William Byrd Class of 2024 athletes, band members honored at Senior Recognition Night

By Debbie Adams

William Byrd High School seniors in football, golf, cross country, cheerleading, and band were
honored at the football game on Senior Recognition Night Oct. 27. They were accompanied to
the track by members of their families and introduced individually.

Terrier football players introduced included:

Brayden Andrews has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. While at
WBHS, he has run outdoor track and is a member of the FCA and DECA Club. After graduation,
he plans to attend college, play football, and major in business communications. He was escorted
by his parents, Laurel and Ryan Andrews.

Donnie Davis has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also played
lacrosse at Byrd. He is undecided on a college at this point but would like to major in business.
He was escorted by his parents, Shea and Jon Davis, and sisters, Paige and Priscilla.

Lee Doss has been in the William Byrd football program for three years. He plans to attend trade
school after graduation and become an electrician. He was escorted by his parents, Helena and
Phillip Doss.

Dominic Dulak has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also played
lacrosse and is a member of the Beta and DECA Clubs. He plans to attend college and major in
criminal justice. He was escorted by his mother, Mhairi Miller, his grandmother, Joan Miller,
and his sister, Carly Melchers.

Dexter Gaines has been in the football program at William Byrd for seven years. He has also
played soccer and is a member of the Leo and Beta Clubs. He plans to attend the University of
Virginia and study pre-medicine. He was escorted by his mother, Jill Gaines, his father, Mark
Rutherford, and his brother, Elliott.

Elliott Gaines has been in the William Byrd football program for five years. He has also run
indoor track, played soccer, and is a member of the Leo and Beta Clubs. He plans to attend UVA
and study bio-medical engineering. He was escorted by his mother, Jill Gaines, his father, Mark
Rutherford, and his brother, Dexter.

Israel Hairston has been in the football program at William Byrd for six years. He has also
played basketball and baseball. He is a member of the Beta Club, Student Voice, FCA, PTSO,
and Young Life. He plans to attend a four-year university, play football, and major in
engineering. He was escorted by his parents, Keevie and Christopher Hairston.

John Kiker has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also played
lacrosse, participated in track and field, and is a member of the FCA. He plans to attend college
and major in political science or theology. He was escorted by his parents, Tosha and Josh Kiker.

Bricen Lancaster has been in the football program at Byrd for five years. He is a member of the
wrestling team and plays soccer. He is a member of the FCA and Young Life. He plans to attend
college and play football; he is undecided on his major. He was escorted by his parents, Lori and
Chad Lancaster, and his sister, Raelyn.

Cooper Minnix has been in the football program at Byrd for four years. He has also played
baseball, run indoor track, and is a member of the FCA. He plans to attend college and play
football; he is undecided on his major. He was escorted by his parents, Heather and Allen
Minnix, and his brother, Parker.

Julian Pantoja has been in the William Byrd football program for four years. He has also played
lacrosse. He has committed to playing lacrosse at Coker University after graduation. He is
undecided on his major. He was escorted by his grandparents, Kelly and John Kickey, and his
uncle, Nelson Pantoja.

Brady Reachy has been in the football program at William Byrd for two years. He has also run
indoor and outdoor track at Byrd. He plans to attend college, run track, and major in physical
education. He was escorted by his mother, Jenny Reachy.

Lane Shoemaker has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also run
indoor track and is a member of the FCA, Beta, and DECA Clubs. He plans to attend college,
play football, and major in physical therapy. He was escorted by his parents, Christina and Tim
Shoemaker, brother, Kirkland, and sister, Kaley.

Jesse Smith has been in the football program at Byrd for one year. He is also a member of the
Chess Club. He plans to attend trade school after graduation to become an electrician. He was
escorted by his parents, Kimberly and Kerry Weeks.

Josh Stores has been in the football program at William Byrd for three years. He has also run
outdoor track. He plans to attend college and major in sports management and business. He was
escorted by his parents, Allison and Rashard Poindexter.

