By Debbie Adams
William Byrd High School seniors in the Class of 2024 were recognized at the annual Honors
Banquet and Scholarship Ceremony on April 25 at the school.
A crowd of about 400 students and their families, School Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely and
School Board representative Tim Greenway, along with those who came to present scholarships
were welcomed by Principal Tammy Newcomb. She recognized Greenway for his role in the
Renovation and Expansion Project at WBHS.
Two seniors received the coveted Best All-Around Award—Claire Glover and Israel Hairston.
This award is based on academic success, good character, and investment in the school and
community through a variety of academic and extracurricular activities. The selection is
determined by faculty nomination and vote. The award comes with a scholarship.
Glover were named Best All-Around Male and Best All-Around Female for the William Byrd
Class of 2024 at the Honors Banquet and Scholarship Ceremony on April 25. (photos by Debbie Adams)
The tradition is to build suspense by describing the winner, without naming them, until the end
of the presenter’s speech.
Kathryn Sowers from the GFWC Vinton Woman’s Club presented Glover with the Best All-
Around Female award.
Sowers described Glover as a “self-disciplined and highly motivated high school student with a
strong work ethic in and out of the classroom. She has strong organizational abilities with proven
successes managing multiple academic projects, athletics, and volunteering. Being well-rounded
and recognized for strong leadership skills along with consistently exemplifying kindness and
respect towards peers and adults makes her the choice for this award.
“She is an honor student with a 4.28 GPA and in addition to her studies she works part-time,
volunteers at the Rescue Mission and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Selected to be
William Byrd’s HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth) Leadership Seminar in Ashland, Va., she returned
to Vinton and presented a program to the Vinton Woman’s Club. Just to let you know, her
speech was shared with the Virginia HOBY organization and all 124 GFWC Virginia clubs.
“Sports have been a large part of her life and include serving as captain of the cross country team
serving in 2023 and as part of the Blue Ridge District and All-Region Team. She served as
captain of the girls soccer team in 2024 and was chosen for the district and region teams. And just so she would not become bored, she is a member of the Virginia United Travel Soccer
Roanoke team.
“She is a member of the LEO, Reindeer, Beta Clubs and a founding member of the Young Life
Vinton Program and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.”
Jeff Mason from the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club presented the award for Best All-Around Male
to Hairston.
“This young man held a 4.16 GPA in high school while taking Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Enrollment
classes and was on the A or A/B Honor Roll every nine weeks during his high school career,”
Mason said.
“He is a member of the Beta Club. He is active in his church where he has served as a volunteer
and junior deacon. He has also volunteered in many programs from collecting and distributing
clothes, toys, and non-perishable food for the Rescue Mission, Turning Point, the Salvation
Army, and the Brian Center. He has been active in the community by volunteering with
community rec leagues and many other programs. He has been the William Byrd quarterback for
most of the last four years, earning All-District, All-Region, All-State and local media honors as
well as being team captain. He also won All-Region defensive honors as a senior as a defensive
back. He played basketball throughout his high school career as well. He plans to attend Virginia
Tech this fall. He was also crowned Homecoming King.
Assistant Principal Phillip Martin presented several awards to outstanding students, including:
Top Terrier—Olaedo Anyanwu (This student is nominated by students and elected by the
faculty and “best exemplifies the qualities of integrity, loyalty, courage of character, and serves
as a role model for everyone. They value education and the traditions of the school.”)
Dog Pound Leaders—Kate Bryant and Brenin Witcher (These students are nominated and
elected by the senior class to lead the Dog Pound student spirit section at events.)
Blue Ridge Academic Awards for the highest GPA and most awarded school letters: Wyatte
Bailey, Dexter Gaines, Sydney Blewett, Claire Glover, and Olaedo Anyanwu
Sydney Blewett, Dexter Gaines, Olaedo Anyanwu, and Wyatte Bailey won the Blue Ridge
Academic Awards for 2024 for the highest GPA and most awarded school letters.
B’Nai Brith awards for WBHS—Emma Kageals and Israel Hairston (The B’Nai Brith awards
are given each year to a male and female winner from among 19 high schools in the Roanoke
Valley—the “Heisman trophy” of high school awards. The award is based on athletic success
(40%), academic success (40%), and community service (20%). Kageals and Hairston will
compete against the other 19 schools for the prestigious award.)
