William Byrd High School recognizes Class of 2026 at Honors Banquet

By Debbie Adams

William Byrd High School held its annual Honors Banquet and Scholarship Ceremony on April
27, recognizing outstanding seniors in the Class of 2026— perhaps the largest number of honorees  in school history.

Principal Evan Noell, directing his remarks to parents and families, said, “You have raised
tremendous young people.”

The first and most coveted awards of the evening— the Best All Around Awards— were
presented to Makenzie Scott and Darin Witcher. These awards are based on academic success
and on who best represents good character and investment in their school and community. They
are nominated and selected by the faculty.

Kathryn Sowers, co-president of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Vinton, presented the award for
Best All Around Female to Scott saying, “This student is well-rounded; not only is she a great
academic student, but she is on the track and field team and a JV and varsity cheerleader captain.
She has been involved in the community by being a member of the Leo Club, president of the
SCA, a member of Senior Council, the Prevention Club, the Beta Club, and the Help Save the
Next Girl Chapter. She is a Governors Scholar, this year’s DAR Good Citizen, and a Junior
Marshal. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Virginia Western
Community College for maintaining a 4.0 GPA. In her spare time, she works as a junior coach at
Defy Gravity and works with the Lions Club and helping Healing Strides of Virginia clean up
their farm for people who need therapeutic riding sessions. She was also a member of this year’s
Vinton Dogwood Festival Court.”

Justin Fix, president of the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club, presented the Best All Around Male
Award to Witcher.

“As a graduate of William Byrd, I still carry a great deal of Terrier pride, and it is an honor to
stand here tonight to recognize a student who truly defines what this school stands for. The Best
All Around Male Student Award is a unique honor. It is not about one achievement: it is about
the total package. Darin was first nominated by the staff at William Byrd and then selected after
a rigorous review of his academic standing, his commitment to extracurriculars, and his heart for
volunteerism.

“When you look at this young man’s record, the word ‘discipline’ comes to mind. He has
maintained a 4.19 GPA while tackling the engineering program at BCAT. He is a Junior Marshal
and has balanced multiple jobs and internships, from working at Kroger to interning with Branch
Civil.

“But many of you know him for his dominance on the mat. He is a multiple-time State
Champion wrestler and has been a staple of the All-State team for years. Yet, what impressed the
staff most was not just the winning, it was the leading. Whether he is volunteering with the
Appalachian Trail Club or serving as a youth coach for the Vinton Booster Club wrestling team,
he is constantly giving back to the community that raised him.

“His teachers describe him as a ‘Top Terrier’— someone who is always happy, helpful, and
polite, exemplifying what it means to be a leader both in the classroom and in the community.”

Other special awards kept secret until the night of the banquet are Department Awards given to
“one outstanding senior who maintains good academic standards in that department, displays
good character, and contributes constructively to the class, department, and school.”  These students are recommended by teachers in individual departments, with selection based on a
consensus vote of the teachers in that department.”

Department Awards were presented to:

 Lucy Whitenack—Art

 Josh Allen—Band

 Sydney Larson—Business

 Brooke Hershel—Choir

 Macabe James—English

 Tatianna Kubik—German

 Annabelle Teague—Latin

 Tate Kotz—Marketing

 Braeden Booth—both Math and Social Studies

 Jesus Leon—Physical Education

 Ryan McIntyre—Science

 Jayden Niday—Spanish

 Xavier Clingenpeel—Technology Education

 Peyton Wright—Yearbook

Scholarships were presented, many in remembrance of loved ones, others from local
organizations.

PTSO Awards ($500) were presented by PTSO President Kori Webb to Andrew Bartley, Kelsey
Bell, Tyson Brady, Owen Humphreys, Carter Leonard, Kenady Leonard, Miley Moses, Mallory
Peroulas, Ava Sexton, and Annabelle Teague. This was a record-setting number of awards for
the PTSO.