Ian Vest has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He has also played
lacrosse and is a member of FCA, Young Life, Bible Study, and KFC Club. He plans to attend a four-year university, play lacrosse, and study sports medicine. He was escorted by his parents, Stacie and Jerald Vest, and sister, Mia.

Golf team seniors include:

Beau Brady has been in the William Byrd golf program for one year. He has also played
lacrosse, and is a member of FCA, Young Life, and the DECA Club. He plans to attend Virginia
Tech with an interest in studying finance. He was escorted by his parents, Stephanie and Barry
Brady.

Nathan Carter has been in the William Byrd Golf Club for four years. He has been a member of
the FCA, DECA, and Beta clubs at Byrd. He plans to attend a four-year college. He was escorted
by his parents, Cortnie and Coy Carter.

Seth Elmore has been in the golf program at Byrd for one year. He plans to attend the
University of Virginia and study law. His parents are Elisha and Joel Kirby.

Cross Country athletes include:

Alexandra Bonilla has been in the William Byrd cross country program for three years. She has
also run indoor and outdoor track and is a member of the Leo and Beta Clubs. She plans to attend
college and major in marketing. She was escorted by her mother, Yuly Guacheta.

Elizabeth Dixon has been in the cross country program for three years. She has also run indoor
and outdoor track. She is a Senior Class representative and a member of the SCA and Leo Club.
She plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in mechanical engineering. She was escorted by her
parents, Lori and Chris Dixon.

Reid Hanson has been in the William Byrd cross country program for one year. He has also run
indoor and outdoor track and is a member of the FCA and DECA Club. He plans to attend
Virginia Western for two years and then transfer to Roanoke College to study sports analytics.
He was escorted by his parents, Joy and Chris Hanson.

Reagan Lilly has been a member of the WBHS cross country program for six years, also
running indoor and outdoor track, and is a member of FCA and Young Life. Reagan plans to
attend college and run cross country, and track and field. He was escorted by parents Jamie
Powell and Larry Lilly.

Donald Mullins has been in the cross country program at Byrd for one year. He has also run
indoor and outdoor track. He plans to attend college but is undecided on which one at this time.
His parents are Mercedes and Donald Mullins.

Seniors in the cheerleading program include:

Olaedo Anyanwu has been a member of the WBHS cheerleading program for five years. She
has also run track and field, is a member of the William Byrd High School choir, president of the
Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, and is a member of Speech and Debate, Student Voice, and
the Student Advisory Council. She plans to attend a four-year university to major in chemistry or
computer science. She was escorted by her mother, Chinekwu Anyanwu.

Brooklyn Arven has been in the William Byrd cheerleading program for six years. She has also
run outdoor track and is a member of the Leo Club, Student Advisory Council, and SCA. She
plans to attend a university to earn her law degree. She was escorted by her parents, Roni and
Houston Sutherland, her brother, Ethan Sutherland, and her sister, Ashely Arven.

Emma Kageals has been a member of the William Byrd cheerleading program for six years. She
has also run track and field, is the vice-president of the Leo Club, and a member of the Beta Club
and SCA. She plans to attend a university to major in chemistry. She was escorted by her
parents, Amy and Todd Kageals, and her brother, Cooper.

Lexie LaBarbera has been a member of the William Byrd cheerleading program for five years.
She is a member of the Beta and DECA Clubs and FCA. She plans to attend Virginia Tech and
major in exercise and health sciences. She was escorted by her parents, Teri and A.J. LaBarbera.

Kyra Lane has been a member of the William Byrd cheerleading program for four years. She
plans to study nursing after graduation but is undecided as to where she will attend. She was
escorted by her parents, Stacey and Jason Lane.

