By Debbie Adams
The Roanoke County School Board held a celebration of student and school accomplishments at
the meeting on May 22. A host of scholars and athletes from Vinton area schools were presented
with awards, along with the schools themselves. The board also named several new
administrators at the meeting.
Asst. Coach Andrew Decoster recognized Indoor Track State Champion DeShawn Austin from
WBHS who won the 55-meter hurdles in both his junior and senior years and set a school record
and a state meet record. He began running track in seventh grade. “DeShawn has a tireless work
ethic; track is his passion,” Decoster said. Austin will be attending Roanoke College in the fall.
hurdles.
WBMS eighth grader Rory Grant was recognized by RCPS English Supervisor Joe LeGault as
the winner of the Regional Spelling Bee, competing against students in over 137 schools in the
region.
his way to the National Championship competition this week. Pictured (from left) are: front row,
Joe LeGault, Tim Greenway, Rory Grant, Dr. Ken Nicely, Dr. Debora A. Bays Wilbon, Evan
Noell, and Tracy Addison, seventh grade English Dept. chair at WBMS; and back row, Cheryl
Facciani, Brent Hudson, Shelley Clemons, and David Linden.
Dr. Debora A. Bays Wilbon, the associate dean and director of the Office of Field Experience in
the College of Education and Human Development and “Bee Coordinator” at Radford University
which sponsored regional competition in the 100th Scripps Spelling Bee, noted that Rory is
competing on the national level with 242 others beginning on May 27 in what she described as a
“fierce competition.” She praised Rory for his humility, his poise, and his hard work.”
Student Advisory Council members who are graduating were recognized by Social Studies
Supervisor Phillip Martin at the School Board meeting. Nathan Rogers and Meera Raichura
represent the students at WBHS as advocates and liaisons to the School Board. Martin described
the SAC members as “caring about not just their own success, but the success and well-being of
other students.” Rogers will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall to major in architecture.
Raichura will be attending UVA as an Echols Scholar to major in chemistry.
Kenny Word from RRMM Architects recognized School Supt. Dr. Ken Nicely as the Region 6
Superintendent of the Year and presented a $1,000 scholarship to Nathan Rogers in honor of Dr.
Nicely.
Architects. He will be attending Virginia Tech this fall. Pictured (from left) are Kenny Word,
Nathan Rogers, Dr. Nicely, and Supervisor Tim Greenway.
BCAT Principal Christian Kish introduced students who won awards at the state level in
SkillsUSA competition. Sarah Nguyen from WBHS and her team won for their project “Crime
Scene Investigations.”
RCPS Supervisor of Music and Performing Arts Rick Elliott presented choir awards to several
members of the William Byrd choirs, which are directed by Matt Bartley.
All Virginia High School Chorus awards were given to: Alyssa Adams, Brooke Herschel, Alexis
Short, and Conner Wheeler.
Christian Parker was recognized as a member of the VMEA Senior Honor Choir—a difficult
group to get into, according to Elliott.
VMEA Senior Honor Choir—a very prestigious accomplishment.
All Virginia Middle School Chorus members recognized were Gracie Chisom, Jayda Baldwin,
Hanna Counts, and Marygann Jenkins.
Herman L. Horn Principal Julie Sandzimier and IT Resource teacher Tina Coffey were
recognized for an article they co-wrote which was published in the Elementary STEM Council
Journal entitled, “Bridging gaps: STEM strategies that work in Title I Schools.”
Coffey were recognized for an article they published on STEM strategies.
Herman L. Horn was also recognized for its performance in this year’s March Mathness
competition. HLH earned third place as “Most Proficient School.” Second grade HLH teacher
Jennifer Pineo’s class earned “The Most Proficient Classroom Award” in the county, and a pizza
party from IXL, an online math practice program which hosts the competition.
Human Resources Director Jim Bradshaw announced some changes in administration that affect
Vinton schools. Evan Noell, who has been the principal at William Byrd Middle School, will become the principal at William Byrd High School as of July 1. WBMS Asst. Principal Katie Hutchison will take over as principal at the middle school. Teacher Alison Thorton, who has taught at the high school for 19 years, will become one of the assistant principals at the middle school.
