Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) continues to see a record-breaking number of hikers who pass through its Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, which is considered the psychological midpoint of the 2,190-mile long Appalachian Trail (A.T.).

Prince William County Schools are "getting some powerful help in molding local leaders of tomorrow. The winners of the HCHY Local Hero Awards were selected for inspiring and enduring contributions through school and community activities," according to a news release.

Recently, a group of City of Manassas staff met to devise ways to give back this holiday season. They came up with the 12 Days of Giving Campaign. The project helped city staff to be directly involved with non-profit groups working to serve those in our community by giving the gift of time and talent.

American Festival Pops Orchestra will perform a festive program of the season’s most popular songs, including cherished Christmas carols and holiday favorites. “Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season” will be at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. and at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.

Manassas Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Music Director James Villani will present the group's annual family concert, "Child’s Play," at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m. Children, students and college students can get a free ticket at the box office.

Paintings by seven artists will be on display at the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College until Dec. 18. Several of the artists are art instructors in northern Virginia colleges and art institutions.

The 2016 Martin Luther King Community Choir is searching for students of all ages to perform during the Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Jan. 18, 2016 at Hylton Chapel in Woodbridge, VA. No auditions are required except for lead singers.

Join Gainesville Ballet at Dominion Valley Country Club for a special event, "Tea With Clara" on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. Guests will enjoy a delicious high tea lunch and desserts, meet and greet magical characters from The Nutcracker, and see an up-close-and-personal performance of excerpts from the ballet by Gainesville Ballet's professional dancers.

Poster submissions based on the theme "# STOP ON RED!" are due by April 30, 2016 for the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation 2016 Poster Contest.

Students in grades K–12 can create a poster over the holidays illustrating the safe use of the Internet and/or mobile devices to submit to the 2016 Commonwealth of Virginia’s Cyber Security Awareness “Kids Safe Online” Virginia Poster Contest. Submissions are due Jan. 8.