Announcements Archives | MoCo360

Best of Bethesda voting kicks off

Staff — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:55:20 +0000

Do you have a favorite hair salon, pizza place, doctor or home remodeler? You can cast your votes for them in Bethesda Magazine’s 17th annual Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll, which spans all of Montgomery County and Upper Northwest D.C.

This year we are introducing a new voting platform with an extended list of categories. The Readers’ Poll will include two rounds: nomination and elimination. From July 1-31, readers will write in their nominations for their favorites in each category. When the nomination round concludes, those with the highest number of nominations will move on to the elimination round (Sept. 1-30) in which readers will cast their votes to determine the winner in each category.

The eight category groupings range from food and drink to fitness and beauty; health and wellness to things to do. Plus, there are opportunities to share recommendations such as the best place for pet boarding and where to catch live music.

All winners will be announced in Bethesda Magazine’s January/February 2025 Best of Bethesda issue, on newsstands at the end of December.

To cast your votes, click here.

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The Write Stuff

Staff — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 21:18:43 +0000

Bethesda Magazine and the Bethesda Urban Partnership sponsor an annual competition for local writers. This year, 150 adults and high school students entered the short story contest, and 178 adults and high school students entered the essay contest. The writers who placed in the contests were awarded cash prizes ranging from $50 to $500. The work of the first-place winners appears on the pages that follow. Check out the runners-up at MoCo360.media and Bethesda.org.

Bethesda Magazine and the Bethesda Urban Partnership work together to honor local writers through the short story and essay contests. Short stories are limited to 2,500 words, and authors must be residents of Montgomery County or Upper Northwest D.C. (20015 and 20016 ZIP codes). Essays are limited to 500 words and writers in the adult contest must live in Washington, D.C., or select counties of Maryland (Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard and Frederick) or Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William); high school writers must be residents of or attend a school in Montgomery County or Washington, D.C.

Keep an eye out this winter for next year’s contest details at MoCo360.media and at Bethesda.org.

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MoCo360 wins 13 awards in press association contest

James Musial — Thu, 02 May 2024 18:58:20 +0000

This article was updated on Monday, May 6 to reflect announcements from Friday’s awards program.

MoCo360 staff received 13 awards this week in the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association’s annual contest.

Daily and weekly newspapers and online news organizations in the region compete in several divisions in the annual MDDC contest. MoCo360 is in the online-only division.

The contest was for MDDC members’ work published in 2023. In each category, first and second prizes are awarded. The press association announced the award winners on YouTube on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

MoCo360 won seven first-place awards and five second-place awards.

The winners are:

Breaking News: Former education reporter Em Espey won first prize for their story on Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School’s response to two unconscious students found in the school bathroom.
General News Story: Espey also won first prize for their story on a Bethesda carjacking.
Continuing Coverage: Politics and enterprise reporter Ginny Bixby, contributing editor Louis Peck, former county government reporter Steve Bohnel and former public safety reporter Courtney Cohn shared a second prize for reporting on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and its process for appointing General Assembly members.
Investigative Reporting: Bixby won second prize for her story on a event led by a pastor with white supremacist ties, while Espey won first for their dive into the Montgomery County Public Schools opt-out discussions of last summer.
Local Government: MoCo360 swept another category: education and growth reporter Elia Griffin took second for coverage of Rockville’s ballot troubles and Bixby took first for a feature on Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink.
State Government: Bohnel won first prize for a data-driven look at the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.
Medical/Science Reporting: Bixby claimed another first prize for her reporting into the struggles trans residents face finding healthcare in the county.
Education Reporting: Espey snagged second prize for another B-CC story, this time an insight into the school’s “bathroom culture.”
Arts/Entertainment Reporting: Former lifestyle reporter Akira Kyles won second prize for a look at a local restaurant’s perseverance and Uyghur cuisine.
Public Notice Reporting: Kyles also won first prize for her story on Chevy Chase residents highlighting the burial ground for enslaved people beneath their community. This win included a Best of Show award, presented to just one winner in the category across all divisions.
Diversity-Equity & Inclusion: Griffin won first place for her October story on the future of MCPS high schools that are named after enslavers.

More information about the MDDC awards can be found on the press association’s YouTube channel. On Friday, MoCo360 team members will attend the association’s conference for panel discussions, networking and an in-person awards ceremony.

