Congratulations to Cam Thepsimuong, new William Byrd Class of 2026 graduate

Sunday, Oct. 19, was a tremendous day of celebration in Vinton. Camden Thepsimuong was
honored as the first graduate of the William Byrd High School Class of 2026. The auditorium at
Byrd was packed with his fellow classmates, family, friends, teachers— past and present— and
school officials, gathered to watch him cross the stage to receive his diploma.

The school organized the special ceremony for Cam, who since he was diagnosed in the summer
of 2024 with osteosarcoma, has had an incredible impact on the school, the community, the
region, and beyond.

Cam’s youth pastor, W.T. Thompson, from Valley Church of God in Roanoke, opened the
commencement ceremony:

“Today is one of those moments that reminds us why we gather— to celebrate perseverance,
courage, and heart. Graduation is always a milestone, but this one is a miracle. Because tonight,
we’re not just celebrating grades or credits; we’re celebrating grit, faith, and a young man who
decides every day that cancer will not define his story— God does.

“Faith has always been the foundation, and that’s where Cam’s story begins— trusting God
when the road ahead doesn’t make sense.

“I have had the honor of being Cam’s high school youth pastor. From that seat, I’ve witnessed
real faith— not the easy kind, but the kind that’s been tested, stretched, and still stands strong.

“Cam isn’t just a student; he’s family. He’s the kind of young man whose faith strengthens
everyone around him. Cam, you’ve changed how we see God’s goodness in difficult seasons.
You’ve taught me personally what it means to trust God when trusting doesn’t come easy.

“While most students are racing to finish homework or stressing over finals, you are facing
battles most of us can’t imagine. Yet in every conversation, every moment, you carry a joy that
lifts everyone around you.

“You walk into hospital rooms and turn them into spaces of worship. You take pain and turn it
into perspective. You make people laugh even when you’re the one hurting. You remind us that
victory isn’t only about walking across a stage— it’s about walking through storms and refusing
to lose hope.

“And that faith, that endurance, leads right into the heart of a Scripture that has carried both Cam
and all of us through this journey. When Cam first began this journey, the very first message I
preached was from Psalm 23. At the time, I didn’t realize how deeply that passage would shape
his story, but now I see it written all over his life.

“Cam has learned that the Shepherd doesn’t just lead us beside still waters; He also walks with
us through the darkest valleys. In those moments, something shifts— just as David moved from
talking about God to talking to God. That’s where trust deepens and faith becomes personal.

“Cam, you’ve lived that shift. You’ve shown us that the valley is not where faith dies; it’s where
trust grows. You remind us that the valley isn’t good, but the Shepherd is good. And when we
walk with Him, even in the shadows, His light still shines through us. The valley teaches what
the mountaintop never can. It’s in the shadows that we discover how near the Shepherd really is.

“Cam’s story reminds every one of us that the valley isn’t proof of God’s absence— it’s proof of
His presence. So today, we don’t just celebrate a graduation; we celebrate a testimony— a young
man who walks with his Shepherd, listens for His voice, and keeps his light shining even in the
valley.

Thompson continued, speaking of “Trust” from John 13:7. “You don’t realize now what I am
doing, but later you will understand. There are seasons when life doesn’t make sense and
questions seem louder than answers. But Cam’s faith shows us that even when we don’t
understand what God is doing, we can still trust Who He is. That’s real faith — faith that walks
when it can’t see the way, faith that clings when it doesn’t have clarity, faith that trusts even
when it hurts.”

Then from James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the
test, that person will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised.

“Cam shows us what perseverance really looks like— not just in body, but in spirit. His battle
isn’t only medical; it’s spiritual. Through it, he reminds us that life isn’t measured in years but in
impact.

“Some people live 80 years and never leave a mark. Cam is living his years in a way that leaves
fingerprints of faith on everyone he meets. And the way he lives his faith— joyfully,
courageously, and consistently— points us to something we’ve been talking about all year, ‘Light and staying lit, to keep the light of God burning even when life tries to blow it out.’ That phrase has become a banner over our ministry, but tonight, it becomes more than a sermon series— it becomes a living picture.

“Cam is proof that staying lit isn’t about pretending everything’s fine; it’s about keeping your
flame alive when the wind is against you. It’s about staying close to God until His glory becomes
your glow. Cam doesn’t just carry light— he is light. His light doesn’t just shine; it ignites
others. His flame makes the rest of us want to burn brighter for Jesus. He reminds us that
darkness never wins when Jesus is in the room. And that light, that fire, doesn’t fade when the
ceremony ends. It’s meant to go with us, to inspire us, to change how we live.