Alexis Loughlin has been a member of the William Byrd cheerleading program for seven years.
She is also a member of the WBHS Choir, the Leo Club, SCA, Habitat for Humanity, and FCA.
She plans to attend Virginia Western and then transfer to Virginia Tech to pursue a degree in
neuroscience. She was escorted by her parents, Heather and Miles Loughlin.

Gracie Mick has been a member of the William Byrd cheerleading program for four years. She
has also run indoor and outdoor track and cross country and is a member of the Beta Club. She
plans to attend West Virginia University and major in pre-law and political science. She was
escorted by her parents, Elizabeth and Chas Mick.

Sheradyn O’Neill has been a member of the William Byrd cheerleading program for six years.
She is also a member of the DECA Club. She plans to attend Roanoke College and study
business and marketing. She was escorted by her parents, Shani and John O’Neill, and her
brother, Jaxon.

Ashlynn Thomas has been in the William Byrd cheerleading program for five years. She has
also played tennis and is a member of the International Club. She plans to attend Virginia
Commonwealth University to study physical therapy, while cheering for VCU. Her parents are
Donna Moran and Ryan Fultz.

Band seniors recognized at half-time after their performance included:

Devin Colgan has been a member of the band program at WBHS for two years. After graduation
he plans to “do something with music.” He was escorted by his mother, Mary Patterson, and his
brother, Dillon.

Dillon Colgan has been a member of the band at WBHS for two years. He has also played tennis
and is a captain. He plans to attend Virginia Western for two years while studying, writing, and
performing music. He was escorted by his mother, Mary Patterson, and his brother, Devin.

Aiden Eline has been a member of the William Byrd band program for five years. He is also a
member of the Academic Team. He plans to attend the University of Virginia and major in
architecture. He was escorted by his parents, Tracy and Joe Eline.

Annika Hoagland has been a member of the Byrd band program for seven years. She is also a
member of the Crochet and Knitting Club and the T.T. R.P.G. Club. She plans to take a gap year
after graduation. She was escorted by her parents, Kelly and Jeff Hoagland.

Anibeth Jewel has been in the band program at Byrd for six years. She is a member of the
Knitting and Crocheting Club, ASL Club, and Prism Club. She plans to attend James Madison
University and major in biology with the intention of becoming a botanist. She was escorted by
her mother, Sarah Beth, and her sisters, Bethany Savannah and Kayla Elizabeth.

Matthew Kalb has been in the band program at William Byrd for three years. He plans to attend
Roanoke College, join the Roanoke College Marching Band, and pursue a degree in
microbiology. He was escorted by his parents, Tammy and John Kalb, and his sister, Kristin.

Matthew Klugas has been a member of the William Byrd Marching Band program for three
years, following four years in Oklahoma. He has also been a member of the Stage and Jazz bands
at Byrd. He plans to attend Roanoke College; he is undecided on a major. He was escorted by his
father, Dell Klugas.

Tyler Morrison has been a member of the William Byrd band program for seven years. He is
also a member of the Beta Club, Gifted program, Terrier TV, and the Mass Communication
Program at the Burton Center. He plans to attend Virginia Western and then transfer to Virginia
Tech to study Visual Communications and Creative Technology. He was escorted by his parents,
Jeanne and Dale Morrison.

Brooke Wimmer has been a member of the William Byrd band program for seven years. After
graduation, she plans to attend Virginia Western to study in the EMT program. She was escorted
by her mother, Natalie Ruble, and her mother, Lauren Thomas.

Zepp Shelor has been a member of the William Byrd band program for seven years. He plans to
enter the workforce after graduation. He was escorted by his parents, Kirsten and Barry Shelor.

Griffin Yakob has been a member of the William Byrd Band program for seven years. He has
run track and field and is a member of the Beta Club and Academic Team at Byrd. He plans to
attend college to major in biochemistry. He was escorted by his parents, Kelly and Paul Yakob.

(Please see The Vinton Messenger Facebook page for more photos from the Senior Recognition
Ceremony.)