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Bethesda Magazine seeks nominations for ‘Women Who Inspire’

Staff — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Bethesda Magazine is seeking nominations for its fourth annual slate of “Women Who Inspire.” The magazine is looking for women who are helping to shape and lead local communities, institutions, businesses and more.

For the past three years, Bethesda Magazine has featured an annual salute to “Women Who Inspire.” Local luminaries such as Universities at Shady Grove Executive Director Anne Khademian, Capital Area Food Bank President and CEO Radha Muthiah, I.M.P. Chief Operating Officer Donna Westmoreland, World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and farmer/YouTuber Tope Fajingbesi have offered a window into the impressive array of fields, skills and contributions represented by women in the area.

This year, Bethesda Magazine wants to highlight even more of the women making a mark on readers’ lives—and needs your help to identify them. We are particularly interested in those who have racked up notable achievements within the past year or have projects on the horizon. Bethesda Magazine staff will review nominations and make selections.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024.

Honorees will be notified to be interviewed, photographed and potentially videotaped. “Women Who Inspire” will be presented in the print edition of Bethesda Magazine and on moco360.media later this year. We will also celebrate the “Women Who Inspire” at our annual luncheon this fall.

Submit Now

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Bethesda Magazine, MoCo360 acquired by Today Media

Rob Martinelli — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:42:24 +0000

Editor’s note: Scott Copeland, the owner of Bethesda Magazine and the MoCo360 news site, has sold the properties to Today Media, a publisher of lifestyle magazines and websites in four East Coast markets. Below is the announcement of the purchase from Today Media.

Today Media, a leading publisher of regional lifestyle magazines, business publications and websites across multiple markets, announced Friday that it has acquired Bethesda Magazine and the news site MoCo360 from Z-Pop Media.

Rob Martinelli, CEO of Today Media, said Bethesda Magazine and MoCo360 are “a great fit” for his company, which publishes in four similar East Coast markets, including Westchester County and the Hudson Valley in New York, suburban Philadelphia and all of Delaware. “I’ve always been impressed with Bethesda Magazine and the MoCo360 news site,” he said.

Martinelli said MoCo360 was a big draw for Today Media. “I’ve seen how important the site is to the community,” he said. “We’re excited to continue the critical role of providing local news coverage in the Bethesda area.”

Scott Copeland, CEO of Z-Pop, said selling the business he acquired in 2021 from Steve and Susan Hull was bittersweet. “My endeavor was for the sole purpose of furthering community connections, and I am proud of our team’s continued and consistent commitment to that effort,” he said. “However, in the ever-changing media landscape, these valuable community assets require operational efficiencies that I believe Today Media is uniquely positioned to provide.”

Martinelli announced that Jennifer Farkas will be promoted to publisher of the magazine and MoCo360. Farkas, a Kensington resident, was most recently chief operating officer of Z-Pop and previously held a variety of roles when the magazine was owned by the Hulls.

“I am delighted to have the support and backing of such a highly respected media company,” Farkas said. “With this acquisition, I see a great path forward for us to continue our mission to serve and engage with the community through our daily news site, lifestyle magazine and events.”

Martinelli also announced the following hires:

Kathleen Neary will be the editor of Bethesda Magazine. Neary, who lives in Kensington, was the associate editor of the magazine from 2015 to 2022. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years and worked at AOL, Ladies’ Home Journal, American Photo and George magazine.
Julie Rasicot will be the editor of MoCo360. A longtime contributor and former senior editor for the magazine, Rasicot, a Silver Spring resident, was also formerly the managing editor of the news site.
Ellen Minsavage will be the art director of the magazine. A senior designer for the magazine for the last 13 months, Minsavage previously worked for Today Media as an art director for the company’s custom publishing group in Baltimore.

Founded in 2004 and published six times a year, Bethesda Magazine covers the lives and lifestyles of residents in Montgomery County and Upper Northwest Washington, D.C. MoCo360, launched in 2014 as Bethesda Beat, is an online news site covering news in Montgomery County.