The Dr. Charlie J. “Jay” Lovelace III Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) was presented to three
students this year who attend Vinton Baptist Church with plans to attend a four-year university:
Kelsey Bell, Aubrey Booze, and Miley Moses Pinion. These scholarships were presented by Charles
and Carolee Lovelace in memory of their son, Jay, a dentist and WBHS graduate.

Erica Thomas Memorial Scholarships ($500) were presented by the Thomas family and former
WBHS Principal Tammy Newcomb to Kyndall Agee and J.W. Vaughan in memory of WBHS
student Erica Thomas, an outstanding student-athlete.

Arnold R. Burton Scholarships ($500) were presented by Coach Paul Barnard to Gabrielle
Romeo and Darin Witcher.

Reindeer Club Scholarships ($800) were presented by Len Hale and to Addison Clark, Anna Carter,
Brooke Justus, and Peyton Wright.

Wallace Cundiff Memorial Scholarships ($1,000) were presented by Sam Cundiff in memory of
his father, Wallace, a beloved member of the Vinton community, School Board member, and
founder of the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club, to Ava Sexton, Brooke Justus, and Miley Moses Pinion.

Vinton Breakfast Lions Club Scholarships ($1,500) were presented by President Justin Fix to
Brooke Justus and Makenzie Scott.

The Vinton Woman’s Club Scholarship was presented by Co-President Kathryn Sowers to
Mallory Peroulas.

W.E. Cundiff Elementary PTA Scholarships ($500) were presented by Principal Ashley
McCallum and PTA President Sierra Nicely to former students Jayden Niday and Miley
Moses Pinion.

The Bob and Dee Graybill Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) was presented to J.W. Vaughan by
Scott Graybill in memory of his parents who wished to give back to the community.

Dr. Herbert L. Keaton Memorial Scholarship was presented to Cary Jones by Chris Keaton in
memory of his father, Dr. Herbert Keaton, Vinton’s first optometrist, who “loved education and
never stopped learning.

Keaton also presented the Marie Jeanean Dearman Memorial Scholarship to Meisha Robinson,
presented in honor of his mother, a free-spirit and long-time church organist who loved music.

The RAYSAC–Kathy Graham Sullivan Memorial Scholarships ($500) were awarded to Kyndall
Agee and Meisha Robinson.

Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Dept. Scholarship ($500) was presented to Ava Sexton by Chief Eric
Stump in memory of long-time firefighter Mike Gee.

The Kathy Laughlin Memorial Scholarship honoring an “amazing educator” and member of
Vinton community for over 40 years was presented to Macabe James by Katie Hetherington and
Caitlin Lilly— both students of Kathy Laughlin.

Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation Scholarships were presented by RCPS
Director of Community Relations Chuck Lionberger:

 Elizabeth Martin ($1,000) Carilion Clinic Biology/Science Scholarship

 Gabrielle Romeo ($1,000 each) Carilion Clinic Research Scholarship, Craig Hodge
Civics Scholarship

 Tatianna Kubik ($500) Herman L. Horn Elementary PTA Scholarship

 Luke Helton ($500) LaCole Board Memorial Scholarship

 Napiray Sierra’prin ($500) Lewis Family Scholarship (formerly the Vinton McDonald’s
Scholarship) established by the Lewis family to a WBHS graduate

 Darin Witcher ($4,000) Quincy Development Company Scholarship for a graduate
attending a two- or four-year college or university in Virginia

The Mike Shepherd Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) in memory of Coach Mike Shepherd was
awarded to Tyler Chambers, Asher Claybrook, Tate Kotz, Cannin Lutz, and Dominic Myers.

The Friends of the Blue Ridge Scholarship ($1,000) was established to honor founder Lynn
Davis by assisting students from Blue Ridge communities who plan to study environmental or
cultural studies. Brooke Justus received this award.

The Stovall-Page Scholarship was presented to Aubrey Booze in memory of Raymond Eugene
Page and Joseph William Stovall, both WBHS graduates and members of Vinton Baptist Church.

The Uri. D. and Blanche A. Smith Scholarship recipients were Brooke Justus and Makenzie
Scott.

