006
New coach Rod Hairston, who did not return multiple requests from The Gazette seeking comment for this preview, brings a successful resume to the Bulldogs, who won 20 games and placed second to Georgetown Visitation in the Independent School League AA Division regular season standings.
Hairston coached at Eleanor Roosevelt from 1999-2009 where he won five consecutive 4A state crowns from 2005-2009. He also captured the regular season title in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference in his one year with Bishop McNamara.
This past season, Hairston served as an assistant under Henry A. Wise coach Walter Clark. The Pumas reached the 4A state final last winter before falling to back-to-back champion Gaithersburg.
Lynee Belton, a 6-foot-3 junior center, is considered a four-star recruit by ESPNHS. She averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two assists a game last year.— James Peters
Winston Churchill Bulldogs
Coach: Katelyn McMahon, 4th year
Last season's record: 19-5
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 2003
There are many positives to having a 6-foot-1 Division I recruit manning the post. One drawback, however, can be becoming too reliant on one person for point production.
Rather than dwell on the loss of three-year starter Sarafina Arthur-Williams, now in her freshman season at the University of Carolina, Greensboro, Churchill coach Katelyn McMahon said the Bulldogs' balance could be it's biggest strength this winter.
Good overall team speed will propel defending Montgomery 4A South Division co-champion Churchill's up=-tempo game and high pressure defense.
Bulldogs also have several scoring threats, including guards Shira Racoosin and Japria Karim-Duvall. Churchill won't be too small, either, with 6-4 senior Alaine Thronson under the basket.
"We always look to top what we did the year before. We know it's going to be a competitive division, but that's good because we like competitive games," McMahon said.
— Jennifer Beekman
Clarksburg Coyotes
Coach: Sissy Natoli, 7th year (61-78)
Last season's record: 8-15
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: None
For six years now, every time Coyotes start to find their level, the level changes. They went from a brand new Class 2A school, to a stacked 3A division, and finally to the 4A West division and region a year ago. Now settling in for a second season and the foreseeable future, Clarksburg is looking to gain some traction, beginning with a second winning season in seven tries. "We look to be more competitive and finish over .500," Natoli said. "I can't wait to get started." The Coyotes boast eight returnees, an up-tempo style, and even length in juniors Laurie Kostecka (5-foot-11) and Andie DeCelis (6-foot). They remain young, however; Tiara Hall is the only senior expected to start night in, night out.
— John Y. Wehmueller
Damascus Swarmin' Hornets
Coach: Steve Pisarski, 15th year
Last season's record: 20-4
Returning starters: Five.
Last state tournament appearance: None
The Swarmin' Hornets have a score to settle, well, make that two scores. Consecutive losses to Frederick in the Class 3A West Region finals have Pisarski's bunch chomping at the bit. Junior G/F Kelli Prange returns after averaging 17 points and eight rebounds per game. The 6-foot-4 forward has attracted the attention of a plethora of Division I schools. "Our lineup is shaky as far as a definite starting lineup," said Pisarski. "We're working on our rotation now, but we'll have plenty of players who will get their fair share of minutes. I feel like it's a good problem to have." Sam Day should make a difference for Damascus as well, after missing last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
— John Harris III
Albert Einstein Titans
Coach: Julian Barron, 1st year
Last season's record: 5-18
Returning starters: One
Last state tournament appearance: 1989
Senior power forward Eyvonnka Rizkallah, the team's leading rebounder last season, is the only returning starter. After primarily focusing on defense and rebounding last year, she'll be asked to score a bit more. But the ball will primarily go through junior point guard Abbey Buckingham, who started on Barron's junior varsity team last season. Buckingham has a quality mid-range jump shot, but the next step is penetrating more. That would open the offense for role players like senior small forward Daiana Cadlett and senior shooting guard Sindy Chavez, the only other two varsity returners. Barron, who served as JV coach only one year, plans use a motion offense and a zone defense with plenty of pressing and trapping to compensate for the team's lack of size.
