Alexandria
Up Close
JUNE 18 - 24, 2009 ALEXANDRIA TIMES B1
Sara Rich gets spooked by an elephant while working in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Alexandria’s Rich Makes a Difference,
One Adventure at a Time
By Marty DeVine
G
eneration Y — sometimes
known as the Millennium
Generation — is stereo-
typed as being all about
texting, Facebook and MySpace.
With a reputation for being high-
maintenance, they are “known for
rolling into work late while wearing
headphones and dressing as if every
day were casual Friday,” according to
Clay Collins, a popular Generation
Y blogger. However, there are some
20-somethings who are out trying to
make a difference in the world, and
2002 T.C. Williams graduate Sara
Rich is one of them.   Hilltop Golf Club — 9 holes; par 31; 7900 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, VA
Rich has chosen to venture far out-
side her comfort zone — and conti-
nent — in her desire to help others.
She is finishing up her second year as
a teacher at the American School of
Kinshasa, also known as TASOK, in
the capital city of the Democratic Re-
public of the Congo, formally known
as Zaire.
At an early age, Rich demonstrated
that she is not afraid to jump in and
roll up her sleeves to get the job done.
While she was in middle school, she
organized a  petition drive to imple-
ment improvements for Alexandria
girls softball. That led to her being
interviewed by local TV news stations
Seniors pose for the flashbulbs before arriving at the prom.
A Rite of Passage ...
T.C. Seniors Celebrate Prom Night
By Katherine Parkinson
This weekend, T.C. Williams se-
niors celebrated the end of their high
school careers with the year’s most
anticipated event: Prom Night.
The evening began with a photo-
shoot, as adoring parents took pic-
tures of their soon-to-be graduates.
Many couples and groups also went
out to dinner on the town before
heading to the dance.
As soon as the doors opened at 8
p.m., a fleet of luxury cars, limou-
sines and stretch SUVs began to ar-
rive at the Marriot Crystal Gateway
in Crystal City where the dance was
held.
Decorated in their finest evenin-
gwear, the students piled out in cou-
and receiving an Alexandria Women’s
Commission Award. She ultimately
testified  on Capitol Hill for the 25th
Anniversary of Title IX.
That would be a tough act to follow
for anyone, so while she was a stu-
dent at T.C., Rich proclaimed to her
father, retired Alexandria City Coun-
cilman Lonnie Rich, that her life had
peaked when she was in eighth grade.
But little did she know that her life
was going to become even more excit-
ing once she left T.C. and completed
her B.A. and M.A. in education at the
University of Virginia.
A rugby player at UVA, Rich saw
again what a positive attitude and de-
termined spirit can achieve. Her UVA
rugby team, led by volunteer coaches,
became one of the top five teams in
the nation. They competed against
teams from the likes of Stanford,
Penn State and the University of Illi-
nois, all elite rugby schools where the
coaches are paid. “My coaches, Nancy
Kechner and Jules Comer, are totally
amazing and were a big reminder to
me that you don’t have to get paid in
order to be committed and work hard
at something you love,” Rich said.
After graduating from UVA, Rich’s
destination was TASOK in Kinshasa.
Now, instead of organizing people to
help upgrade Alexandria softball for
girls, she is teaching English and so-
cial studies at TASOK, where she is
ples. While some wore traditional
tuxes and evening gowns, many
students got creative. Among the
boys, there were top hats and canes,
pinstriped suits and matching Nike
Air-Force Ones. For the girls, the
popular trend seemed to be shorter
dresses in bright, funky colors.
The Marriot ballroom was also
dressed for the occasion, with gar-
nished tables and chairs surround-
ing the dance floor. As students
danced the night away, the T.C.
administrators and teacher-chaper-
ones made sure everyone had a safe,
fun-filled prom.
At the end of the evening, the
student-elected Prom Court was
announced. Marcus Via and Illhan
Ali were pronounced Duke and
Fore!
Time To Tee Up For Summer Fun
By Marty DeVine
E
njoying a round of golf can be a relaxing way to spend a few hours,
with some people even squeezing in nine holes before heading off
to work. The greater Washington area is home to more than 100
public and private golf courses with many excellent, reasonably
priced places to play within a short drive from the center of Alexandria.
