Issuu

FiNALLY First

Runners-up no more: Battlefield’s gymnastics team wins state championship

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

Compassionate. Caring. Nationally recognized.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

Fauquier Health has earned Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety—the only hospital in Virginia and one of just 36 in the nation to receive this distinction.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

This honor acknowledges the efforts of our caregivers to keep our patients safe. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the safest hospitals in America.

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

With trusted care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

See all we have to offer at FauquierHealth.org

Stronger starts here.

As the largest orthopedic practice in Virginia, OrthoVirginia’s team of orthopedic specialists provide surgical and nonsurgical care to patients of all ages. With over 160 physicians and 38 locations across the state, expert care is close to home.

Convenient Haymarket and Manassas oﬃces.

To view all of our Northern Virginia area orthopedic physicians and their specialties, scan the QR code or visit orthovirginia.com/physicians

To schedule an appointment, visit us online orthovirginia.com | or call 703.277.BONE (2663)

Happy (Second) New Year

From 46 BCE until 1582 CE, Europeans celebrated the new year day on April 1. However, after the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar, the church deemed those who still celebrated on that date to be April Fools.

I don’t think there is anything foolish about starting a new year with nature’s rebirth signaling a new beginning. And, let’s face it, it’s easier to feel rejuvenated now than in the dead of winter. I’m all for a reset, and I’m looking forward to warm weather and getting outside to enjoy nature.

Our cover story this month is about renewed enthusiasm. For the past four years the Battlefield High School Gymnastics team had placed second in the state championship. This year, with their eyes on the prize, the girls earned their well-deserved championship title. Read about their journey on Page 20.

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of the world’s problems, but we are told to think globally and act locally. One area family did just that by opening two sustainability shops called Fillagreens. Their business model makes it easier for consumers to consume less and make better choices. Read their story on Page 12.

Finally, it is time for us to reemerge into the world. I recommend a day trip to the NOVA Wild, which is part petting zoo and part safari. It’s fun for kids aged 1 to 100, and the non-human kids will enjoy your visit as well – if you feed them. Read about what to expect on Page 26.

Have a great April, everyone.

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR STACY@WHGLIFESTYLE.COM

Celebrating Western Prince William County

The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 15,000 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustration, or photograph is strictly forbidden. ©2026 Rappahannock Media LLC.

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PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT

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Opening Doors, Strengthening Community:

Access, Opportunity, and Belonging at Wakefield

BY ELISE SCALISE

At Wakefield School, community is not an abstract idea - it’s something students experience every day. It’s found in classroom conversations shaped by many viewpoints, on athletic fields where teammates learn to trust one another, and in moments of kindness that quietly define the Wakefield Way. This sense of belonging is strongest when students come together from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own story to campus.

That belief is what drives Wakefield’s commitment to access and opportunity.

Opening Doors, Together

For many families, the path to an independent school education is filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Wakefield understands that choosing a school is not just an academic decision, but a deeply personal one. The Financial Aid Program exists to walk alongside families, meeting them where they are and honoring the realities of their lives.

Need-based financial aid helps make a Wakefield education possible by bridging the space between what a family can afford and the cost of tuition. Each family’s story is considered with care and confidentiality, recognizing that circumstances change and that no two journeys look the same. Awards are reviewed annually, allowing the School to respond thoughtfully as families grow and evolve.

Because resources are finite, financial aid is distributed with intention across all grade levels. In the Upper School, grants

“When students learn alongside peers with different experiences and perspectives, classrooms become richer, relationships deepen, and understanding grows.”

can reach up to 60% of tuition, ensuring that access today is balanced with sustainability for future generations. At its heart, the process is rooted in partnership, fairness, and trust.

Celebrating the Students Who Shape Our Community

In addition to financial aid, Wakefield offers scholarships that recognize students who help shape the spirit of the School. These are students

whose presence is felt not just through achievement, but through engagement, leadership, and care for others.

Some arrive at Wakefield as new students, bringing curiosity, energy, and a readiness to contribute. Others are already woven into the fabric of the community - artists who elevate performances, athletes who lead by example, classmates who model respect and kindness,

and learners who persist with determination and heart.

These scholarships are not defined by a single standard of excellence. Instead, they honor the many ways students strengthen the Wakefield community: by asking thoughtful questions, showing up for teammates, creating space for others to belong, and living the values that make Wakefield feel like home.

For some families, scholarships may be paired with needbased financial aid, creating additional pathways for students whose talents, character, and commitment align deeply with the School’s mission.