“Legacy— to every graduate sitting here tonight— Cam’s story preaches a sermon without a
microphone. He’s teaching us something no textbook could ever capture, that success isn’t about
how far you go, but Who you go with. He doesn’t walk this road alone. He walks it with God,
step by step, hand in hand.

“And when your own steps feel heavy or uncertain, remember this: You’re not promised easy
days, but you are promised a faithful God. Cam reminds us of that every time he smiles, every
time he prays, and every time he shows up with strength that only heaven could supply. And that
strength— that legacy of faith— is the foundation of the victory we see tonight.

“Cam, today you’re not just graduating early; you’re walking in victory. You’re showing this
entire room that faith is greater than fear and that purpose is stronger than pain. You carry
yourself with courage, humility, and a light that refuses to fade. You live out Psalm 23 daily.

“And today, as we celebrate your graduation, we also celebrate your faith— a faith that doesn’t
quit when life gets hard, a faith that shouts louder than the diagnosis, a faith that stays lit when
the world goes dark.

“You’ve already won more than a diploma— you’ve won the hearts of everyone watching you
walk this road with courage. But Cam’s story doesn’t just end with victory— it leaves us all with
a challenge— the Call to Action.

“To everyone here, Cam’s story reminds us that life is fragile, but faith is fierce. Time is short,
but love is eternal. Our goal isn’t just to make it through high school; it’s to make it through life
clinging to the same hope Cam holds: that in Christ, we are more than conquerors.

So, here’s the call: if Cam’s story has moved you tonight — don’t let it just inspire you; let it
change you. Walk with your Shepherd. Trust Him when you can’t see the way. Persevere when
life gets heavy. And keep your light burning when the world goes dark. Because the same God
who walks with Cam in the valley is walking with you, too.

“Cam, your graduation isn’t just an academic achievement; it’s a spiritual declaration. It says, ‘I
will live with purpose. I will live with faith. I will live knowing my God is still good.’

“On behalf of Valley High and this entire community, it is my honor to recognize you— not just
as a graduate, but as an overcomer. You are a young man who fights the good fight, runs the race
with endurance, and keeps the faith every single day.”

WBHS Principal Evan Noell then delivered the Principal’s Address:

“It is an honor to welcome you to the first portion of the 102 nd commencement ceremony for
William Byrd High School. As of today, we have 277 students in the Class of 2026; they are
slated to graduate in May, except for one. Each of these students carry their own identity, their
own journey, their own accomplishments, and their own purpose.

“Today, we recognize the one student who is graduating early— Camden Thepsimuong— and
we recognize his purpose, Cam’s Purpose. I am excited to be alongside you all as we honor him
on this special day. Graduating early is no small task; it is a task only accomplished by dedicated
students like Cam.

“Prior to beginning my work in education, I was also a student. I graduated from high school and
moved on to Coastal Carolina University. Throughout my years at Coastal, I was fortunate to be
a letter winner on the baseball team. We experienced great athletic success. The wins
accumulated quickly, championships were won, and we had countless players selected during the
Major League Baseball Draft.

“However, something was missing— we could not accomplish our goal of reaching the College
World Series and winning a national championship. During my senior year, we utilized one of
the top sports psychologists in the country to assist our mental preparation for the season. This
psychologist challenged us with a simple question— what makes this team and program different
than others?

“Our team set out to develop a motto for our program— a creed, if you will— a simple definition
of what our program stood for and what would carry the program into the future. Defining a
creed directs everyone’s focus towards the organization’s core values; it shifts our attention to
what truly matters and defines the reason behind ‘why we do what we do.’ I would like to
continue that phrase further, ‘why we do what we do and what is our purpose behind it.’

“Our team went through a weekend workshop in which we had hard and honest conversations.
We wrote key words on sticky notes and placed them on a board; we reevaluated the information
multiple times, moved the key words from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top.
This was all done so we could identify and highlight the perfect ‘creed’ for our program, why
were we different than everyone else.

“At the end of our weekend long session, there were only two words that our leadership team
continued to come back to and focus on— two words that dominated the conversation all of
those hours: Selfless and Relentless.

“These two words that defined my early adult life have returned to me as we celebrate Cam’s
accomplishment today.

“As we recognize the completion of his high school education, as we honor his purpose, I have
continued to connect these words with the mission of Cam’s Purpose.

“The class of 2026 will never fully understand this— at one point, we had to look up definitions
in an actual book. That book was called a dictionary. However, in preparation for today, I utilized dictionary.com to define these two words. I thought that Cam and his fellow classmates would think I was ‘a little bit cooler’ by using the internet on my phone.

