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A Meridian High School graduate has earned national recognition for fighting hunger, while a Falls Church family was honored for a scholarship program that has provided more than $1.3 million in college assistance. Other local developments include a food pantry donation, the acquisition of a women-led wealth management firm and expanded scholarships for adult apprenticeship students.

Meridian graduate named a national “Food Hero”

Hormel Foods named 19-year-old Meridian High School graduate Adam Belouad one of its 10 Under 20 Food Heroes for 2025 during a Nov. 30 ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Minnesota.

Belouad, a member of Meridian’s Class of 2025, is now a first-year Princeton University student studying computer science and architecture. He also serves as executive director of Hand to Hunger, a nonprofit that helps students organize, finance and conduct meal-packaging events at their high schools.

The effort began when Belouad and friends started cooking weekly meals for a local homeless shelter. What started with 30 bagged lunches grew to 4,000 meals by its third month. Hand to Hunger has since served more than 220,000 meals and mobilized 62,500 student volunteers.

Hormel’s annual program recognizes young people working toward a more secure, transparent and sustainable food system. The honorees were invited to meet company leaders and discuss ways to expand their projects and develop their leadership skills.

Katie Clark, Hormel Foods’ senior vice president and chief communications officer, said the 10 honorees have pursued efforts ranging from state legislation to sustainable farming solutions.

Wollenberg family honored for $1.3 million scholarship legacy

The Falls Church Education Foundation presented its 2025 Impact Award to the Wollenberg family during a Dec. 5 breakfast.

The family established the J. Roger and Patricia A. Wollenberg Memorial Scholarship in 2004 to provide need-based tuition assistance to Falls Church City Public Schools students. Twenty students have received more than $1.3 million in tuition and fees at seven Virginia colleges and universities.

In 2025, the program awarded a Meridian High School senior a need-based, full-ride scholarship to attend a four-year public university in Virginia after graduation.

Many recipients have been the first members of their families to attend college, and some have faced serious personal hardships. Former recipients have gone on to careers in physical therapy, consulting, project management and hearing care, among other fields.

One recipient, 2011 George Mason High School graduate Brittany Rorrer, attended Virginia Tech and earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology in 2015. She completed a doctorate in physical therapy in 2020 and now practices in Falls Church.

Rorrer said the scholarship changed the course of her life by making higher education attainable and allowing her to concentrate on her studies.

The scholarship honors a family with deep ties to Falls Church public education and civic life. J. Roger Wollenberg, who died in 2000, was a communications lawyer and founding partner of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. He served on both the Falls Church School Board and City Council and argued seven cases before the U.S. Supreme Court during a legal career spanning more than 50 years.

He also helped found Citizens for a Better City and participated in several local civic and preservation organizations.

Community campaign delivers $1,137 to food pantry

The Village Preservation and Improvement Society raised $1,137 for the Falls Church Community Service Food Pantry after promising to match donations up to $500.

The society announced that it would deliver the check Nov. 28. The pantry provides emergency food and rental assistance to individuals and families in the Falls Church community.

The pantry is located at 3245 Glen Carlyn Road.

Women-led Falls Church wealth firm joins Beacon Pointe

Beacon Pointe acquired Falls Church-based Hemington Wealth Management on Nov. 15, adding another women-led team to its growing national advisory business.

Hemington, which has offices at 7651 Leesburg Pike and in Chicago, managed or advised approximately $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion before the transaction. The firm specializes in assisting women through major life transitions and conducts Women of Wealth studies examining women’s financial priorities and experiences.

The acquisition increased Beacon Pointe’s assets under advisement to approximately $55 billion. It was the company’s 12th transaction of the year and its fifth addition of a female-led advisory team in 2025.

Newport Beach, California-based Beacon Pointe was founded in 2002 and operates more than 80 offices nationwide. The company describes itself as the country’s largest women-led registered investment advisory firm.

Hemington partners and managing directors Eileen O’Connor and Jen Dawson said the combination would broaden their firm’s capabilities while maintaining its emphasis on empowering women and providing personalized financial guidance.

Fairfax expands aid for apprenticeship students

Fairfax County Public Schools’ Adult and Community Education program is offering more scholarship opportunities for current and prospective apprenticeship students during the spring 2026 term.

The program awarded nearly $35,000 to apprenticeship students in fall 2025. Strong demand helped fill all Level 1 fall classes, prompting the opening of additional sections.

Up to $40,000 may be awarded for the spring term. Each successful applicant will receive $1,000 toward tuition for an eligible course, including Electrical Level 2 or 4 and Plumbing Level 2 or 4.

The scholarships are intended for low-income adults who live or work in Fairfax County and are pursuing careers in the trades. Previous scholarship recipients may apply again.

Applications are due by midnight Dec. 31, 2025. Questions about the application process may be directed to educationalcounseling@fcps.edu.