A Community Built on Belonging

Wakefield’s approach to affordability and opportunity reflects a simple truth: a diverse and inclusive community benefits everyone. When students learn alongside peers with different experiences and perspectives, classrooms become richer, relationships deepen, and understanding grows.

Each year, Wakefield renews its commitment to opening doors, strengthening community, and supporting students who are eager to learn, lead, and contribute to a culture grounded in excellence, belonging, and the Wakefield Way.

LEARN MORE:

Some students realize partway through high school that they are capable of more—more challenge, more connection, more opportunity. Wakefield’s Finish Strong Scholarship is for students entering grades 10-11, ready to be known, stretched, & prepared for what comes next. JK - 12th Grade | wakefieldschool.org | @wakefieldschooltheplains

Explore the Finish Strong Scholarship

Selective merit scholarships available for Upper School entry.

to do list

April Events are in Bloom

For an up-to-date list of events around the region, visit

Get into the spring spirit. Celebrate with blooming flowers and spectacular shows, or go shopping for one-of-a-kind finds.

SPIRITED SHOWS

“NUNSENSE” is a musical comedy packed with irreverent humor, catchy tunes, tap-dancing nuns and audience participation. April 10-12 and 17-19 , evening shows and Sunday matinees. ARTfactory, Manassas.

CIRCA: HUMANS 2.0 , the internationally acclaimed acrobatic circus, comes to the area on Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. See jaw-dropping body-bending acrobatics set to dramatic music and stirring lighting. Center for the Arts, Fairfax.

FLOWER POWER

The Haymarket Town and Country Garden Club presents FLOWER SHOW: RHYTHM IN THE GARDEN , in which every design entry is connected to a song title, Tuesday, April 14, 1:30-4 p.m. More dates to be announced. Prince William Evergreen Fire Station (15), Haymarket.

Join the Crossroad Art Alliance for CHERRY BLOSSOM PAINTING , Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. Paint the beauty of the capital’s renowned cherry blossoms with acrylic paints on stretched canvas. Aroma II Tasting Room, Town of Haymarket.

MARKETS & EXPOS

HAYMARKET FARMERS MARKET returns Sunday, April 12 , for the 2026 season. Support small businesses most Sunday mornings until Nov. 15. Shop locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, curated drinks, and unique jewelry and decor by local makers. Haymarket Town Hall parking lot.

THE DC BIG FLEA ANTIQUES EXPO returns SaturdaySunday, April 18-19 . Shop one-of-a-kind jewelry, art, vintage clothing, plus antique and repurposed furniture. Expo center at Manassas Mall.

GAME NIGHT

Join BEACON for its annual SCRABBLE SCRAMBLE fundraising event, Saturday, April 25 at 5 p.m. It’s a lively, team-based game night that supports adult English learners in our community. Linton Hall School, Bristow.

Filling a Need

Eco-friendly outlet helps Northern Virginia shop sustainably

BY HEATHER STIETZEL

If you walk along Center Street in Old Town Manassas, you might pass an 180-year-old brick building with a sign that says, “Fillagreen - your local refillery.” Inside, you will find various soap pumps, lotions and attractive beauty-care items.

It is not a novelty shop, but a business founded on the principles of sustainability.

Fillagreen sells and refills home and personal eco-friendly products such as dish soap, shampoo and laundry detergent. It fills orders the old fashioned way, the way it was done when the building was built.

Rather than continuing to purchase the same products in non-biodegradable plastic bottles, residents can now buy them from an independently owned business that refills jars and bottles (theirs or yours) with their select eco-friendly items.

It is better for the environment, hence the name Fillagreen.

Fillagreen was founded by a Bristow couple, John and Beverly Hicks. They met in 2007 when Beverly was a teacher in Fairfax County, and John, who grew up in Fredericksburg, worked as a sales manager. They were married in October 2009.

In 2022, John was at the crossroads. He had left his job as an account executive for a major corporation to take care of his ailing father. After his father passed, John wanted to stay close to home for his elementary-school age twin boys. He contemplated starting his own business.

Beverly suggested a local refillery. “Refilleries are a very common way to buy things in Europe,” she said. “It’s normal to refill containers you have had forever.”

And John had found through his research that businesses based upon sustainability often make sustainable businesses. Most people prefer eco-friendly products; however, they often come with higher prices, and people are wary of unfamiliar brands.