Today Media is a multi-platform regional media company serving a four-state region on the East Coast. In print, online and in person, Today Media reaches engaged consumers. Today Media publishes four monthly regional lifestyle magazines, two business publications and more than 10 specialty publications. The company also creates custom marketing solutions, develops new media business opportunities and hosts events. Today Media is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.

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What were Montgomery County’s biggest news stories in 2023?

Jeffrey Lyles, Amy Orndorff, Elia Griffin and Ginny Bixby — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:08:14 +0000

Whether it was the shocking fallout of a high school principal’s sexual harassment scandal; the ongoing clash over LGBTQ+ books being added to school system curriculum; the disappointing surge in antisemitic incidents or the spikes in carjackings and homicides, MoCo360 held officials accountable while covering the issues of importance to county residents in 2023.

Here are a few highlights and lowlights of the year—and insight into how we covered them:

LGBTQ+ curriculum

Montgomery County Public Schools’ decision in March to not inform parents beforehand or let them opt out when an LGBTQ+ inclusive book would be used in a lesson prompted a lawsuit, filed in May with the aid of a conservative national legal firm, and several protests at MCPS’ Rockville headquarters. A federal judge in August denied a motion to temporarily rescind the no-opt-out policy, and the case is now before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond. The controversy allied diverse political bedfellows: Moms for Liberty found common cause with Muslim families (though local Islamic leaders made a point to distance themselves from the group) and Jewish organizations and Muslim leaders were both critical of comments and social media posts from progressive County Council member Kristin Mink (D-Dist. 5).

MoCo360 covered the introduction of the LGBTQ+ curriculum, attended the protests and the local federal hearing, and profiled Mink as she navigated her rocky first nine months as a councilmember.

Further reading:

Hate’s rising profile

Montgomery County saw a record number of hate incidents in general and within MCPS, belying the county and the district’s diversity in race, ethnicity, religion and LGBTQ+ identity. MoCo also led the state in hate. Beset by criticism over the spike in antisemitic incidents, MCPS instituted mandatory training for administrators and made efforts to incorporate more relevant Jewish history into the curriculum. A county Hate Crimes Task Force went to work even while Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion of Israel and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war fed antisemitic and anti-Arab hate and led to walkouts, teacher suspensions and claims of discrimination.

MoCo360 covered many individual incidents, but we focused on understanding data on hate and where critics say it failed to capture the whole picture.

MCPS’ handling of allegations against principal

In August, a Washington Post investigation uncovered MCPS’ mishandling of 18 sexual misconduct and bullying allegations made against Principal Joel Beidleman—who had just been promoted from Farquhar Middle School to Paint Branch High School. The district hired a law firm to investigate but at first released only a summary of findings—including that leaders involved in the promotion knew about an internal investigation of Beidleman yet failed to follow up. Under pressure, the district released a heavily redacted version of the report, showing there were at least 25 complaints against Beidleman, that anonymous claims were not probed, and that a central office staffer had tampered with an investigation. One administrator is no longer with the district, one has been reassigned and three were placed on leave, the Post reported in October. The county’s inspector general has completed the first of two investigations, confirming that Beidleman engaged in misconduct and bullying.

During the book opt-out controversy and the Beidleman scandal, MoCo360 spoke with more than 25 students, parents, educators, stakeholders and officials about McKnight’s first full year to in effect grade the superintendent.

Further reading:

Crime spikes

2023 showed Montgomery County on pace for a record year in crime. By August, a MoCo360 analysis showed, it was clear that a yearslong trend meant 2023 would be the worst on record for carjackings. Skyrocketing auto thefts drove county police in June to relaunch the auto crime unit that had been disbanded as part of budget cuts in Montgomery County’s 2021 budget. A MoCo360 analysis in September indicated the county on pace for the second-highest year on record for homicides. Officials fretted that recent criminal justice reforms had paved the way for more juvenile crime, and the county was beset with spikes in retail crime.

MoCo360 dug up, crunched and compared the numbers to give greater context and help readers understand the trends.

MCDCC’s control of legislative vacancies

An analysis in March by MoCo360 found that the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MDCDCC) had placed more than 35% of the Montgomery County General Assembly delegation in its seats through the vacancy appointment process. (That percentage has since risen to 41%.) The process has been criticized as undemocratic, and the panel has turned away rules changes that would discourage members from nominating themselves for legislative openings. Officials such as Senate President Bill Ferguson have called for reforms. Amid scrutiny, the MCDCC was threatened with a $13,000+ IRS tax lien, incurred under former leadership. While the body voted to pay off the debt in August, some committee members accused the current leadership of a lack of transparency in the process.

