Two William Byrd High School students were recognized by the Roanoke County School Board
at the board meeting on Sept. 18. Camden Thepsimuong was awarded the WBHS Community
Impact Award for demonstrating the impact one person can make on the lives of many others.
Braeden Booth was recognized for attending the prestigious Governor’s World Language
Academy for Spanish this past summer.
Impact Award at the board meeting on Sept. 18. Pictured are (from left): front row, former
WBHS Principals Travis Anderson and Tammy Newcomb, School Board member Tim
Greenway, Cam with his mother Charlene, WBHS Principal Evan Noell, Asst. Principal Marcee
Cook, Asst. Principal Kevin Richardson, and Counselor Katy Nance; back row, School Board
Chair Shelley Clemons and members Brent Hudson, Cheryl Facciani, and David Linden, with
School Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely. (photo courtesy of RCPS)
WBHS Principal Evan Noell introduced Cam, saying, “Cam Thepsimuong began his time as a
Roanoke County student in first grade at Bonsack Elementary; he continued through William
Byrd Middle School and is now a senior at William Byrd High School. To say Cam is a proud
Terrier would be an understatement. Cam is a member of our football and tennis teams and is
also a member of the William Byrd High School pickleball club – even though his brother, Liam,
has told me he would beat Cam at pickleball.
“Cam has demonstrated high academic performance throughout his time as a student and is
scheduled to graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma.
“During the summer of 2024, Cam was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in his
bone. Since his diagnosis, Cam has touched the lives of many through his positive attitude, his
energy, his humor, and most importantly to him, his faith. He and his mother Charlene have
openly shared details of his battle through Cam’s Purpose – a Facebook page with over 4,000
followers nationwide. Within the Roanoke Valley, countless businesses, churches, and school
organizations have rallied behind the Cam’s Purpose cause. There is no question, he is
continuing to make a positive impact on people and communities across our state and beyond.
“Throughout recent weeks, the impact Cam continues to have on our community has truly been
highlighted – not only in the William Byrd community – but across all of Roanoke County
Public Schools. We were able to host a Cam’s Purpose game against Cave Spring High School
during Week 1 of the football season; we cannot thank Haley Deeds, her staff, and the fans of
Cave Spring enough for their support. It was my son’s first William Byrd football game, and he did not have a yellow shirt. When my wife took him to the store, he chose a yellow-Pikachu
sweatshirt; he had heard me say that ‘Cam loves Pokemon.’
“The following week, we played host to Hidden Valley High School. Unbeknownst to us,
Hidden Valley seniors approached Josh Whitlow that week – requesting to change their student-
section theme to ‘Yellow-Out for Cam.’ Hidden Valley staff members joined in by wearing
yellow to work on that Friday. Thank you to Hidden Valley.
“This afternoon, I have spoken with Northside High School, who plans to demonstrate support
for Cam during our away game on October 10. Thank you to Jill Green and her staff for their
support.
“When Cam and I were planning our Cam’s Purpose game – I asked him what he would like the
game to entail – he told me ‘I just want to be with my boys.’ He then stated, ‘All this for me?’ I
responded, ‘Yes, Cam’ – he responded in a way that could not embody a 17-year-old more,
‘Cool.’ That simple statement is a testament to Cam’s humility, strength, and character. It is clear
why so many members of our community have been supporting Cam and his family – without
being asked to do so.
“This past week, we had the pleasure of highlighting our holiday spirit a little bit early on the
William Byrd campus. Terrier Nation was decked out in holiday attire as Cam rode through our
campus to ‘take it all in.’ Officer Johnny Runyon led him through a parade that included all the
students and staff from William Byrd Middle and William Byrd High School. Additionally, the
community has sent Christmas cards to Cam over recent weeks. Two of those cards came from
my personal children. Cam, thank you for helping me spread your message of faith and hope to
my children at home.
“It is said that faith, hope, and love are the best things we have. Cam, you continue to
demonstrate incredible faith and hope in this battle. We hope that you all will continue to feel the
love of our community! Know that our support does not come without recognizing the great
things you do on a daily basis. We may never know the true number of people that Cam has
inspired, given hope to, helped to rekindle their faith, or become friends with on similar
journeys.
“On behalf of William Byrd High School, it is our honor to present Cam with the Community
Impact Award.”
Student Braeden Booth was recognized by WBHS World Language Dept. Chair and Spanish
teacher Brittany Martin and Dr. Paula Newbill, supervisor of World Languages.
Washington and Lee University this past summer. He was nominated by Spanish teacher
Brittany Martin. (photo by Debbie Adams)
“It is my privilege to recognize Braeden Booth, a senior at William Byrd High School, for his
remarkable achievement of being accepted into and successfully completing the highly selective
Virginia Governor’s World Language Academy for Spanish this past summer,” Martin said.
“This three-week, full-immersion program required students to give up their cell phones and
commit to speaking only Spanish while engaging in intensive academic, cultural, and
community-building experiences.
“Braeden not only thrived in this challenging environment but also demonstrated the very
qualities that align with Roanoke County’s C-Change Framework and its commitment to Deeper
Learning.
“Through this experience, he strengthened his communication skills by engaging exclusively in
Spanish, broadened his sense of community by collaborating with peers from across Virginia,
practiced critical thinking skills through problem-solving in a second language, and showcased
his creativity by contributing musically during cultural events.
“Most importantly, his complete immersion in the Spanish language and culture deepened his
sense of global citizenship, an essential skill in the interconnected world of the 21st century.
Braeden’s accomplishment is a shining example of how world language education fosters the 5
‘C’s’ and deeper learning outcomes that prepare our students to be opportunity-ready,
innovative, and engaged citizens.
“His success underscores the vital importance of supporting world language students and
programs across Roanoke County Public Schools as we continue to prepare students for the
demands of a diverse and global future.”
Braeden was unable to attend the meeting, because of band obligations (he is also Marching
Band Corps Commander), but he did address the School Board members via FaceTime, thanking
them for helping to provide the “best experience of my life, an incredible life-changing
experience.”
