By Debbie Adams
Each year athletes from the Senior Class playing fall sports are honored at one of William Byrd’s
home football games. They walk the track in front of the main grandstand to be recognized,
accompanied by members of their families. In 2024, athletes from the Class of 2024 participating
in football, golf, cross country, and cheer were honored, along with the graduating members of
the Marching Terriers band.
Members of the Senior Class on the Terriers football team include Kam McKee, Jahdai
English, Jalen Toler, Ethan Haston, Landon Martin, Izayah Brown, Jonathan Rosser, Aidan
Kelly, Jarrett Shepherd, Blake Anderson, Braeden Young, Nick Bustamante, George Slusser,
Greg Stiltner, Cyrus Adams, Hayden Lish, Maurice Burnette, Graylen Castleberry, Gabe Dixon,
B.J. Cheatwood, and Carson Bivens.
Kam McKee (#1) has been in the William Byrd football program for a year. He also played on
the baseball and basketball teams at Byrd and has been a member of DECA and the FCA. He
plans to attend Virginia Western after graduation and major in construction management. He was
escorted by his parents Mark and Kim McKee, and sister, Kasey.
Jahdai English (#2) has been in the WBHS football program for four years. He has also been a
member of the basketball and track teams at Byrd. He plans to attend college, major in business,
and play football. He was escorted by his parents, Frank and Kristen English.
Jalen Toler (# 3) has been a member of the football program at Byrd for four years. He has also
participated in indoor and outdoor track and has been a member of the International Club. He
plans to attend college, major in veterinary sciences, and minor in electronic music. He was
escorted by his mother, Justina Thompson, his father Stephen Toler, and his younger brother,
Jamez Toler.
Ethan Haston (#5) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has been a
member of the WBHS basketball and outdoor track teams, as well as a member of DECA,
Young Life, and the Beta Club. He plans to attend college and major in criminal justice or
business. He was escorted by his father, Brian Haston, and his mother, Rachel Robertson.
Landon Martin (#7) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also
participated in indoor and outdoor track. He plans to attend Lee University and major in exercise
science and youth ministry. He was escorted by his parents, Ray and Nicole Martin.
Izayah Brown (#10) has been in the William Byrd football program for one year. He has also
played basketball and soccer at Byrd. He plans to attend Virginia Western for trade school. He
was escorted by his mother, Toni Brown, and his brother, Rodney.
Jonathan Rosser (#13) has been in the William Byrd football program for four years. He has also
played on the lacrosse team. He plans to attend a four-year university, play football, and major in
architecture. He was escorted by his parents, Erica and Jonathan Rosser, Sr., and his sisters,
Jaylen and Mya.
Aidan Kelly (#17) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. After graduation,
he plans to attend college and major in sports medicine. He was escorted on Senior Night by his
parents, Matthew and Stephanie Kelly, his sister Morgan, and his brother, Leo.
Jarrett Shepherd (#22) has been in the football program at WBHS for six years. He has also
played baseball and ran indoor and outdoor track. He plans to attend college and study
criminology. He was escorted by his mother, Deborah Shepherd; his brothers, Dustin, Dyllan,
and Deven; his sister-in-law, Mackenzie; and nephew, Alex, walking in loving memory of his
father, Mike Shepherd.
Blake Anderson (#23) has been in the football program at William Byrd for six years. He plans
to attend Radford University and major in exercise, sport, and health education. He was escorted
by his parents, Dustin and Courtney Anderson, and his brother, Dillon.
Braeden Young (#25) has been in the WB football program for six years. He has also ran track
and field and been a member of the DECA Club. He plans to attend a four-year college and
major in psychology. He was escorted by his parents, Travis and Amanda Young, his sister,
Skylar, and his brother, Damien.
Nick Bustamante (#50) has been a member of the William Byrd football program for six years.
He also played on the lacrosse team. He plans to attend college and major in business. He was
escorted by his parents, Kasandra and Davis Bustamante, his sister, Olivia, and his brother,
David.
George Slusser (#51) has been in the William Byrd football program for four years. He has also
been a member of the track team. He is unsure which school he will attend after high school but
wants to pursue nursing. He was escorted by his mother, Kimberly McConnell, and his sister,
Bethany.
Greg Stiltner (#53) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also been
active in track and field and is a member of the Beta Club. He plans to attend trade school to
become an electrician. He was escorted by his mother, Jennifer, and his sister, Teagan.
Cyrus Adams (#54) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also
been a member of the DECA Club and FCA. He plans to attend either Virginia Tech or James
Madison University and major in sports management. He was escorted by his parents, Chris and
Christina Adams.
Hayden Lish (#60) has been in the football program at William Byrd for five years. He plans to
attend Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix, Ariz. He was escorted by his parents, Rhyan
and Crystal Lish, and his brother Brayden.