“We built Fillagreen to eliminate those obstacles,” he said. “We are curating a collection of products that our customers can be confident meet the standards of being a

Beverly and John Hicks of Bristow opened their first Fillagreen refillery in Old Town Manassas in 2023.

great product, being value comparable and being truly sustainable.”

It felt good knowing he was helping the environment with each new customer.

“By making small swaps in their everyday lifestyle and buying habits,” John said, “we can make a huge impact on the amount of plastic being used every day, which in turn will help protect our environment.”

John and Beverly launched the business in September 2022. They began by selling and refilling products at the Manassas Farmers Market and filling online orders with the help of friends and neighbors.

John has been focused on the business full time since it began, while his wife helps with creative and administrative tasks while also working full time for the The American Registry for Internet Numbers.

They opened the Manassas store in 2023. “The Center Street location kind of came to us by luck,” John said. “We immediately saw the potential, the location benefits.”

The downtown location is ideal for window shoppers who are attracted to Fillagreen’s decorative soaps and shower steamers, which utilize little to no packaging, contain natural ingredients and are

produced locally.

“I am always finding something new to use at home or to give as a gift,” said Cher Muzyc of Bristow. “It is also just fun to browse around the store and smell the smells and see what's new.”

While the store attracts customers, subscription delivery is the cornerstone of Fillagreen’s business model. For a flat fee, customers can order online and leave their containers on their doorstep to be refilled

“I love Fillagreen’s curated home and personal care essentials,” Danziger said. “It feels good to refill my existing containers with quality products. Hand soaps, dish soaps and dishwasher pods are among my favorites. I give gift cards to friends and family to inspire simple waste-reducing lifestyle changes.”

There are only nine refilleries in Virginia, and the Hicks own two of them. They opened a second Fillagreen location in Fredericksburg in 2024.

They have also begun selling to businesses, including Honey and Ivy bake shop in Old Town Manassas and University of Mary Washington’s alumni building.

“Going after businesses makes a greater impact,” John said.

The couple’s twin boys, Logan and Tyler, who attend Marsteller Middle School, help with social media, and their parents pay them an hourly wage to help at the store when they are available.

The Hicks also support environmentally-based organizations like Keep Prince William Beautiful through organizing clean-ups and donating store products.

Fillagreen even inspired Kelly Auldridge of Manassas to open a donation-based arts

and craft supplies store, Dabble Creative Reuse Center.

“On a personal level, Fillagreen has opened my eyes to a different way of operating, reducing waste in my household and better supporting local and sustainable brands,” Auldridge said. “They also exposed me to the concept of creative reuse, which has been a beautiful thing for me and our community.”

March marked the third anniversary of the opening of Fillagreen’s Manassas store. The Hicks are happy the business is thriving, but even more so that it is making a difference environmentally.

“You can do so much good for our community by shopping small,” John said, “and by making easy choices every day.” L

Fillagreen is at 9029 Center St., Manassas, with a second location at 716 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. Customers can order products online at fillagreen.com.

Heather Stietzel of Bristow has a B.A. in journalism. She is director of membership sales for the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.

Beverly and John’s sons, Tyler (front) and Logan, enjoy helping out at Fillagreen’s Manassas location.

At The Goddard School where a child starts their journey matters. That’s why we offer an expert curriculum, experienced

School where a child starts their journey matters. That’s why we offer an expert curriculum, experienced teachers and a nurturing environment to provide the best foundation for their growth. From 6 weeks to 6 years old, there’s space for your little one here!

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When readers turn to our pages, they see people they know and others they’d like to know – local heroes, amazing kids, neat neighbors, and rising stars. They see beloved businesses, favorite mail carriers, and long-standing members of the community. They see their family and friends. They see themselves. And when you advertise in Lifestyle, over 65,000* of them see you.

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GRADES

First

Bobcat gymnasts break second-place streak to become state champions

BY STACY SHAW | PHOTOS BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

The Battlefield High School girls gymnastics team entered the Class 6 state championship in February determined to break a three-year streak of second-place finishes.

"We were tired of being the bridesmaids. This has been four years in the making for these seniors,” said Mary Henry, Battlefield’s head coach.

At Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, the competition was close as it could be between the two top competitors: Fair-

fax’s Robinson Secondary School and undefeated Battlefield. Robinson beat Battlefield in the vault and the uneven bars by only half a point. Battlefield outscored Robinson in the balance beam and dominated in the floor exercises. But then Robinson twice challenged points, and each time was awarded two more.

That left the final score in doubt. Henry told her team to refrain from celebrating until the final scores were released. But once the scores were finalized, every Bobcat cried for joy.

