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When a message from George N. Onyango, principal of Sen. Barack Obama Secondary School in Kenya arrived in her e-mail, 15-year-old Rachel Wims already knew what it would say: Thanks.

But it said a whole lot more than that. When Rachel, of Gaithersburg, opened the attachments, she was showered with drawings and poems full of gratitude and thanks.

"We love you, Rachel, for the good heart you have. We love you, Rachel, for the hard work you have shown. We love you, Rachel, for the sacrifice just for us. You are really our role model. You deserve to be crowned a queen," one student wrote on a card with a hand-drawn flower in the center.

Just over a year ago, Rachel, a rising sophomore at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, traveled to Kenya on a week-long humanitarian mission as a youth ambassador for The Victims' Rights Foundation, a Gaithersburg-based volunteer organization, founded by her father, W. Gregory Wims, that supports victims of violent crimes.

In Kogelo, the rural town where President Barack Obama's father grew up, Rachel saw that improvements were needed. She started raising money through Facebook to update the science building at the Senator Barack Obama Secondary School.

She raised $5,000.

The money was used to finish a one-room classroom building with bright aqua trim. Where students once studied without doors and windows, subject to Mother Nature, they now have plastered walls, protection from rain, warmth and a locked space to keep their belongings.

"You have been kind to us and today I want to inform you that our students are happy and appreciate all that you have done to make their future shine by contributing heavily to ensure that they have facilities," the principal wrote.

Rachel also raised money to buy a year's supply of sanitary napkins for the school's girls, who told her that many female students drop out of the school each year because they cannot afford the personal items.

Last Thursday, Rachel was offered a donation of 100 books by Friends of the Library Montgomery County to send to the school.

As a show of thanks, the school rededicated its classroom building in her name, a gesture she and her mother, Michelle, found humbling and unnecessary.

"For me, it was just enough to know that the building was finished and they (the students) were getting what they needed," Rachel said.

Campus congratulations

Sumit Agarwal, son of Neera and Pradeep Agarwal of Gaithersburg, earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in biology from Washington University in St. Louis. Agarwal graduated with college honors.

The following Gaithersburg residents were named to the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Spring 2010 dean's list: Ulysses Gaston, studying management; Timothy Noble, a computer science major; and Ryan Nelson, an animal science major.

Jeff A. Boeckl of Gaithersburg took part in an internship this summer through SUNY Oswego's Experience-Based Education Program. Boeckl, a senior meteorology major, interned at WUSA 9 News, Washington, D.C.

Gunnar Grodsky, a Gaithersburg resident, graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. The son of Richard and Michelle Grodsky, he is a graduate of Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School in Rockville.

Adam J. Mohr of North Potomac graduated with honors from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, in Blacksburg, Va. He received a bachelor's degree in finance. Mohr will begin his career in July with Deloitte. His parents are Jerry and Sandi Mohr of North Potomac.

Watkins Mill High among top 10 for parent volunteers

Watkins Mill High School has received one of 10 Montgomery County Public Schools 2009-10 Outstanding Volunteer Program awards, according to an announcement on the school's website.

The school reported 17,868 volunteer hours during the school year.

Watkins Mill will be presented with the award at the 3rd annual MCPS Back-to-School Fair on Aug. 28. The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville.

The awards will be presented at 12:30 p.m.

Serve the county

Montgomery County seeks applicants for several boards and commissions. Residents interested in serving on the Housing Opportunities Commission or Board of Registration for Building Contractors should apply by Aug. 13. Positions on the Committee for Ethnic Affairs, Noise Control Advisory Board and Recreation Advisory Board are open for applications until Aug. 20.

A cover letter and resume should be to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850, or by e-mail to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov. Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses should be included.

Read books, earn rewards

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair invites children ages 2-12 to participate in its 2010 Montgomery County Agricultural Center summer reading program.

To take part, a child must read five books, either independently or read to them by a parent, by the fair and complete a reading card.

Cards can be picked up before the fair starts at the fair office, 16 Chestnut St. in Gaithersburg.

A parent or guardian must sign completed cards, which the child should bring to the Kid-Zone at Community Square during the 62nd Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Aug. 16- 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Each child who turns in a completed card will receive a coupon for a free soda from the Big Cheese, free ice-cream cone from the Dairy Bar and free ride.

The Kid Zone is at the upper end of Maple Avenue. Only one card is allowed per child and the child must redeem the card in person.

Dinner and a movie ... outside

The Comcast Outdoor Film Festival celebrates its 14th anniversary Aug. 13-20 with eight nights of movies that include box office hits, classics and family favorites.

This year the festival is moving to the grounds of the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. The films will begin each night at dusk.