MoCo360’s dogged coverage of the Democratic Central Committee shed light on a powerful, little-known group of people whose decisions grant individuals legislative positions —without the burden of running for office, sometimes for up to nearly four years.

Federal seats open up

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced his retirement in May, leading to clamoring for his seat in the U.S. Senate. Rep. David Trone (D-Dist. 6) announced he would run for Cardin’s Senate seat in May, opening up the race for Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District. After months of speculation, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Dist. 8) announced in July that he would stay in his current seat and not run for Senate.

Historic municipal elections

The cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg elected new leadership in November. Monique Ashton made history as the first woman of color to be elected Rockville’s mayor. Rockville voters also opted not to give 16-year-olds or non-citizen residents the right to vote in city elections. The municipal election was also plagued with complaints about ballot and voting difficulties. The Rockville council comprises new members Kate Fulton Barry Jackson and incumbents David Myles, Izola (Zola) Shaw, Marissa Valeri and Adam Van Grack. In Gaithersburg, newcomer Yamil Hernández joined incumbents Neil Harris and Robert Wu.

Tax increases and progressive legislation

As the school budget was in the hands of the County Council, the fight over the school system’s budget turned contentious when members of the teachers union disrupted a council meeting and forced a recess. The council turned down a 10% property tax increased and settled for a 4.7% tax hike as well as a recordation tax rate increase. The council also advanced other progressive priorities, including a compromise rent stabilization bill—capping annual increases at 6%—and a hotly debated ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.

Lakeforest Mall

After 45 years, beleaguered Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg shut its doors for the last time in March, as some tenants closed and others sought to find new locations. Developer WRS Inc. and city officials had wrangled for years over the redevelopment of the site, and in March the Gaithersburg planning commission signed off on a proposal that calls for 1,600 residential units and space for employment, retail and entertainment. Under the plan, the Lakeforest Transit Center would be relocated and improved.

MoCo360 brought folks together for celebration, storytelling—and just coffee

Anne Tallent — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:07:39 +0000

Wherever you were in 2023, MoCo360 wanted to be there, too. We collaborated to bring people together—whether it was to chat with women who inspire, celebrate writers from the area or connect local residents with the journalists who cover them.

Here are a few highlights of our 2023 gatherings:

More than 170 people networked and attended the inaugural Women Who Inspire Luncheon, held in September at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown, to celebrate Bethesda Magazine’s Women Who Inspire honorees. As executive editor, I moderated a lively, newsy and fun discussion with honorees Anne Khademian, executive director of the Universities at Shady Grove; Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee; and I.M.P. Chief Operating Officer Donna Westmoreland. MoCo360 owners Scott and Jillian Copeland and MoCo360’s own “Ms. MoCo,” Rachel Pomerance Berl, spoke, and several Women Who Inspire honorees from years past were also in attendance.

MoCo360 and Bethesda Urban Partnership feted accomplished adult writers and promising youth in March at the awards ceremony for the annual Essay and Short Story Contest. Family members, judges and community members such as Carol Trawick and I lauded about two dozen writers who shared their personal histories, their thoughts and their imaginations in their winning entries—out of about 350 submissions. The celebration featured stirring readings from some of the adult and youth winners.

The annual Faces of Bethesda Magazine, a presentation of advertiser profiles, was transformed into a standalone publication this year—and landed with a bang last spring at a reception at our North Bethesda headquarters. About 50 attendees included not just advertisers but representatives of the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations.

On a blustery December morning, Senior Editor Amy Orndorff and I met with about a dozen loyal readers at MoCo360’s inaugural Coffee with the Editor at Soulfull Café at Main Street in Rockville. Immediately, we were peppered with questions about education coverage, ideas on development news, suggestions on politics and very strong opinions on a variety of topics. We had energizing discussions—and we’ll be conducting more of them in 2024. Check your email for invitations to future meetups!