The outcome was decided by only three-tenths of a point. The Bobcats defeated Robinson 147.950 to 147.650 to become state champions.

Henry credited the success to sophomores Samantha Tekampe and Chloe Lydiate and junior Kayla Henley, whose high scores helped take the Bobcats over the line. She thanks volunteer assistant coach, Emily Ignacio, a former Battlefield “Gymcat.” But mainly she credits her four “super seniors,” who continued to earn top scores for the Bobcats and led the team to victory.

“Our one goal in mind was to win,” said senior Giselle Forman of Gainesville, a top competitor in vault, bars and beam.

Forman has been practicing gymnastics since she was 6, when teammate Ryan Grothoff invited her to join Bull Run Academy of Gymnastics (BRAG) in Vint Hill, the school Henry owns. She competed with the academy until 2024, her sophomore year.

Grothoff (vault, beam and floor) started tumbling at 3, and continued through her freshman year, until competing exclusively with Battlefield. She agreed with Forman about the team’s trajectory. “I think we took this year a lot more seriously.”

school teams rely on a few star club gymnasts to carry them, even as clubs often take precedence over VHSL. However, the Battlefield team consisted mainly of girls who no longer competed elsewhere and instead dedicated themselves to Battlefield’s team.

It is not uncommon for gymnasts to leave the sport as they age. Club teams require 20 hours of practice a week, which is hard on maturing bodies, making injuries more common.

“Our freshman year we were just happy to be there [competing at states],” said senior Marissa Perilla of Dominion Valley. Perilla competed in floor exercises as a gymnast, although cheerleading is her main sport.

Senior Addison Fitzer started club gymnastics in Illinois, then transferred to GMS Gymnastics in Manassas, competing there until her junior year.

Battlefield’s strength came from its depth. Its 2025-26 team consisted of 17 girls, requiring Henry to find two additional uniforms. “[We had] a lot of talent this year,” Grothoff said. Gymnastics tends to be an individual sport, and many high

“[The high school team has been] really good for me,” Grothoff said. “I could still do what I love but I can still do other things.” However, she admitted, “it’s really hard to do gymnastics once you quit gymnastics.”

The girls practiced even over the summer. Several took part-time jobs teaching gymnastics, and they doubled down during the season.

Seniors warned their teammates that the post season would be tough. “They were undefeated,” Fitzer said. “We had to keep reminding them: You do have to work hard for this. Show up and show out.”

Prince William area state gymnastics team champions

Head coach Mary Henry gives directions to her Bobcat gymnasts.

Stressed About Summer?

Forman said it was important for the seniors to be leaders. “As seniors we’ve been through this. We knew what it was like to get second, and we know what it feels like.”

The juniors hope to continue their team’s success. “Now we are almost expected to keep our title, to keep the streak going,” said Henley, a rising captain.

And all the girls trusted Henry to prepare, encourage and ground them. “She wanted it as much as we did,” Grothoff said. Henry, who is 56, said there were fewer opportunities for girls to play sports when she was growing up, but her mother introduced her to sports at the YMCA. She began gymnastics at 5, and made a competitive team at 7.

Gymnastics followed her throughout her life. She coached

gymnastics or served as a program director in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and California, but also in Chile and in Okinawa, Japan, when her husband was stationed overseas.

She moved to Haymarket in 2010 with her family and began coaching at Battlefield in 2012, before she opened the academy in 2014. “I’ve never seen a state as competitive as Virginia,” Henry said. “You have to be good to win Virginia states either individually or as a team.”

Henry continues to coach at Battlefield because she enjoys the team’s camaraderie. The girls feel the same. “Winning as a team is…so much better,” the girls said in unison.

“Doing it was amazing – especially with these three girls,” Forman said. “There were a lot of tears.”

Stacy Shaw is an award-winning journalist. She is the editor of Haymarket/Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and publisher/ owner of the local news site Bristow Beat.com. InsideNoVa Sports Editor David Fawcett contributed to this article.

Senior Ryan Grothoff practices a full twist on the floor (left) and a wolf jump on the beam at Bull Run Academy of Gymnastics.

Up-close animal adventures

NOVA Wild zoo and safari just around the corner

BY JACKI DYRHOLM

Got an animal lover in the family? If you’re looking for an unforgettable family-friendly experience where you can get up close and personal with incredible animals, NOVA Wild is the perfect destination. Tucked away in a quiet residential area in Vienna, the small non-profit zoo sits on over 30 acres and is home to over 200 animals, from friendly farm favorites to exotic wildlife. The zoo features both a traditional walk-through zoo and a drive-through safari, providing the perfect mix for a few hours of education, adventure and hands-on fun for children and adults alike!