“Selfless is defined as ‘having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame,
position, or money;’ the synonym that was listed was unselfish. Selfless is the antonym of
selfish.

“To say that Cam is selfless would be an understatement. He has dedicated his high school career
to serving his classmates, his teammates, and our community. Cam has continuously volunteered
his time to impact others with his presence, his positive energy, and his faith. He has chosen
service for others, service to his classmates. Cam clearly recognizes that his time at William
Byrd High School is more about others than about himself. His impact on our school and
community is a true representation of what it means to lead a selfless life.

“Additionally, Cam has shown a team-first mindset. Whether that has been on the football field,
the tennis court, the pickleball court, or in the classroom, he has desired to see others succeed
alongside him. He has shared success with others— even during the times he has had difficulties.

“Selfless leaders act quietly, but powerfully. They do not seek praise, yet their actions speak
volumes. Cam’s dedication to his scholarly requirements in the most trying of situations, while
supporting others, is truly powerful and inspiring.

“Relentless is defined as ‘not easing or slackening— maintaining speed, vigor.’ Our entire
school community can agree that Cam has relentlessly pursued his goals. Through immense
challenges, he has met the requirements necessary to obtain his Advanced Studies Diploma. He
has overcome a variance of academic schedules, instructional modalities, many challenges and
hardships; however, his resolve has remained strong!

“Furthermore, he has relentlessly pursued his overarching goal of impacting others through his
faith. The William Byrd community, the Roanoke Valley, and others thank you. Well done—
you are a faithful servant.

“A relentless graduate has an unyielding work ethic, overcomes adversity, leads by example, and
is always focused on the future. Cam has demonstrated these tenants consistently.

“Selfless and relentless— traits that all graduates have in common. It takes relentless effort to
accomplish a goal of this size, furthermore, achieving goals is lackluster— without sharing it
with others.

“Selfless and relentless. These words have been demonstrated by how Cam lives his life and by
how he has conducted himself as a scholar.

“Imagine if the entire Class of 2026 chooses to live by these two words following their high
school education. The world would be far less selfish; the world would be littered with people
who are highly focused on their goals.

“We all can lead lives that are relentlessly focused on our goals; we can selflessly commit to
something greater than ourselves. Never underestimate the domino effect of our actions. One
person’s actions can positively impact the next person, and the next, and the next.

“Leading selfless and relentless lives can shift the direction of our town, our city, our country.
Simply put— the world would be a better place if we all commit to this mindset.

“Cam has accomplished his goal of completing his education at William Byrd High School—
with incredible selflessness and relentlessness. He has accomplished this goal with an unmatched
level of energy, an unmatched smile, and an unmatched level of faith.

“Cam, your purpose is clear to all of us.”

The WBHS Choir, led by director Matt Bartley, next performed “Where the Light Begins.”

Asst. Principal Kevin Richardson presented Cam a gold Honor Graduate tassel signifying that he
achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher in his high school career; he also received a pin indicating he
has earned the prestigious Advanced Studies Diploma.

Leo Club sponsor Lisa Stover presented Cam the Leo Club Cord, saying, “Today, we come
together to celebrate not just a graduation, but a life being lived with extraordinary purpose. We
are here to honor Cam, a young man whose strength, heart, and faith continues to inspire an
entire community.

“At the heart of the Leo Club are three simple but powerful tenets: Leadership, Experience, and
Opportunity. That’s what makes a Leo. The members of the William Byrd Leo Club embody the
best qualities of service, compassion, and action. They are devoted young people who realize the
power of doing, the power of showing up, lifting others, and making the world brighter. And
Cam, that is exactly what you do.

“The ‘L’ in Leo stands for Leadership. Leadership is not about titles or awards, it’s about
influence. It’s about how we make people feel and how we inspire them to act.

“Cam, your leadership isn’t loud or self-centered. It’s quiet, humble, and deeply impactful.
Through your words, your humor, your openness, and your courage, you lead more people than
you could ever count. Whether you’re speaking to a crowd, posting an update on your journey,
or simply sharing that famous smile— you show us all how to lead with grace, grit, and faith.

“Even in the hardest moments, when pain makes it difficult to move or speak, you still think of
others first. You remind us that kindness costs nothing and that a simple hug, even when it hurts,
can mean everything. That is true leadership.

“The ‘E’ in Leo stands for Experience and experience is what shapes us into who we are. Cam’s
journey is filled with challenges that no young person should ever have to face, yet he has
transformed these challenges into something beautiful: Cam’s Purpose.