Noell also presented a graduation stole to Darin Witcher who was nominated by students and
elected by the faculty as Top Terrier 2025-2026.

Dog Pound leaders Addison Clark and Darin Witcher received stoles as leaders of the student
spirit section known as the Dog Pound this year.

Five students were given Blue Ridge District Academic Awards for the highest GPAs and most
school letters: Gabrielle Romeo, Asher Claybrook, Tatianna Kubik, Darin Witcher, and
Makenzie Scott.

Darin Witcher and Lucy Whitenack were announced as William Byrd B’Nai Brith winners. They
will compete with students from 19 other schools in the Roanoke Valley, based on 40%
academic success, 40% athletic success, and 20% community service.

Valedictorians were recognized who have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher during high school
and presented with their graduation paraphernalia: Joshua Abbott, Kyndall Agee, Joshua Allen,
Andrew Bartley, Olivia Bashan, Ainsley Bolen, Braeden Booth, Aubrey Booze, Tyson Brady,
Jacob Bray, Sophia Brown, Caleb Brunk, Kaylin Bumgarner, Olivia Bustamante, Lily Carrell,
Anna Carter, Tyler Chambers, Addison Clark, Asher Claybrook, Ashton Dillon, Jaelyn English,
Paul Ferrebee II, Elizabeth Gheen, Chloe Gill, Sofia Gonzalez, Tyler Harris, Brooke Hershel,
Jaden Holmes, Taylor Jacobsen, Macabe James, Cary Jones, Brooke Justus, Tate Kotz, Shelby
Krawczyk, Tatianna Kubik, Carleigh Leonard, Carter Leonard, Kenady Leonard, Brooklyn
Linick, Eliabeth Martinez, Ryan McIntyre, Collin Mills, Miley Moses Pinion, Emily Ngo,
Jayden Niday, Lilian Perez, Mallory Peroulas, Bethany Pittenger, Meisha Robinson, Gabrielle
Romeo, Kyle Saccocci, Abigail Saritelli, Makenzie Scott, Napiray Sierra’ prin, Mitchell
Sigafoes, Ethan Sutton, Kaeleigh Swan, Annabelle Teague, Lucy Whitenack, Noah Williams,
Darin Witcher, and Peyton Wright.

Distinguished Honor Graduates were recognized for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher and presented
with their graduation paraphernalia: Jeremy Abbott, Royce Apple, Ashley Arven, Blake Austin,
Zachary Bailey, Ceiliann Baldwin Ashleigh Barton, Kelsey Bell, Sawyer Bolen, Christopher
Boykin, Joshua Boykin, Abigail Brigdon, Allysa Brooks, Kendra Brunk, Jenna Bunce, Sydney
Coles, Bladimir Cortes Martinez, Jacob Courtemanche, Bianca DeMelo, Evelyn Dickason
Kendall Dodson, Emma Dooley, Sidney Draper, Isabella Dudley, Nathaniel Edwards, Shelby
Ensor, Katelynn Franks, Cody Gardner, Samuel Geist, Braelynn Gibson, Ryleigh Grubb, Keegan
Harold, Alexander Hastings, Kalee Hayes, Luke Helton, Gavin Hilliker, Owen Humphreys,
Lauren Johnson, Brian Kingery, Sydney Larson, Kayla Lovern, Cara May, Anya Moore, Lindsay Murtaugh, Lizeth Nolasco, Gabrielle Norris, Morgan Odum, Carlee Partleton, Sienna Perdue, Lola Pernot, MaKiya Price, Justyn Rozenboom, Keith Schult, Ava Sexton, Bryce Simpson, Jacob Smith, James Smith, Jr., Jarrett Smith, Taylor Spangler, Kylind Spence, Mallory Summo, Evan Tabor, Jaxon Toms, Catherine Underwood, Zane Vasser, Dixie Venable, Aliyah Ware, Skylar Williams, and Aaron Wood.

Assistant Principal Kevin Richardson cautioned students that they need to “finish strong” to
maintain their GPAs through graduation.