Our journalists and other staff members also showed up at key community events throughout the year to support area organizations—averaging at least once a month. Among them were the Bethesda Chamber Golf Outing, the MCAEL Spelling Bee (where MoCo360’s killer team managed a second-place showing), the John Hopkins Women’s Journey at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, NAMIWalks at Rio in Gaithersburg, the second annual Planet Bethesda gathering, a Bethesda Big Train baseball game (I still have my MoCo360 squishy baseball!), Taste of Bethesda, Potomac Day, the Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame and the Central Farmers Market—at Pike & Rose and at downtown Bethesda.

Ashley Fletcher is MoCo360’s industrious director of events and special projects, and when she makes these ambitious plans, we’re often looking to start long-term relationships with readers, via newsletter signups or magazine subscriptions. But these interactions are also meaningful for us—and hopefully for you—right in the moment, when we get to talk together about ideas, experiences, opinions and questions.

Look for us in your neighborhood in 2024. We’ll be presenting more opportunities to bring everyone together.

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Meet neighbors who are changing the world

Kelly Kendall — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:07:06 +0000

One of our biggest goals at Bethesda Magazine is to inspire you with every single issue. And in 2023, we introduced you to a bevy of everyday neighbors whose struggles and successes set uplifting examples for the rest of us. As the year closes, we wanted to step back and revisit some of their stories:

Bob Brams is a former wrestler and high-powered lawyer grappling with brain cancer—and fighting for other patients battling the disease, too.

We shone a spotlight on 10 extraordinary teens from MoCo schools, exploring the lives of these young students, activists and humanitarians who dream of making a difference one day (spoiler: they already have).

We met the Amini family, who, when the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan turned their world upside down, left behind everything they knew to flee to Silver Spring and restart their lives.

The congregation of Scotland AME Zion Church was a shining example of community, given how they came together to resurrect their house of worship after a devastating flood.

We talked to disabled entrepreneurs in an array of fields who are blazing trails every day to make the world better for all of us.

One good story arose out of evil: the concerted efforts by church groups, civic leaders and ordinary people to show support for the Montgomery County Jewish community amid a wave of antisemitic events.

We brought you the stories of six extraordinary local educators who have notched countless hours rousing their students to go farther and do more.

Our annual Women Who Inspire story highlighted even more people of note, including Brooke Eby, who’s been diagnosed with ALS and now educates the world about it via TikTok videos, and Donna Westmoreland, who worked her way up from bar manager at D.C.’s 9:30 Club to chief operating officer of a regional music empire.

We introduced you to one of the most inspiring women in the community, Philanthropist of the Year Mary Pat Alcus.

We caught up with Michael Bard, a MoCo man who uses his gift for music to ease the pain of military veterans.

An entire neighborhood is coming together to cast a light on the burial grounds for enslaved people beneath their Chevy Chase homes.

And in case you felt prompted to follow the lead of any of these community members, we included dozens of ideas for donating your time, money and talents in our annual Guide to Giving.

After a year of reporting on these stories, we feel inspired. We hope after reading them, you do, too. Have a wonderful new year.

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NBA star’s massive mansion in Bethesda sells for $1 million under asking price

Staff — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Former Washington Wizard player, Bradley Beal, recently sold his Bethesda house at 8913 Holly Leaf Lane in Bethesda.

Beal, 30, put the house on the market after the three-time All-Star was traded from the Wizards to the Phoenix Suns.

According to Zillow, the 13,482-square-foot Bethesda estate was listed for approximately $10 million but sold for $9.1.

The mansion has nine bathrooms, six bedrooms, a four-car garage, and two basketball courts on nearly 14,000 square feet.

Other amenities include a pool and a “perfect kitchen for the at-home chef or a caterer” in what was described by Zillow, as a “tranquil, private, and friendly neighborhood” in Montgomery County.

There is also a two-story basement, a visitor suite, a spa, a full-size tennis court with stadium lighting, and a “one-of-a-kind underground, NBA-built, certified half-court regulation basketball court.

During his 11-year career, which he spent with the Wizards before the trade, Beal has averaged more than 22 points per game, with an average of 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game [Daily Voice].

Maryland’s ‘Gift of Trees’ Provides a Legacy of Stewardship

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering holiday shoppers a different type of gift this year that can honor a loved one, benefit future generations and improve the environment.