Three of the best public courses are in Washington, while some of the fin-
Courtesy photo
est holes, according to Washingtonian Magazine’s panel of golf pros, are
located on public courses near Alexandria. For those who are learning or
not quite ready to hit the pro tour, there are several places to take lessons
or simply tweak your swing.
Rich Heilman, owner of Old Town Ace Hardware, likes to play during
the week on his day off. “I really enjoy playing one of the nine-hole cours-
es at Potomac Ridge,” Heilman said. “It isn’t too far down 210, the three
nine-hole courses are pretty and it doesn’t cost too much to play there.”
also the Middle School Coordinator Similarly, Tom Jones said that his schedule at Fannie Mae is extremely
and a soccer coach.  The 250 K-12 TA- busy and so he used to try to squeeze in time at Hill Top’s driving range
SOK students hail from more than 40 on Telegraph Road. Now, he said, “I like playing the Hill Top nine-hole
countries and, as a result, the school course because it doesn’t take a lot of time to play nine holes and the cost
has an international atmosphere. is reasonable.”
While teaching last year, Rich en- Finding a comprehensive list of places to play in the greater Alexan-
listed the help of her mother, Sally dria area and the costs associated with playing a round is not always easy.
Reams, to help her raise $5,000 to Many courses have special discounts on certain days or designated times
take her varsity soccer team to South for seniors, military personnel, women and junior golfers. Below are some
Africa for a tournament.  Having suc- courses worth checking out, with the mileage from the Alexandria City
cessfully raised the funds, the TASOK center and the price for playing the course at the end of each entry.
girls’ soccer team flew to South Africa
Public or municipal golf courses 10 miles or less from the
and showed their appreciation by fin-
center of Alexandria
ishing in fifth place even though they
were not considered to be a particu-
Greendale Golf Course — 18 holes; par 70; 6700 Telegraph Rd., Alexan-
larly strong team.
dria, VA 22310; 703-971-6170; 4 miles. Greens fees $28-$35.
Outside of work, life is not easy for
Rich. She lives on the grounds of the
school and she and her friends only
22315; 703-719-6504; 5 miles. Greens fees $20-$32.
go out on the town in groups because
conditions are tough and Kinshasa
Pinecrest Golf Course — 9 holes; par 35; 6600 Little River Turnpike, Al-
can be dangerous.  Still, she has no
exandria, VA 22312; 703-941-1061; 9 miles. Greens fees $17-$20.
regrets about taking on the teaching
assignment. “I never dreamed I’d end
Atlantic Golf at Potomac Ridge — 9 holes; par 71; 15800 Sharpersville
up thousands of miles from my family
Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601; 1-800-791-9078; 6 miles. Greens fees $43-$57
in a country where life is never simple
(including cart and use of driving range).
and everyone is laid back about every-
thing,” Rich said. “There is no sense
Atlantic Golf at Potomac Ridge, Hollow Ridge Course — 9 holes; par
of urgency and punctuality….I was
73; 15800 Sharpersville Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601; 1-800-791-9078; 6 miles.
not surprised by the poverty or chaos,
Greens fees $43-$57 (including cart and use of driving range).
but I was surprised by the age gap be-
tween me and my teaching colleagues
Atlantic Golf at Potomac Ridge, Ridge Meadow Course — 9 holes;
and fellow expatriates who are all
See TEE TIME| B3
See RICH REWARDS | B3
Photo/Katherine Parkinson
Duchess, followed by Danny Ack-
erman and Rudy Abate, the Prince
and Princess of the night. The final
announcement came as no sur-
prise, when the star basketball duo
Edward Jenkins and Tierra Ruf-
fin-Pratt were crowned King and
Queen.
Carlie McGuire, a graduating
senior who attended the dance last
year, thinks this year’s prom will be
her most memorable.
“It was more special this year be-
cause I got to share it with friends
who I’ve gone through the ups and GOLF MECCA:
downs of high school with.” There are 10 public or municipal golf courses within
Although the night to remember 10 miles or from the center of Alexandria.
has passed, T.C. seniors still have
next week’s graduation to look for-
ward to.
