By Debbie Adams
The William Byrd High School Terriers won their third football game in a row on Sept. 13,
defeating the Christiansburg Demons 33-0.
The WBHS football players were not the only ones recognized at this first home game. Camden
Thepsimuong, a football and tennis player at Byrd, was present for the game and recognized in
his battle against bone cancer. He was diagnosed this summer with osteosarcoma and is
undergoing treatment at a hospital in North Carolina. Members of the football team, the
cheerleading squad, the student Dog Pound, and many others in the crowd wore yellow in his
honor, as he supported them from the sidelines.
game and cheer on his teammates from the sidelines. Pictured left to right are Zachary Camden,
Camden Thepsimuong, and Dominic Hayslett. (photos by Suzanne Witcher)
The WBHS Leo Club, a service organization, invited those in attendance to write cards for Cam
to read during his chemotherapy treatments and provided the supplies.
his chemotherapy treatments. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Karen Jackson, the first African American member of the William Byrd Marching Band back in
the 1973-74 school year (they were then known as the Tootin’ Terriers), was introduced and
performed the national anthem.
American member of the marching band back in 1973-1974.
According to Jackson, she was raised on Raleigh Avenue, one of the only integrated streets in
Vinton, and received her early education at Craig Avenue Elementary School. A few years later
at Roland E. Cook Elementary, she discovered her great love for music. Before her sixth-grade
year at William Byrd Intermediate School, her mother purchased her first flute. She studied
music for three years under the direction of Joe Spigel. It was at this time that people began
taking notice of her singing voice. She joined her first band, singing vocals, around the age of 14.
During the 1973-74 school year as a freshman at WBHS, Jackson took the field with the
marching band as the first African American to march and perform at Byrd under the direction of
Dr. Stephen King. She also played piccolo in the concert band.
Her high school years were met with a little more turbulence as the community struggled with
the depths of the Civil Rights Movement. She would only remain in the band one additional year,
but during her entire five years of study, she never experienced a racial slur, nor any
unpleasantries surrounding race. As she looks back, “The band at William Byrd provided the
greatest sense of camaraderie” she would ever experience in life. She also attributed her singing
success to the band as she was fortunate enough to study voice. Her vocal coach credits the
development of her voice directly to playing the flute.
Jackson went on to sing lead vocals with a couple of other bands in the area and was invited to
sing at the State Democratic Convention held in Roanoke at the Civic Center. She also appeared
in the musical “Henry Street” and other shows in the Roanoke Valley.
Her daughter, Cheyenne, also played the flute in the band at WBMS and was chosen to sing a
solo at her WBHS graduation in 2015. Jackson continues to share her vocal talents most Sunday
mornings with the Mass Choir of Pilgrim Baptist Church.”
The Marching Terriers, led by Band Director Dan Plybon, and Jackson performed the national
anthem while cadets from the Navy National Cadet Defense Corps raised the American flag
above the scoreboard.
After the first quarter of play, representatives from the Vinton Kroger presented a check for
$1,000 to WBHS. Kroger is known as a “proud partner of local high school football,” supporting
the school, the Town of Vinton, and the surrounding community. Kroger’s front-end manager,
Jennifer Schult, and Assistant Store Leader Katie Ewing presented the check to William Byrd
Principal Travis Anderson.
Throughout the football season, Kroger hosts football-themed events at their stores with free
snacks, giveaways, activities, and more. Recently, it sponsored a Peanut Butter Drive for the
community. Each year the store contributes to the WBHS After Prom and the Marching Band, as well as to Herman L. Horn, W.E. Cundiff, Bonsack, and Mount Pleasant Elementary Schools in
a variety of ways.
At half time, the Marching Terriers performed their program for this year, entitled “Reign.” The
band is led by Corps Commander Braeden Booth and Drum Major Becca Radford. Horn Line
captains are Josh Allen and Dixie Venable; Percussion captains are Braedan Booth and Kayleigh
Taylor; Color Guard captain is Genna Paul.
Band staff, in addition to Plybon, includes Assistant Director Jordan Downing, Color Guard
Instructor Jenny Swortzel, and Percussion Instructor Kathryn Santello.
Instrumental soloists for the show were Dixie Venable, Josh Allen, and Levi Whitcomb. Color
Guard soloists were Genna Paul and Emily Clinebell.
The Terriers football team gave the William Byrd cheerleaders, Dog Pound members, and
spectators lots to cheer about throughout the game. The next game is scheduled at home against
Bassett on Sept. 20. It’s Homecoming weekend.
To contribute to Cam Thepsimuong’s GoFund me page and help his family with lodging and
transportation expenses, visit https://gofund.me/f0d7164c.
