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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2010-07-08 Local History Research Award Town of Leesburg News Release For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Fields Research & Communications Manager bfields@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734 T.J. Williams, Freedom High School Student, Receives Award from Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission Annual award, given each year at the Loudoun County Public Schools Social Science Fair, recognizes excellence in local history research Leesburg, VA (July 8, 2010) – On June 9, 2010, at Loudoun County Public Schools’ 14th annual Social Science Fair, Leesburg’s Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission selected Thomas “T.J.” Williams, Jr., a rising sophomore at Freedom High School, as the recipient of the Commission’s local history research award. In addition to a certificate of recognition, T.J. will receive a $100 cash award and will be recognized at the Loudoun History Awards in November 2010. A sixth-generation farmer, T.J.’s research project explored the detrimental effects of growth and development on Loudoun County’s dairy industry, a topic of which he has firsthand knowledge. At one time, there were over 300 dairy farms in Loudoun County; today, only one remains in operation. T.J.’s family owned one of the dairy farms no longer in existence. The Williams family started their dairy on Watson Road in Loudoun County in 1920. T.J.’s great-grandfather sold the property in 1986, but his grandfather continued to run the dairy until 2000. The son of Thomas and Suzanne Williams, T.J. is active in the 4-H Dairy and Livestock clubs in Orange County, where his aunt and uncle own the J-Team Dairy farm. Jim Roberts, a member of the Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission, and Alexandra Gressitt, director of the Thomas Balch Library, served as the judging team for the award. TOL PR 2010-07-08 Local History Research Award Page 2 According to Mr. Roberts, during the judging process, they “kept coming back” to T.J.’s project, impressed with the quality of his research and the level of detail he included. T.J.’s research paper, entitled “How Has Development Hurt the Dairy Industry in Loudoun County?”, will be archived at the Thomas Balch Library for the benefit of future researchers. The Loudoun County Public Schools Social Science Fair is held in June each year and recognizes student work in 17 social science categories. All 9th grade students are required to complete a research project in a social science discipline, consisting of a research paper and a visual presentation of the research results. 10th, 11th and 12th grade students may participate if they are enrolled in a social science class and complete the research as part of the class requirements. After competing at the individual schools’ fairs, projects are selected to compete at the county-wide Social Science Fair. Award selection is based on the student’s research paper, visual presentation and an interview. The Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission established the local history research award at the Social Science Fair in 2008 as part of the Town’s 250th anniversary celebration. The award complements the Loudoun History Awards, hosted by the Commission in November each year. Recipients may be selected from any of the Social Science Fair categories. # # #