— Dan Feldman
Gaithersburg Trojans
Coach: Adrian McDaniel, 6th year (109-19)
Last season's record: 27-0
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 2012
For the record, Gaithersburg has won 52 straight games. The Trojans' most recent loss came in the state championship game — in March 2010. Two more first-team All-Gazette honorees (Colleen Marshall and Jackie Jackson) have now graduated, leaving the two-time defending 4A champions' cupboard ... stocked for another run to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County?
"We're expecting the same kind of deal," McDaniel said. "We'll be younger as far as basketball IQ, but we'll still be OK." The Trojans took seven sophomores to UMBC last year, and in Deja Rollins they have a senior with two state championships under her belt. On paper, a small step backward seems likely, but then again, paper said that last year, too.
— John Y. WehmuellerOur Lady of Good Counsel
Coach: Tom Splaine, 12th year
Last year's record: 30-5
Returning starters: Five
Last WCAC title: 2012
The Falcons, with the return of nine players, including Division I college signees Amanda Fioravanti (Virginia) and Lindsey Spann (Penn State), look poised to challenge for back-to-back Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles.
Spann (15 ppg, 6.1 apg) returns to her point guard spot; Fioravanti (17.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg) returns to the low post. They are rejoined by talented guards Sara Woods, and Stacey Koutris, who earned All-WCAC third team and honorable mention recognition, respectively, a year ago. Good Counsel also welcomes back Nicole Enabosi, a talented post player who missed most of last season with injury.
The Falcons will need all of those players to endure a tough December schedule that includes the Beast of the East Tournament and the National Title IX Holiday Invitational.
— James PetersHolton-Arms School Panthers
Coach: Julia Treadwell, 3rd year
Last year's record: 7-12
Returning starters: Four
Last ISL title: None
After looking at the talent returning — including four starters — plus the addition of some capable newcomers, third-year coach Julia Treadwell decided to make a change in her team's style of play for the 2012-13 season.
"I think the big change is that we will play more up tempo and defensively maybe getting teams in pressure situations," said Treadwell, who returns forwards Izzy Jenkins (5-foot-10) and Maddie Merkle (5-11), point guard Cameron Kelso (5-6) and guard Sydney Chapman (5-5). "We want to run the ball a little bit more. I think our inside players have some quickness and can run the floor and I think we're a little guard laden so we'll use that to our advantage."
Olivia Lee and Gaites Layton are two top newcomers.
— James PetersConnelly School of the Holy Child Tigers
Coach: Jamie Ready, 4th year (41-31)
Last season's record: 16-8
Returning starters: Four
Last ISL tournament appearance: 2012 With four starters returning to her squad, coach Jamie Ready thinks the Tigers will be in the mix for a league title. "We're a very small team, but we're very quick and athletic," she said. "We're going to be a run, run, run team. But i feel strongly that we have a chance to compete for a top spot in the league. National Cathedral and Episcopal, they'll be the top teams. But it'll be a very competitive league. I hope with my experience coming back that'll be an advantage for us."
Eileen Williams, Daniela Falcone, Talley Britt and Colby Evans all return as starters.
— Colin Stevens
Academy of the Holy Cross Tartans
Coach: Eddie Simpson, 3rd year (50-14)
Last year's record: 24-7
Returning starters: Three
Last WCAC title: 2007
Tartans coach Eddie Simpson believes that if "we can stay healthy and keep [6-foot-5 junior center] Rhamat [Alhassan] out of foul trouble, the sky's the limit for us" because "this is the best chemistry we've had since I've been here." That's saying something considering Holy Cross has eclipsed the 20-win plateau the past two seasons.
Alhassan averaged around 10 points per game a year ago and she should be a major force inside the free throw lane on both ends of the court. Taylor McCarley (12 ppg last year) and Jillian Dunston, a pair of 5-11 guards, can create their own shot off the dribble and score from the perimeter.
Guards Janee Brown and Alex Lustig will also be key contributors for the Tartans.
— James PetersWalter Johnson Wildcats
Coach: Lindsey Zegowitz, 2nd year (18-4)
Last year's record: 18-4
Returning starters: Three
Last state tournament appearance: 1986
Last year's Montgomery 4A South Division co-champion run was the Wildcats' first winning campaign in six years. And they don't plan on taking any steps backwards.