The 2010 movie lineup:

-Friday — The Blind Side, PG-13

-Saturday — New Moon, PG-13

-Sunday — Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, PG-13

-Monday — Jerry Maguire, R

-Tuesday — Valentine's Day, PG-13

-Aug.18 — Up in the Air, R

-Aug.19 — Julie & Julia, PG-13

-Aug. 20 — Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, PG

Movies are shown on an inflatable four-story screen, one of the two largest in the United States, with state-of-the-art projection and Dolby Digital surround sound. Grounds will open at 6:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from food sales will go toward NIH Children's Charities.

Over the past 10 years the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival has raised more than $250,000 for NIH Children's Charities.

The Universities at Shady Grove are at 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Free parking is available. More information is at www.filmfestnih.org or 301-816-6958.

Party affiliation change deadline approaches

The deadline for registered voters in Montgomery County to change their party affiliation before the 2010 gubernatorial elections is 9 p.m., Aug. 24.

To change affiliation, voters should send a written request to the Board of Elections, P. O. Box 4333, Rockville, MD 20849-4333, or fax it to 240-777-8600. Requests must include the voter's full name, address, date of birth, old and new party affiliation, date and signature.

The elections office, 18753 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 210, Gaithersburg, will be open until 9 p.m. Aug. 24.

For information, call 240-777-8500.

Gaithersburg resident

joins Teach for America

Michael Tcheyan of Gaithersburg has joined Teach For America, the national corps of top college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools in low-income communities. Tcheyan is a 2006 graduate of Maret High School in Washington and a 2010 graduate of Williams College. He will teach in the Rio Grande Valley starting this fall.

Tcheyan is among 4,500 new teachers selected from a record 46,000 applicants.

This column is for you! Send news about Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, Laytonsville and Washington Grove to reporter Danielle Gaines at dgaines@gazette.net. Items for People and Places must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday for consideration for the following week. Don't forget to send us photos!

Gaithersburg announces Citizens Police Academy

The Gaithersburg Police Department is accepting applications for its 2010 Citizens Police Academy which starts Sept. 9.

Weekly sessions will be held at the Robertson Park Youth Center, 801 Rabbitt Road, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday through Nov. 18. Class size is limited to 16 residents who are at least 16 years old. The application deadline is Aug. 30.

During the academy, residents learn about law enforcement techniques and practices, traffic collision investigation, patrol operations, drug enforcement, crime prevention, community policing and other topics.

Applications are online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/police. To receive an application by mail, or for more information, call Officer Dan Lane at 301-258-6168.

Hoarding help

The Gaithersburg Hoarding Task Force and the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington are hosting a workshop on Sept. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.

The workshop is open to all community members at a cost of $20 per person.

Led by Elspeth Bell, the session is designed to educate friends and family members about hoarding, identify ways to support someone with hoarding problems, address barriers in relationships as related to hoarding, and develop strategies for working toward reducing clutter, according to a city press release.

To reserve a seat, call the City of Gaithersburg Community Services Division at 301-258-6395, ext. 2.

For information about the task force, call Stephen Rainone in the Neighborhood Services Division at 301-258-6340.

Gaithersburg police

accredited, honored

The Gaithersburg Police Department was accredited for the sixth time by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies on July 31.

During its annual meeting the commission also recognized the Gaithersburg Police Department as a Flagship Agency for "having continually demonstrated excellence in commitment to the CALEA accreditation process and a willingness to share with others its accreditation success."

For information contact the Gaithersburg Police Department at police@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301-258-6400.

Walk to help the homeless

The Friends of Wells/Robertson House, a nonprofit organization that promotes homeless support programs, will raise money at two local festivals this fall by encouraging residents to participate in mini-walks.

The organization will give T-shirts to participants at the Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne festival on Sept. 19 from noon to 5p.m. and at the Oktoberfest at the Kentlands on Oct. 10 from noon to 4 p.m.

The registration fee is $15 for youth under 18 and $25 for adults. An online form is on the city's website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/communityservices.

Each walk should take about 15 minutes.

The Wells/Robertson House is a transitional program for homeless men and women in recovery, providing structure, guidance and a family atmosphere as residents work towards a more stable life.

The local mini-walks are just a few of hundreds being hosted across the Washington area as a part of the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless program. The events will culminate with the Help the Homeless Walkathon on Nov. 20 on the National Mall.

For information, email Marianne Sickman at sickmans@starpower.net.

Pageant perfection

Juliana McKee, of Laytonsville, has been crowned Miss Teen International 2010. She beat out almost 40 contestants competing in four categories: interview, fitness wear, fun fashion and evening gown.

McKee's platform will include work with the American Heart Association's Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which promotes heart health and healthy eating and exercise choices to children and teens. Having overcome an eating disorder herself and losing one of her cousins to heart disease at the young age of 12, McKee is passionate about her cause and will travel to schools across the nation as a spokesperson for the association.

McKee will be a sophomore at the University of Maryland this fall, where she is studying communications.

This column is for you! Send news of Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, Laytonsville and Washington Grove to Danielle Gaines at dgaines@gazette.net or mail to The Gaithersburg-Montgomery Village Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Items for People and Places must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday for consideration for the following week. Don't forget to send us photos!