Maurice Burnette (#62) has been in the William Byrd football program for three years. He has
also played on the basketball team. He plans to attend college to study psychiatric nursing. He
was escorted by his mother, Ashley Webb.
Graylen Castleberry (#63) has been in the football program at William Byrd for five years. He
has also been on the wrestling team and is a member of Young Life and the DECA Club. He
plans to attend college and major in engineering. He was escorted by his parents, Tera and
Stephen Lasher, and his siblings, James, Cruise, and Danica.
Gable Dixon (#64) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years, After
graduation, he plans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He was escorted by his
grandparents, Amy and Tim Harvey, and his sister, Kylie Dixon.
B.J. Cheatwood (#65) has been in the football program at William Byrd for six years. He plans to
attend Roanoke College to major in pre-dentistry and continue to play football. He was escorted
by his parents, Barry and Arnisa Cheatwood.
Carson Bivens (#71) has been in the William Byrd football program for three years. He has also
been a member of the Beta Club. He plans to attend a trade school to study heating and air
conditioning systems. He was escorted by his father, Randy Bivens, and mother, Trysh Brannan.
Graduating seniors on the Golf Team include Brogan Dent, Hayden Eads, Landon Haithcock,
and Reid Ruble.
Brogan Dent has been in the William Byrd golf program for one year. He has also played
baseball and is a member of FCA, Young Life, and the DECA Club. He plans to attend Concord
University but is undecided on his area of study. He was escorted by his parents, Kim and Justin
Dent.
Hayden Eads has been a member of the golf team at William Byrd for two years. He has played
basketball and baseball, and is a member of the FCA, Young Life, and the DECA Club. He plans
to attend a four-year college. He was escorted by his parents, Rebecca and Brian Eads.
Landon Haithcock has been in the William Byrd golf program for three years. He has also played
baseball. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in Marketing Management. He was
escorted by his parents, Mike and Erin Haithcock.
Reid Ruble has been part of the William Byrd golf program for two years. He has also played
basketball and ran track. He is a member of the FCA and Beta Club. He plans to attend Liberty
University but is undecided on a major. He was escorted by his parents, Rich and Hannah Ruble.
Cross country seniors include Skylar Fitzgerald and Megan Higgins.
Skylar Fitzgerald has been in the William Byrd cross country program for four years. She has
also played soccer and has been a member of the Beta Club and FCCLA. She plans to attend
Auburn University and major in business. She was escorted by her parents, Ashley and Chris
Fitzgerald.
Megan Higgins has been in the William Byrd cross country program for four years She has also
played soccer and been a member of the Beta Club and Chorale. She plans to attend James
Madison University and major in chemistry. She was escorted by her parents, Mark and Karen
Higgins.
Cheer athletes include Jaleiya Bannister, Kaitlyn Duncan, Spencer Peters, and Vanessa Sattah.
Jaleiya Bannister was a member of the William Fleming cheer program for five years and has
been a member of the William Byrd cheer program for two years. She has also been a part of
indoor and outdoor track and a member of the Leo and FBLA Clubs. After graduation, she plans
to attend A&T North Carolina State University and major in criminal justice and psychology to
become a forensic psychologist. She was escorted by her mother, Alicia Bannister, and
grandfather, Chris Gravely.
Kaitlyn Duncan has been a member of the William Byrd cheer program for six years. She plans
to attend college and major in business administration. She was escorted by her parents, Timothy
and Monica Duncan.
Spencer Peters has been a member of the William Byrd cheer program for five years. She has
also run track and been a member of the DECA Club and Beta Club. She plans to attend a four-
year university and major in nursing. She was escorted by her parents, Spence and Whitney
Peters.
Vanessa Sattah has been a member of the William Byrd sideline cheer program for five years
and the competition cheer program for four years. While at William Byrd, she has also been a
part of the Leo, International, and Beta Clubs. She plans to attend James Madison University and
major in nursing to later become a nurse anesthetist. She was escorted by her parents, Zaid and
Lina Sattah, and her sister, Celia.
Seniors in the William Byrd band program include Genevieve Paul, Becca Radford, and
Kayleigh Taylor.
Genevieve Paul has been a member of the William Byrd band program for four years. She is also
a member of the Beta Club. She plans to study criminal justice but is undecided as to which
college she will attend. She was escorted by her father, Timothy Paul, and her mother, Jannifer
Mason.
Becca Radford has been a member of the William Byrd band program for four years. She is also
a member of the Beta Club. She plans to attend Gardner Webb University to major in music
education with hopes to teach secondary music. She was escorted by her parents, Brad and Beth
Radford.
Kayleigh Taylor has been a member of the William Byrd band program for three years. She
plans to attend college and major in nursing. She was escorted by her parents, Gary and Karen
Taylor.
Photos by Suzanne Witcher and Debbie Adams