There may be a division banner hanging in the Walter Johnson gymnasium but the Wildcats still feel like they need to prove last year's success was no fluke, returning center Kristen Larrick said.
The 6-foot-2 senior is fresh off leading Walter Johnson's girls volleyball team to its first state tournament appearance since 1992 and second-year girls basketball coach Lindsey Zegowitz said she hopes that experience will transfer to the court.
With three dynamic returning starters — Larrick, point guard Leemor Banai and shooting guard Melanie Ackerman — the Wildcats have picked up where they left off last winter, Zegowitz added.
They boast a fairly multifaceted offense and shouldn't have trouble putting points on the board.
— Jennifer Beekman
John F. Kennedy Cavaliers
Coach: Kevin Thompson, 6th year (58-57)
Last season's record: 12-12
Returning starters: Unknown
Last state tournament appearance: None
After a losing season in 2008-09, Thompson has guided Kennedy to at least .500 records the last three years. However, Kennedy lost Desha Nourn, who was named All-Gazette honorable mention last season. She's now playing at Montgomery College, where she's averaging 19.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Kennedy beat Clarksburg, 62-37, in the first round of last year's playoffs then lost to Walter Johnson, 43-33, in the 4A West quarterfinals. Kennedy also won one playoff game in 2011, but none in 2010 or 2009 — all three seasons in 3A. So, in its first 4A season, Kennedy won as many playoff games as its final three 3A years combined.
Col. Zadok Magruder Colonels
Coach: Erin Borsody, 5th year (16-77)
Last season's record: 3-20
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 1985
For all of Erin Borsody's coaching tenure at Col. Zadok Magruder, she has been trying to develop a consistently winning team, but victories have been few and far between with just 16 wins in four years.
This winter's team is young once again with no seniors, but it has a key core of returning players. Juniors Adjowa Pinkrah, a scoring threat in the lane, and Janel Brown, a perimeter player, are expected to be the "backbone" of the team, according to Borsody.
The Colonels, however, may have the most depth this year during Borsody's tenure as Hannah Barr, Lidia Castillo and Emily Fonatora are expected to play significant minutes.
"Overall, I think we will be a team to contend with," Borsody said.
— Kent ZakourRichard Montgomery Rockets
Coach: Mark Yantsos, 1st year
Last season's record: 9-13
Returning starters: None
Last state tournament appearance: 1996
To put it bluntly, the Rockets are very raw when it comes to court experience. All of their starters have graduated, and only a handful of players with any varsity playing experience remain for their first-year coach.
"We basically have 10 girls on our entire team, and we are just hopeful that we can put something together," said Mark Yantsos. "It's definitely going to be an uphill battle."
Richard Montgomery will depend on senior leadership from forwards Caroline Leahy and Victoria Cobb. Sophomore point guard Tyra Sinclair gives the Rockets speed in the backcourt, and will be joined by classmate Allie Parrish. Junior forwards Brittany Brown, Courtney Smith and Caitlin Greene add to Richard Montgomery's depth.
— John Harris III
Northwest Jaguars
Coach: Todd Ostrom, 2nd year (20-5)
Last season's record: 20-5
Returning starters: Four
Last state tournament appearance: None
The Jaguars lost leading scorer Carla Batchelor to graduate, but return virtually every other player from last year's 4A West Region finalist team.
"We will definitely miss not having Carla," coach Todd Ostrom said. "But we will be just fine. … We will have to find someone different to step up each game and it will be a much more collective team effort."
Northwest will still push the ball up the court with its quick guards and press on defense, but the team's chemistry will be key, Ostrom said.
Senior forward Hillaevi Mensah, senior forward Jasmine Mutunga, junior guard Kendra Meredith, senior guard Taylor Simpson and junior guard Dominique Anderson are all expected to start. Senior forward Tiffany Lake should also be a key contributor.
— Kent Zakour
Northwood Gladiators
Coach: Frank Peterson, 1st year
Last season's record: 4-18
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: None
Another year brings another reboot for a program that has seen its share of first-year coaches. Peterson arrives on the heels of a season as the interim head coach of the Montgomery College men's team and five years experiencing coaching girls at the AAU level. "I've only had them 2 weeks, and it's a building process," Peterson said. "We're starting from scratch, but it will be cool to see them develop over the course of the season. We expect to be a dangerous team come playoff time." Diamond Rankine, only a sophomore, will be the floor general for a very young team. Even one of the few seniors is a newcomer; High Point transfer Myia Adams will be a go-to player at power forward.