Each department at WBHS selects one outstanding senior who maintains good academic
standards, displays good character, and contributes constructively to the class, department, and
school—another coveted award. This award is determined by a vote of the faculty in the
department and revealed on the night of the awards assembly.
This year’s Department Award recipients included:
- Art Dept.—Gretchen Kinney
- Band—Griffin Yakob
- English—Shiloh Markwith
- FACS—Jovie Underwood
- French—Tyler Morrison
- German—Zachary James
- Latin—Emily Sowers
- Marketing—Reagan Lilley
- Math–Dexter Gaines
- Physical Education—Ian Burnett
- Science—Emma Kageals
- Social Studies—Dominic Dulak
- Spanish—Makenna Jacobsen
- Technology Education—Mason Teehan
- Yearbook—Natalie Blevins and Carter Dullaghan
The following scholarships were also awarded during the evening:
PTSO Scholarships: Milla Farrington, Claire Glover, Israel Hairston, Jack Hinkle, Tyler
Morrison, presented by PTSO President Kori Webb
Dr. Charlie J. “Jay” Lovelace III Memorial Scholarships: Elizabeth Dixon and Claire
Glover, presented by Charlie and Carolee Lovelace in memory of their son Jay. Recipients must
be members of Vinton Baptist Church.
Erica Thomas Memorial Scholarship: Claire Glover and Addisyn St. Clair, presented by the
Thomas family in memory of their daughter, Erica, a 1999 honor graduate of William Byrd.
Arnold R. Burton Scholarship: Wyatte Bailey and Alexandra Bonilla, presented by Coach Paul
Barnard to honor former WBHS Principal Arnold R. Burton
Reindeer Club Scholarships: Emmerson Abshire, Olaedo Anyanwu, Eva Brown, Kate Bryant,
Elizabeth Dixon, and Emily Tuck, presented by Len Hale
Wallace Cundiff Memorial Scholarships: Israel Hairston, Emma Kageals, Sawyer Harris,
presented by Jeff Mason in memory of Wallace Cundiff, a beloved member of the Vinton
community, a School Board member, and a lifelong Lions Club member.
Vinton Breakfast Lions Club Scholarship: Claire Glover, presented by Jeff Mason
Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship: Sawyer Harris, presented by Chief Eric
Stump and Lt. Cody Southers
Air Force Math and Science Award: Griffin Yakob, presented by Sgt. Nicholas Countess,
USAF
Mike Shepherd Memorial Scholarship: Ian Burnett, Noah Thompson, Keller Spraker, Doniven
Davis, Dexter Gaines, Elliott Gaines, Julian Pantoja, Lane Shoemaker, John Kiker, Brayden Andrews, Dominic Dulak, Bricen Lancaster, Ian Vest, Cooper Minnix, and Israel Hairston, presented by the Shepherd family in memory of baseball coach Mike Shepherd
Dr. Herbert L. Keaton Memorial Scholarship: Seth Elmore, presented by Chris Keaton in
memory of Dr. Herbert Keaton, Vinton’s first optometrist, who “loved education and never
stopped learning.”
Dee Graybill Memorial Baseball Scholarship: Israel Hairston, presented by Scott Graybill in
honor of his mother, Dee Graybill
RCPS Education Foundation Scholarships, presented by Chuck Lionberger, representing the
RCPS Education Foundation:
- Carilion Clinic Research: Jenny Nguyen
- Kip Nininger Scholarship #2: Makenna Jacobsen
- Education Foundation Golf Scholarship from Southern Team Auto: Griffin Yakob
RCPS Education Foundation Scholarships, presented by Tammy Newcomb:
- Herman L. Horn Elementary PTA Scholarship: Emily Tuck
- LaCole Board Memorial Scholarship: Israel Hairston
- Robert A. Patterson Memorial Scholarship: Kate Bryant
- Vinton McDonald’s Scholarship: Karli Stephenson
- Quincy Development Scholarship: Claire Glover
Stovall-Page Scholarship: Elizabeth Dixon and Claire Glover, presented by the Page and
Stovall families in memory of Raymond Eugene Page and Joseph William Stovall, both
graduates of WBHS and lifelong members of Vinton Baptist Church. Mr. Page made the first
WBHS class ring.