ALEXANDRIA TIMES UP CLOSE JUNE 18 - 24 , 2009
TEE TIME
From | B1
par 73; 15800 Sharpersville Rd.,
Waldorf, MD 20601; 1-800-
791-9078; 6 miles. Greens fees
$43-$57 (including cart and
use of driving range).
Henson Creek Golf Course,
Henson Creek Course — 9
holes; par 33; 1641 Tucker Rd.,
Fort Washington, MD 20744;
301-567-4646, 6 miles. Greens
fees $14-$22.
Pohick Bay Regional Park Golf
Course, Pohick Bay Course —
18 holes; par 72; 10301 Gun-
ston Rd., Lorton, VA 22079;
703-339-8585; 8 miles. Greens
fees $48-$60 (including cart).
East Potomac Park Golf
Course , Blue Course, White
Course or Red Course — 18
holes; par 72 (Blue); Greens
fees $26-$43; par 34 (White)
Greens fees $12-$24 and par
31 (Red); Greens fees $9-$21;
972 Ohio Dr. SW, Washington,
D.C. 20024; 202-554-7660; 10
miles.
Laurel Hill Golf Club — 18
holes; par 71; 8701 Laurel Crest
Dr., Lorton, VA 22079; 703-
493-8849; 10 miles. Greens
fees $43-$57.
Courses more than 10 miles
from the Alexandria City
Center
The Osprey’s Golf Club — 18
holes; par 70; 401 Belmont Bay
Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191;
703-497-1384; 11 miles.
Naval Surface Warfare Cen-
ter Golf Course, Naval Sur-
face Warfare Center Course —
9 holes; par 72; D-61 Koehler
Dr., Indian Head, MD 20640;
301-744-4662; 12 miles.
White Plains Golf Course,
— 18 holes; par 70; 1015 Saint
Charles Pkwy., White Plains,
MD 20695; 301-645-1300; 13
miles.
Langston Golf Course & D.R.,
Langston Course — 18 holes;
par 72; 2600 Benning Rd. NE,
Washington, DC 20002; 202-
397-8638; 13 miles.
Jefferson District Park — 9
holes; par 35; 7900 Lee Hwy.,
Falls Church, VA 22042; 703-
573-0444; 13 miles.
Burke Lake Golf Center —
18 holes; par 54; 7315 Ox Rd.,
Fairfax Station, VA 22039; 703-
323-1641 x4; 14 miles.
Lake Ridge Park Golf & Ma-
rina, Lake Ridge Course — 9
holes; 12350 Cotton Mill Dr.,
Woodbridge, VA 22192; 703-
494-5564; 14 miles.
Marlton Golf Club — 18 holes;
par 71; 9413 Midland Turnpike,
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772;
301-856-7566; 15 miles.
Old Hickory Golf Club — 18
holes; par 72; 11921 Chanc-
eford Dr., Woodbridge, VA
22192; 703-580-9000; 15 miles.
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If the long links aren’t quite your style you can still enjoy
putting around on a miniature golf course.
Rock Creek Park Golf Course
— 18 holes; par 65; 16th St.
NW & Rittenhouse St. NW,
Washington, DC 20011; 202-
882-7332; 16 miles; $22 to $27.
Oak Marr Golf Center — 9
holes; par 27; 3200 Jerman-
town Rd., Oakton, VA 22124;
703-255-5390 x 4; 17 miles.
Lake Arbor Golf Course — 18
holes; par 71; 1401 Golf Course
Dr., Mitchellville, MD 20721;
301-336-7771; 18 miles.
University of Maryland Golf
Course — 18 holes; par 71; Uni-
versity of Maryland Bldg.166,
College Park, MD 20742; 301-
314-4653; 19 miles.
Enterprise Golf Course — 18
holes; par 72; 2802 Enterprise
Rd., Mitchellville, MD 20721;
301-249-2040; 19 miles.
Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt
Club — 41601 Raspberry Dr.,
Leesburg, VA 20178; 703-779-
2555; $85 to $105.
Swan Point Yacht & Country
Club — 11550 Swan Point
Blvd., Swan Point, MD 20645;
301-259-0047; $45 to $79.
Miniature Golf
If your ideal round of golf has
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Cameron Run Regional Park
— 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Al-
exandria, VA 22304; 703-960-
0767.