The Wild Wings Butterfly Exhibit

For an extra $8 per person you can visit the Wild Wings butterfly exhibit. Inside you will be surrounded by hundreds of colorful butterflies. There’s definitely something magical about walking around a room with butterflies flitting around you and feeding on slices of fruit and flowers. Keep in mind that this exhibit is a seasonal experience and is open late May through the fall.

The Zoo

As you enter the zoo’s welcome center, you will have an opportunity to buy some dry food to feed the animals in the petting zoo. The buckets are large so one is usually enough. After exiting the building, turn to the right to head to the petting zoo. After a short stroll you will immediately spot some animals you can pet and feed, including goats, pigs and even a miniature zebu. All the animals are very friendly and will rush to the fence to greet you. Then continue on to the rest of the zoo where you will see other habitats featuring cheetahs, kangaroos, monkeys, red river hogs and other exotic animals. Sadly, you cannot feed or pet these animals. You can, however, book an up-close and personal encounter with a sloth, kangaroo or capybara for an additional fee. And for the ultimate experience, you can splurge on a behind-the-scenes experience as a zookeeper for the day. Like most humans, the animals also enjoy a midday nap, so if you want the best chance of seeing and interacting with all of the animals, plan your visit for morning or later in the afternoon.

The Drive-Thru Safari

After you are done in the zoo, you can purchase another bucket of food to take through the 12-acre drive-through safari park. From the second your car clears the gate you will be greeted by more hungry animals (make sure don’t give all of your food away right at the beginning). Move on at your own pace and see deer, lamas, a bison and other animals. The slow drive through the safari is fun, whether you’re 9 years old or 90. There will be a lot of laughing at the antics the animals put you through to get the food. The llamas especially can be quite wily in their efforts to gain access to the food — they don’t hesitate to lean their heads all the way into your vehicle to see what you’re offering. And watch out for the 2,000 pound bison that tries to stick its head in your car! L

Jacki Dyrholm lives in Warrenton with her family and a menagerie of animals. Follow her travels at jackigoesplaces.com and on Facebook.

Nova Wild

1228 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna novawild.org

Hours: Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission: $15 children, $20 adults (ages 12 and up) advance online purchase

Food: Food trucks visit occasionally, but bring a picnic lunch to be safe. Picnic tables available in a covered pavilion inside the zoo.

Special exhibits:

Keep an eye on the website and social media for upcoming special events.

H&G’s

TOP 10

The five highest-priced homes that sold in each of the two local ZIP codes between mid-February and mid-March. Photos and home data from Realtor.com.

20155 Gainesville

5933 TROTTERS POINT LANE

$1,135,000

Sold: Feb. 13

4 Bedrooms

4 Bathrooms

4,200 square feet

13609 MORRIS COURT

$1,100,000

Sold: Feb. 20

5 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms 4,754 square feet

14439 HAMILL RUN DRIVE

$920,000

Sold: Feb. 20 4 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms 4,510 square feet

8605 ELLIS FORD PLACE

$905,000

Sold: Feb. 17

4 Bedrooms

4 Bathrooms

4,408 square feet

13684 BRIDLEWOOD DRIVE

$850,000

Sold: Feb. 25

4 Bedrooms

3½ Bathrooms

3,524 square feet

The Big Picture:

Local home sales posted a third straight monthly gain in February, although – as in January – the growth was entirely due to the Haymarket ZIP code. Sales were up 39% in the Haymarket and Gainesville ZIP codes combined, compared with February 2025. Spring growth ahead?

Pending sales were up significantly in both ZIP codes, and new listings also were up in February, according to the latest data from the Prince William Association of Realtors. And homes continue to sell quickly – within four to five weeks on average.