“Through your journey, Cam, you give all of us an experience we will never forget. You teach us
to find joy in small moments— to laugh through pain, to love without limits, and to keep
showing up even when life feels impossible.

“You show us that community is powerful; your social media challenges have moved people to
decorate yards in September for Christmas, paint rocks, send cards, gather in prayer, and fill
auditoriums to hear your message–your story.

“Your experience connects us and reminds us what it means to truly live with purpose.

“Finally, ‘O’ for Opportunity. Cam, you have challenged us all to grow. To see what real
courage looks like. To understand that one person, one voice, can change the way an entire town,
city, and places beyond, see hope. You give us the opportunity to love more deeply, to believe
more fiercely, and to be better versions of ourselves. That’s what service is. That’s what being a
Leo is all about— making the most of every opportunity to make someone’s life brighter.

“Cam, through every post, every prayer, every smile, and every moment of perseverance, you do
exactly that. On behalf of the William Byrd High School Leo Club, we are proud and deeply
honored to welcome you as an Honorary Leo. You exemplify what it means to live with
Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity. You show us that purpose isn’t found in what happens
to us, but in how we respond, in how we love, and in how we lift others up along the way. Your
purpose becomes our purpose. Your light shines in every one of us who has the privilege of
knowing you. Congratulations, on your graduation and on being a Leo in every sense of the
word.”

Tennis coach Alexandria Gunn presented an Athletic Cord to Camden. She has been his tennis
coach at Byrd.

“Let me tell you about Camden as a tennis player. He has achieved so much during his time on
the team. As we know, he loves the game of tennis and enjoys being on the court so much that he
made it a goal to have the longest match of the day. Some of his matches would go over two
hours. During our talks I would say ‘what’s going on, you’re not playing like you.’ Cam would
say, ‘But Ms. Gunn, he’s a nice guy’ or ‘I gotta let him get a couple of games on me to make my
comeback’ or ‘I have to sell a little bit.’

“At one point I was concerned about Camden’s vision as he would hit balls that were clearly out.
His parents were even raising eyebrows about it, and he got an eye exam. He came to practice
the next day and said, ‘My vision’s perfect!’ Of course, I was shocked. But in true Camden
fashion, he added, ‘Yeah, I know some of those balls were out, but I just wanted to play.’
What many do not know is how much Camden achieved while playing tennis at William Byrd
High School. Camden started as the third seed his freshman year and moved up to second as a
sophomore. Camden went 8-2 his sophomore year in the district. He made all-district in boys’
tennis as a second seed. This honor usually goes to the first seed and the top two second seeds
with the best record.

“Cam, it has been a pleasure to be your coach and watch you grow. I am sad that your season
ended the way that it did, but we have to trust that things happen for a reason, and we accept that
it’s God’s plan. I will never forget the last complete match you played at Northside. You were
visibly hurting, but you played through the pain and were determined to win— and you did just
that.

“We are so very proud of you and what you have accomplished. We know the last match you
could not play in was difficult, but as a team we ended up beating them anyway. In fact, we beat
everyone in the Blue Ridge District. How awesome to be a part of an undefeated season. Again,
it has been a pleasure to watch you grow as a player and a person. I see so many ways that you
have touched lives of those near and far.

“Graduation is not just about closing a chapter but beginning a new one. And I know that
whatever path lies ahead, Camden will face it with the same determination and spirit that he has
shown us all. So, on behalf of your team, your school, and your coach, I want to say thank you,
Camden, for showing us what true strength looks like. You are, and always will be, a champion.
Cam’s school counselor, Katy Nance, next presented him a$1,000 scholarship from the ASK
Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Asst. Principal Hannah Prater invited Cam to the stage to receive his diploma from Principal
Noell, and Assistant Principals Marcee Cook, Kevin Richardson, and Prater. All William Byrd
alumni were invited to stand and join Cam as he moved his tassel from right to left and became
an official William Byrd High School graduate.

Also on stage were Roanoke County Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jamie Soltis, Roanoke County
School Board representatives Tim Greenway (Vinton District) and David Linden (Hollins
District), Roanoke County Executive Director of Administration, and former Principal of
William Byrd High School Tammy Newcomb, Roanoke County Public Schools, Supervisor of
Social Studies Instruction and former Assistant Principal at William Byrd High School Phillip
Martin. Former principal Travis Anderson also attended.

Camden, members of the tennis team, friends, and tennis coach
Alexandria Gunn are pictured at Cam’s graduation party. (photo by Suzanne Witcher)By Debbie Adams