— John Y. WehmuellerPaint Branch Panthers
Coach: Rochelle Coleman, 2nd year (19-6)
Last season's record: 19-6
Returning starters: Three
Last state tournament appearance: 2009
Junior point guard Kiara Colston, junior shooting guard Jasmine White and senior small forward Erin French return as Paint Branch starters, but the team also has a fourth player who started last season. Sophomore Daisa Harris started at point guard for Einstein last season before transferring. She'll begin off the ball, but she and Colston will share point-guard duties. Last year, Paint Branch lacked height aside from 6-foot-4 Amaka Ezeani, who led the team in rebounding. This year, Paint Branch just lacks height, so rebounding will have to be a group effort. Coleman appears to have the program headed on the right path. Paint Branch went 7-17 the year before her arrival, but won two playoff games last season before falling to eventual-region-champion Poly.
— Dan FeldmanPoolesville Falcons
Coach: Fred Swick
Last season's record: 19-6
Returning starters: Three
Last state tournament appearance: None
With Lindsay Poss now playing at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the Falcons are charged with adjusting their attack. This season, coach Fred Swick believes his team is more than capable of doing just that. "I feel like we've got a very balanced team this year," Swick said. "I feel like any one of our five starters can score double-figures in any game. I've seen a lot of good things through our scrimmages and practices. We are a very good passing team, and the starting five really plays well together. If we can keep doing that and play solid defense, I think we can have another pretty nice season."
Juniors Whitney Carmack and Rosie Barry should round out the Falcons starting rotation.
— John Harris III
Quince Orchard Cougars
Coach: Kenneth Buffum, 1st year
Last season's record: 5-18
Returning starters: Three
Last state tournament appearance: None
The Cougars will look to improve this winter with a number of key players returning. Point guard Morgan Turner and forwards Maddie Arata and Babette Sanmartin, a physical presence that gets to the basket, all return as starters.
Brittany Beckwith is also expected start at forward along with Seneca Valley transfer Audrey Rankin, who is the team's best shooter.
Buffum hopes his team will be able to run the floor to get easy points in transition, but will slow the pace and run half-court sets when needed.
"I have lofty expectations for this group of girls," he said. "I really think we can play with any team in the county with the talent we have and will be disappointed if we don't win a few games in the state playoffs."
— Kent ZakourRockville Rams
Coach: Kurtis Cross, 1st year
Last season's record: 6-16
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 1987
Kurtis Cross is Rockville's fifth coach in four years. The former Winston Churchill junior varsity coach knows going in that he will have an uphill climb to help bring stability to the program, but will go into the 2012-2013 full of optimism. "I look forward to introducing a new era of basketball to the Rockville High School community. We have a great group of seniors along with a deep class of juniors, highlighted by transfer student Alexis Nettles (St. John's)," said Cross. "We will also look for contributions from our incoming freshmen Paige Hailstock and Hazel Carmona." Alexiana Bernard and Alexis Frager return for their senior seasons, and will be joined by juniors Elizabeth Barrett and Jazmine Williams, as well as sophomore Sophia Romano.
— John Harris III
Saint Andrew's Episcopal Lions
Coach: Andre Foreman, 1st year
Last season's record: 3-17
Returning starters: Three
Last ISL title: None
The Lions struggled mightily last year en route to 3-17 record and just one victory in the Independent School League's A Division. So, first-year coach Andrew Foreman was hired up from the junior varsity ranks in hopes of turning the program around.
Three starters return in guard Kristin Butler, guard/forward Hannah King and forward Christina Martini. Newcomer Jarena Harmon, who transferred from National Cathedral School, is expected to start at point guard.
Foreman expects to have balanced scoring and utilize all five players on the floor out of his motion offense sets. The Lions are an undersized team so they will rely on their quickness for success.
"My expectations for this season is to get better every game and starting a winning tradition for Lions' basketball," Foreman said.