The February Details:

Closed sales:

• Down 12% in Gainesville to 22 units

• Up 118.8% in Haymarket to 35 units

• Combined sales totaled 57, up from 41 a year earlier

New Pending sales:

• Up 27.3% in Gainesville

• Up 87% in Haymarket

Median sales price:

• Up 19.4% to $787,000 in Gainesville

• Down 1% to $735,000 in Haymarket

Average days on market (homes sold in February):

• 25 in Gainesville

• 32 in Haymarket

20169 Haymarket

5206 BONNIE BRAE FARM DRIVE

$1,670,000

Sold: March 12

5 Bedrooms

5½ Bathrooms 6,713 square feet

5361 BOWERS HILL DRIVE

$1,299,000

Sold: Feb. 20

4 Bedrooms

4½ Bathrooms 5,749 square feet

14501 HOLSHIRE WAY

$1,250,000

Sold: March 13 4

4½ Bathrooms 5,883 square feet

5516 BLACKBURNS FORD COURT

$1,200,000

Sold: March 2 4 Bedrooms 3½ Bathrooms 5,133 square feet

16220 WATERFALL ROAD

$975,000

Sold: March 17 4 Bedrooms 3½ Bathrooms 3,279 square feet

Contact: Jim Kelly, Sales Director

COMING SOON! Voting Starts May 10

Local business... the heart and the lifeline our of community. From retail stores to restaurants, entertainment and service providers, these are the organizations and people who make this county a great place to live. Our annual “Best of” competition strives to highlight local businesses as voted on by you, our readers.

Keep up with all the news from around your county: SUBSCRIBE! To InsideNoVa/Prince William, $49/year, delivered weekly www.insidenova.com/subscribe VISIT! InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for daily headlines and our weekly Gainesville/Haymarket-only e-newsletter FOLLOW! InsideNoVa on Facebook and Twitter @InsideNoVa

Battlefield named endangered public land

Manassas National Battlefield has been named number five on the 2026 list of “America’s most endangered public lands” in a designation published by Outside Magazine and RE:PUBLIC.

The battlefield park made the list in response to the potential threat posed by the PW Digital Gateway data center project, which, if fully built out, would be the largest data center corridor in the world. Adjacent to the battlefield near Gainesville, the project is slated to include 37 data centers – equating to over 22 million square feet across 2,100 acres.

The project's current fate rests with the Virginia Court of Appeals, where as of mid-March a ruling was pending on two legal challenges.

Warby Parker opens in Virginia Gateway

National eyewear brand Warby Parker opened its 14th Virginia location at the Virginia Gateway shopping center in Gainesville last month.

The store features the brand's full collection of optical glasses and sunglasses, as well as its spring 2026 releases and kids frames for youth ages 4-8, according to a news release.

Third-party contact lenses and accessories will also be available, with eye exams coming soon.

Reagan Middle student claims spelling bee title again

R onald W. Reagan Middle School student Siya Sampath, 12, claimed the 48th annual Prince William Regional Spelling Bee championship March 10, securing the title for the third time and advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

The competition brought together over 50 school-level winners at Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge.

While initial rounds saw spellers tackle familiar words such as “bureau,” “anchorage,” and even modern terms like “clickbait,” the words quickly progressed to challenging vocabulary like “heptad,” “phlox,” “podotheca,” and “octuplicate.”

After all other spellers were eliminated, Sampath and runner-up Noreen Lisco, 12, a seventh grader from Grace E. Metz Middle School, traded correct spellings for 13 intense rounds, moving deep into the bee’s most difficult word lists.

Sampath previously won the regional bee in 2023 and 2024. The bee is presented each year by InsideNoVa/Prince William and the Bel-Air Woman’s Club of Dale City.

More than 1,000 new homes proposed in Gainesville

Asprawling new housing redevelopment may be on the horizon for western Prince William County.

NVR, a Reston-based developer, has proposed a plan to redevelop the entire span of Catharpin Valley Estates into a 213-acre, 1,010-home community about a mile west from the Pageland Lane properties included in the controversial PW Digital Gateway data center rezoning.

The development would feature 400 single-family detached units, 322 single-family attached (or townhome) units and 288 multifamily units adjacent to Catharpin Road, Thornton Drive and Catharpin Valley Drive.

NVR’s proposal first has to undergo a comprehensive plan amendment to update the county’s long-range land use designation for the land.

Planning commission denies power substation review

Plans for an electric substation that would have sustained the Hunter Property data center campus in Bristow were derailed March 11 when the Prince William County Planning Commission denied the public facilities review for the project.

The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, or NOVEC, was the applicant behind the facility –known as the “Diamond Hill substation.”

The commission voted 5-3 to deny the proposal. The substation would have been at 13301 Casey Lane in Bristow, immediately behind the Amberleigh Station residential community.

Power lines loom over the treeline across Route 29 and the grasslands at Manassas National Battlefield Park in May 2022.

Siya Sampath wins the 48th Prince William Regional Spelling Bee on March 10 at Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge.

TAVAN SMITH

Western Prince

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