Vinton Woman’s Club Scholarship: Emma Kageals, presented by Vicky Newbern. Newbern
described Kageals, “who seemed to do it all” during her high school years, and “will make a
positive impact on this world.” She participated in track and field, competing in hurdling and
jumping. She holds the record for long jump at William Byrd. She has been involved in
competition cheerleading and sideline cheerleading, serving as captain. She will be attending
Virginia Tech next year on a pre-Med track. She is a member of the Beta Club and vice president
of the Leo Club, a member of the SCA, and a volunteer at Carilion Clinic and Jill’s Buddy Camp
for children with developmental disabilities. She has been employed at T.J. Maxx, at Tree-top
Quest as a zip-line guide, and at Carilion as a health care associate.
Some 60 students were recognized as valedictorians and presented individually with their
Valedictorian Certificate, stole, and Honor Graduate tassel indicating they have achieved a GPA
of 4.0 or higher during their high school years. Many of the valedictorians also received
Advanced Study Diploma pins, Beta Club pins, and Beta Club cords (indicating completion of
volunteer hours).
William Byrd valedictorians as of May 2 include Sarah Addo, Erin Adkins, Olaedo Anyanwu,
Wyatte Bailey, Ashley Begasse, Jaslyn Bibby, Natalie Blevins, Sydney Blewett, Alexandra
Bonilla, Eva Brown, Ian Burnett, Nathan Carter, Hernan Cataneo-Luna, Emily Cook, Elizabeth
Dixon, Dominic Dulak, Carter Dullaghan, Landon Dyess, Phoenix Eanes, Aidan Eline, Noah
Franks, Dexter Gaines, Elliott Gaines, Claire Glover, Israel Hairston, Joshua Hardy, Britton
Harnish, Sawyer Harris, Jack Hinkle, Aiden Hundley, Makenna Jacobsen, Zachary James, Emma
Kageals, Alexis LaBarbera, Thaddeus Lilley, Shiloh Markwith, Payton Martin, Emma Miller,
Sean Minnix, Abigail Moats, Tanner Montgomery, Tyler Morrison, Jenny Nguyen, Tracy
Nguyen, Kallie Niday, Emily Sowers, Keller Spraker, Samantha Start, Addisyn St. Clair, Finley
Stephens, Karli Stephenson, Johnathan Teague, Kayli Thompson, Kenny Trang, Emily Tuck,
Madelyn Ward, Ashley Woods, Griffin Yakob, and Elizabeth Young.
About 60 students were also recognized as Distinguished Honor Graduates with GPAs of 3.75 or
higher. Each received an Honor Graduate gold tassel; some also received Advanced Studies
Diploma pins, Beta Club pins and Beta Club cords (for volunteer service).
Distinguished Honor Graduates for 2024 include Emmerson Abshire, Dakota Adams, Brooklyn
Arven, Noah Austin, Beau Brady, Terran Brown, Kathryn Bryant, Sydney Bunce, Abigail Bush,
Makynna Byrd, Landon Caldwell, Logan Carpenter, Alexandra Chaney, Zachary Claybrook,
Madelyn Davis, Anibeth Dixon, Mandolin Draper, Seth Elmore, Kadence Fernatt, Samantha
Flippen, Lance Freedle, Savannah Gibson, Reid Hanson, Kaliyah Harris, Autumn Hicks, Donald
Hodges, Taryn Hodges, Michael Hoyos, Andrew Kiker, John Kiker, Gretchen Kinney, Keila
Leonel-Castro, Reagan Lilley, Andrew Lindsay, Landon Lorton, Katelyn Lucas, Steven Matar,
Allyson Mavredes, Brayden McCulloch, Adam Megdadi, Gracie Mick, Cooper Minnix, Kaylee
Mitchell, Madison Montgomery, Hannah O’Brien, Nicole Posadas, Lane Shoemaker, Benjamin
Sink, Dominic-Nasir Smith, Mason Teehan, Noah Thompson, Jovie Underwood, Chloe Varney,
Nathaniel Vaughn, Ian Vest, Alexis Ware, Madison White, Meghan White, Brenin Witcher, and
Grayson Workman.