— Kent Zakour
Seneca Valley Screaming Eagles
Coach: Katie Caldwell, 1st year
Last season's record: 16-8
Returning starters: Four
Last state tournament appearance: 2011
Less than two years removed from a state championship, the Screaming Eagles find themselves with a new coach combined with a few familiar faces from last year's squad. Katie Caldwell thinks her team will be able to compete physically with a lot of the competition, but is looking to tighten up the finer points. "I think we'll be pretty exciting this year, we have some great athletes on the team and they have lots of potential," Caldwell said. "I think our strengths will be our speed and defensive ability, but I think we need to continue to improve our shooting." Junior guards Erin Gary and Juanita Craig will be counted upon to help provide stability, as well as sophomore guard Sabrina Brower.
— John Harris III
Sherwood Warriors
Coach: Kenneth Prather, 1st year
Last season's record: 11-13
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 1996
Longtime area high school and youth basketball coach Kenneth Prather takes over after coaching the junior varsity team to a 16-2 record last year.
The Warriors, who will feature many young players moving up from the junior varsity ranks and receiving several minutes of playing time, return just two players in forward Maddie McCarthy and starting point guard Madi Dune. Of the roster of 14, there are just three seniors with six juniors, four sophomores and one freshman.
Prather said he plans to implement a fast-paced style of play with "a lot of pressure on defense and fast tempo offense."
"We are looking to be competitive this year and get ready for the playoffs," Prather said. "We are truly building for the future."
— Kent Zakour
Springbrook Blue Devils
Coach: Tonya Banks, 7th year (103-42)
Last season's record: 18-8
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 2006
Wing Jasmin Dancy, who signed early with Virginia Union University, led the team in rebounding last season. She and guard Lauren Moore return as starters from an unseeded squad that upset No. 2 seed Catonsville and No. 3 seed Perry Hall to reach the 4A North final. No Springbrook team has advanced further since 2006. Sophomore guard Paige Torry, senior wing Nolita Jervier and senior guard Fredlyne Pierre-Paul move into the starting lineup after playing extensively last year off the bench. Two All-Gazette honorable mentions, guard Capree Garner and forward Jessica Brooks, depart, and Banks said a group effort will have to pick up the scoring load, though Moore has the potential to take a large share of the responsibility.
— Dan Feldman
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Gators
Head coach: Mike Thiede, 2nd year (10-15)
Last year's record: 10-15
Returning starters: One
After being a major player in the Independent School League, the Gators took a step back a year ago, finishing tied for fifth with a 5-9 record. They will look to rebound this season under second-year coach Mike Thiede with a youthful squad that returns one starter in 5-foot-10 junior forward Laura Keehan.
"We graduated five seniors, four of which started," Thiede said. "This year's team is young, athletic, and more balanced. We will look to press and change the tempo to utilize our strengths. With so many newcomers, it will take time to gel, but a top four finish in the league is not out of the question."
Kaitlin Ballenger, a 6-foot guard, returns following a strong freshman season.
— James Peters
Watkins Mill Wolverines
Coach: Ivan Hicks, 6th year (56-57)
Last season's record: 13-10
Returning starters: Three
Last state tournament appearance: 1992
Over the past three seasons, the Wolverines have been one of Montgomery County's most quietly consistent programs. "Quiet" is not the goal for 2013. Most of last year's youthful regional semifinalists are back and looking to "make some noise this year," Hicks said. Forward Dominique Walker, a sophomore, put up 31 points and 12 rebounds in the season-ending loss to Damascus. "We have [in Walker] one of the best players in Montgomery County, in my opinion," Hicks said. "It will be very hard to stop her this year." Classmate Danielle Durjan is another exciting second-year player, while Jewell Johnson, the only remaining holdover from the 2010-11 team, is expected to be Ms. Reliable. Bringing its trademark speed and aggression, Watkins Mill will be a tough out this year.
— John Y. WehmuellerWheaton Knights
Coach: Michelle Snape, 2nd year (0-21)
Last season's record: 0-21
Returning starters: Two
Last state tournament appearance: 1999
Second-year coach Michelle Snape will look to a trio of young players to lead the Knights to an improved campaign after finishing winless in the 2011-12 season.