TopGolf Kingstowne — 6625
S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria,
VA 22315; 703-924-2600.
Upton Hill Regional Park —
6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington,
VA; 703-534-3437; 6 miles.
Lake Accotink Park — 7500
Accotink Park Rd., Spring-
field, VA 22150; 703-569-3464;
8 miles.
Jefferson District Park —
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Pohick Bay Regional Park —
6501 Pohick Bay Dr., Lorton,
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GOLFZILLA — 3601 Brinkley
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301-630-4653; 6 miles.
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RICH
REWARDS
From | B1
35-years old or older. That was
a difficult transition for me.”
Rich went on to add, “I was
surprised at how living abroad
can make you so intensely
aware of your own culture —
and in so many ways! There’s
just no better way than living
abroad for a few years to make
you realize that so many of
the things you always thought
were ‘normal’ are unique to
our culture. It’s helped me
grow to understand what being
an American, a Virginian and
an Alexandrian really means.”
She summed up her Congo-
lese teaching adventure by say-
ing that she agreed with Maya
Angelou, who wrote, “All peo-
ples cry, laugh, eat, worry and
die...”  Rich said that “as much
as the cultures of our economic
background or nationality may
seem to clash, when it comes
down to it, everything is the
same everywhere.  The kids I
teach have a lot of the opportu-
nities that come with class and
their front row seat to life in
Congo. I make sure they know
that, appreciate that and take
advantage of that.”  Rich also
said that she found teaching
humbling, “but your growth
professionally and as a person
will be obvious and measur-
able. It’s a huge challenge and it
takes a lot of patience and hard
work to improve.”
In her free time, Rich enjoys
traveling. Thailand, South Af-
rica, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda,
Denmark and Ireland are just
some of the fascinating places
she has explored. Hiking to Uh-
Courtesy photo
Sara Rich in her Kinshasa
classroom.
uru Peak, at the top of Mount
Kilimanjaro, has been one of
her most exciting and reward-
ing experiences. At the mo-
ment, Rich is traveling through
Jordan before returning to the
states to visit with family and
friends on her summer break.
  Rich plans to return to Al-
exandria following her trip
to Jordan and before visiting
rugby friends in San Francisco.
From there, she will be driving
up the West Coast to Alaska
and spending a few days in
Anchorage before taking a
ferry from Juneau to Belling-
ham. Rich will also fit in Inter-
national Baccalaureate train-
ing at Princeton for the Middle
Years Program and a big fam-
ily reunion in Tennessee before
heading back to Kinshasa for
her final year of teaching.
“I cannot wait to see my
family this summer,” Rich
said. “My mom just visited
me for a couple of weeks, but
I haven’t seen the rest of my
family in almost a whole year.”
Her brother, Alexander, is an
B3
engineer in Del Ray and has
been content to remain in
Alexandria.  Her mother still
resides in Alexandria as does
her father and step-mother,
Marcia. The strong female role
models in Rich’s life have been
a big influence in her decision
to teach abroad. Her mother
has always encouraged Rich in
her pursuit of teaching and her
stepmother served in the Peace
Corps in what was then Zaire.
After her final year at TA-
SOK, Rich said that she may
teach somewhere in Latin
America and attempt to master
Spanish. “I’d love to go to Chile,
Argentina or Guatemala,” said
the adventurous Rich.  “Once
you live abroad you quickly re-
alize how important it is to be
at LEAST bilingual.  However,
I’m also very open to South-
ern Asia. Nepal is definitely at
the top of my list. I can dream
myself into almost any place in
the world if I think it’s going to
be a valuable experience.”  
A few years from now,
though, Rich may be teaching
in Alexandria’s public schools.
“I thought it would be valuable
to teach small classes of kids
for my first few years in the
class room,” Rich said. “That
way, when I come back to the
states I’ll have some experience
under my belt before I dive into
the tougher and loftier goal of
giving back to my community
and giving back to the public
school system that has given
me the education I needed to
accomplish anything that I
dream up.”
No doubt that Rich’s world-
wide adventures and teach-
ing experiences will make her
classes all the more interesting
and stimulating for any of her
future students.