Good Knight founder receives Jefferson Award

He established the Good Knight Network, a nonprofit organization, to protect children and advocate family safety.

Jagen also wrote and published a book titled ‘‘SuperBook of Family Safety.”

Jagen plans to distribute the book nationwide and expects over 50 million students to assist him.

He also helped to construct and build the Good Knight Magic Castle and Family Museum in Beltsville. The museum spans three acres and is based on Jagen’s children’s book ‘‘A Good Knight Story,” and features book characters The Blue Knight and Sir Edward.

Jagen received his award at a ceremony at East Hall in Union Station in the District.

UMD public safety officer completes training

Officer Mark Wittkopp of the University of Maryland, College Park Public Safety Department graduated on June 13 from the DUI Institute, part of the University of Maryland’s Institute of Advanced Law Enforcement Studies.

The weeklong 50-hour course is taught by various professors, drug experts, DUI experts and highway safety specialists throughout the state.

Throughout the course, Wittkopp studied the physiological effects of alcohol, aspects of addiction, intervention and apprehension of DUI offenders, historical perspectives on both alcohol and police management and trial tips for DUI cases.

The DUI Institute is run jointly by the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Wittkopp was one of 27 graduates of the course.

Beltsville teacher headedto Japan to promote culture

Beltsville Elementary ESOL teacher Shannon Stewart has been selected as a participant in the Japan Fullbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program.

The program, sponsored by the Japanese government, sends elementary and secondary school teachers from all over the United States on a three-week trip to Japan. The purpose of the trip is to promote cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.

Stewart is scheduled to leave for Japan in October.

Stewart is one of 160 participants chosen out of a field of over 1,700 applicants.

The three-week trip will begin in Tokyo and Stewart will have a chance to meet with Japanese teachers, students and government officials.

She will travel to various other cities in Japan and visit elementary and secondary schools as well as a teacher’s college. She will also be staying briefly with a Japanese host family.

Former Beltsville Girl Scout honored with Gold Award

Beltsville’s Tanya Oultland was honored on June 7 at a ceremony for Beltsville Girl Scouts in Association 23. Outland won the Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive, on May 4.

In order to receive a Gold Award, a Girl Scout must complete five requirements: community service, personal and spiritual growth, positive values, leadership and planning, developing and executing a project that will benefit the community.

Outland’s project was a ‘‘Fitness Extravaganza” which she held at the Beltsville Community Center’s day camp last July.

Outland enlisted the help of her troop members for the extravaganza.

Tanya, who was a member of Girl Scout Troop 3988 recently finished her freshman year at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Her brother, Curtis Outland, recently completed his requirement for the Boy Scout Eagle Award. He will receive the award over the summer.

Learning center receives large donation

The Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center in Adelphi received a $40,000 donation from the ASRC Federal Holding Company on June 9.

The Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center was presented the check by ASRC’s CEO at the group’s annual charity golf tournament at the Queenstown Harbor Golf Course.

The Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center specializes in Special Education and Head Start classes, family literacy programs, parent education, nutrition and health care referrals. The center is targeted at children under five years old in the Adelphi and Cool Spring elementary school communities.

Prince George’s County Public Schools superintendent John Deasy said that the donation will be used to build a new playground. The playground would normally take four years to fund and build, but because of the grant, Deasy said it can be completed within one year.

UMD senior wins Dean and Etta Ray Griffin scholarship

University of Maryland, College Park lacrosse player Jenny Collins is the 2008 winner of the Dean and Etta Ray Griffin Scholarship.

The scholarship is named for University of Maryland alumni Dean Griffin who graduated in 1958. It is worth $50,000 and given to a varsity athlete every year.

Collins is a kinesiology major and will be a senior in the fall. Collins scored two goals in nine games this season for the Terps, and was named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association academic honor roll.