Juniors Rakeb Teklu and Brittany Briffiths both return with starting experience from last season. Teklu, the point guard and a team captain, will provide a steady presence in the backcourt, while Briffiths can contribute from either of the forward spots. Freshman Chyna Smith has also impressed at early practices, and will be a key contributor to Wheaton's success this season.
"Just from the last couple seasons since I started with them on JV, they are a lot stronger and a lot faster," Snape said. "They have gained a lot of experience with each other, so this year will be a good year for us."
— Kyle Russell
Walt Whitman Vikings
Coach: Pete Kenah, 11th year (147-93)
Last season's record: 14-10
Returning starters: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2007
The Vikings might not return any starters, but they're certainly not short on talent.
Though two-time defending state champion Gaithersburg is still the favorite to come out of the Class 4A West Region, most teams graduated big-name players, leaving the region more unpredictable than recent history.
Returning seniors Linn Bumpers and three-year varsity shooting guard Brittany Fleck are joined by a new crop of players up from a junior varsity team that has not lost a game in two years.
Kenah said the team consists of 11 interchangeable parts.
And the Vikings can go big, with 6-foot-3 Rebecca Ford and 6-foot-1 Avery Whit, or take a more guard-oriented approach.
"I like the versatility of our lineup," Kenah said. "We're really excited."
— Jennifer Beekman
Thomas S. Wootton Patriots
Coach: Maggie Dyer, 9th year (125-80)
Last season's record: 8-16
Returning starters: Five
Last state tournament appearance: None
Last year's squad consisted of more new players than returners.
The result? Coach Maggie Dyer had a lot of teaching to do.
Much of that team is back this winter, though, which means there's less teaching and more fine-tuning.
"It makes everything run smoother in practice," Dyer said. "After going through last year, I think we're definitely going to be stronger, the girls are a lot more familiar with our play and with each other."
Last year was Wootton's first losing campaign in six years, but the Patriots seem to be back in the mix this season with all five starters back.
The Patriots will push the ball more this year, Dyer said. That team speed will also be helpful on the defensive side.
— Jennifer Beekman


text:
Maria de Villota has a dream.
March 17th, 2012
Standing at the back of the Marussia F1 team's garage, dressed in racing overalls and hooked into their communications system, she is trying to...
No flies on JEV
March 17th, 2012
Is Daniel Ricciardo the natural successor to fellow-Aussie Mark Webber in the most prized seat in Formula 1 – at Red Bull Racing? One man with the...
Mark Webber Champagne cork trickshot
March 17th, 2012
Mark Webber hits iPhone out of crew members hand with Champagne cork at Qantas photoshoot. 100% real footage
How your team fared - Friday
March 16th, 2012
Ferrari Result: FP1 – Alonso P4, Massa P18 FP2 – Alonso P4, Massa P7 Report: Alonso gave us a wet-weather master-class at various times during the...
F1 Practice 2: Schumacher's late show
March 16th, 2012
Michael Schumacher has topped the timesheets for only the second time in a Formula One session in his comeback for Mercedes after a frantic finish to...
LeBrocq leaves it late in Formula Ford opener
March 16th, 2012
CAMS Rising Star Jack LeBrocq pounced on the final lap to win the first race of this year's Australian Formula Ford Championship, as rain returned to...
V8s remembering Richards
March 16th, 2012
Garth Tander could become the most successful V8 Supercar driver at Albert Park during the 2012 Formula 1 QANTAS Australian Grand Prix, but any...
Winterbottom maintains perfect record
March 16th, 2012
Mark Winterbottom nipped past fellow Ford driver Shane van Gisbergen on the final lap to win the second race on the MSS Security V8 Supercar program...
F1 Practice 1: Button leads McLaren 1-2
March 16th, 2012
Jenson Button led a McLaren 1-2 in opening practice for the Qantas Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on Friday afternoon. The 2009...
Winterbottom wins V8 opener
March 16th, 2012
Mark Winterbottom has won the first of four races in the MSS Security V8 Supercar Challenge at the 2012 Formula 1 QANTAS Australian Grand Prix. The...
- ‹ previous
- 53 of 81
- next ›