William Byrd High School has announced its Terriers of the Month for September
2025—students and staff. Teachers/staff nominate students for the honor; students nominate
faculty and staff members.
Students chosen as Terriers of the Month—the first group of the year—include Nikolas Lopez,
Lucas Partleton, Zachary Camden, Carter Gray, Joshua Hale, Jacob Spradlin, Heidi Dixon, Ellie
Ruble, Morgan Belcher, Ryan Bell, Kamryn Oxendine, Jakeem Toler, and Abigail Saritelli.
Saritelli, Morgan Belcher, Zachary Camden, Jacob Spradlin, Ellie Ruble, Heidi Dixon, and
Kamryn Oxendine; back row, Matt Crizer from ALCOVA, Carter Gray, Jakeem Toler, Joshua
Hale, Ryan Bell, and Nikolas Lopez. Lucas Partleton is not pictured. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Faculty and staff members honored in September include Matt Bartley, Chris Steuart, Laury
Ward, Olivia Body, Barbara McGrath, Sharon Foster, Jill Harris, Katie Hetherington, Harrison
Lionberger, Kevin Tuck, Lauren Pearson, Krista Martin, Randy Bush, and Ashton Eubank.
Ward, Katie Hetherington, Sharon Foster, Lauren Pearson, Olivia Body, Ashton Eubank, and
Randy Bush; and back row, Matt Crizer from ALCOVA, Kevin Tuck, Chris Stuart, Harrison
Lionberger, Jill Harris, Barbara McGrath, and Krista Martin. Matt Bartley is not pictured.
All WBHS students and staff may nominate individuals who they believe exhibit the “Terrier
Way” (being safe, respectful, responsible, and embodying the best of WBHS).
Two years ago, prior to the 2023-24 school year, ALCOVA Mortgage in Vinton and its branch
manager Matt Crizer (a WBHS graduate) reached out to Byrd, looking for a way “to honor
students and teachers who are doing great things in and out of the classroom.” They came up
with a Terrier of the Month program.
Students receive media recognitions, a Terrier of the Month T-shirt, and a postcard home from
the teacher who nominated them explaining why they were honored. The T-shirts are designed
each year through a competition in the graphic design classes of art instructor, Alicia Spangler.
The program is facilitated by Asst. Principal Kevin Richardson and Life Counselor Lauren
Pomeroy.