The Gift of Trees is a program where Marylanders purchase native trees, either a single tree or a grove of 10 trees, for planting in honor of a celebration, commemoration or observation.

Newly planted trees attract wildlife, add beauty to the surroundings, enhance air and water quality, reduce soil and ultimately improve quality of life.

The department will issue and mail a Gift of Trees certificate, which can be framed within a week or two of an order. All trees will be planted in the next growing season, either spring or fall, to promote optimal growth and survival.

Orders must be placed by Dec. 17 to ensure certificate delivery for Christmas. The standard price is $40 per tree. Holiday discounts are available for early shoppers.

Trees can be ordered online or via mail (a separate order form should be used for each recipient) along with a check payable to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, Tawes State Office Building, E-1, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401 [The Maryland Department of Natural Resources].

Free hearing devices for people over 60

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services provides free hearing devices and sound amplifiers to eligible individuals aged 60 and older living in Montgomery County.

The program is in partnership with Access HEARS, a non-profit organization that works to help people with hearing loss. Funding for the program comes from the American Recovery Act.

The devices will be delivered on a first-come, first-served basis.

To receive a free device, interested individuals must be at least 60 years old, live in Montgomery County, have mild to moderate hearing loss, and have an annual income below 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

More information about the program can be found here. [Montgomery Community Media].

Today’s weather:

Mostly cloudy and rainy with a high of 48 degrees

In case you missed it:

From donuts to burgers to Mediterranean fine dining, MoCo adds to food options

Catch a show: 16 theaters and arts venues in MoCo

MoCo’s Anti-Hate Task Force presents its final recommendations

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Bethesda male dancer plays dual role in The Nutcracker

Isabella Rolz — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:08:26 +0000

This story, originally published at 6:08 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2023, was updated at 1:20 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2023, to clarify the ages of the intermediate male dancers and the leading roles of Jacob Cowan.

Jacob Cowan, 17, of Bethesda, was tying up his white ballet shoes before he started the three-hour rehearsal at the Maryland Youth Ballet in Silver Spring on a rainy November Friday afternoon. He had a lot to prepare for–Cowan will be single-handedly portraying the lead male roles in “The Nutcracker” starting Dec. 15 at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center in Rockville.

“Doing the principal roles comes as an achievement and is fulfilling,” said Cowan, who is performing leading roles of The Nutcracker Prince and The Cavalier. “A lot of stress comes with it because it comes with a lot of responsibility, but it is also really rewarding.”

The next oldest male dancers are 13 and 14-year-olds who are still intermediates, compared to Cowan, who is on the upper level and has been dancing for approximately 12 years. Cowan recalled attending a Maryland Youth Ballet performance as a child and admiring the company’s 3-year-old male ballet artists.

According to the National Dance Education Organization, 3.5 million children in the U.S. study dance and only approximately 10% are boys.

“While MYB has a long-standing history of excellence for training boys/male-identifying dancers, during the pandemic we had many of our boys drop out when we were giving classes over Zoom,” said Deidre Byrne, the artistic director and principal at Maryland Youth Ballet. “We are actively working to rebuild our population of boys/male-identifying students to pre- pandemic levels.”

The Maryland Youth Ballet performance features 120 young dancers and tells the story of Clara, a girl who receives a Christmas gift–a Nutcracker shaped like a soldier doll. With a score by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Clara is transported into a magical world where toys come to life and the Nutcracker becomes Prince Charming.

Cowan will dance the Sugar Plum Fairy scene with Sikelia Pasquina, 16, of Bethesda.

Jacob Cowan and Sikelia Pasquina practice at the Maryland Youth Ballet in Silver Spring. Credit: Isabella Rolz.

“Working with Jacob is amazing. He is pretty much my sibling,” Pasquina said. “We come seven days a week, and on weekends we rehearse from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. I love coming here and dancing with him. We are great friends.”

Byrne, who has worked with Jacob over the past year, added: “I get little teary eyes watching him perform with Sugar Plum Fairy because I have been able to see him grow and how much he appreciates this form of art.”

The Nutcracker will be held at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center in Montgomery College, Rockville, from Dec. 15 to Dec. 17 and Dec. 21 through Dec. 23. Online tickets can be purchased here and start at $34 for adults. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, starting at $38.

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