By Debbie Adams
William Byrd Middle School held its annual Eighth Grade Awards Assembly on May 23 to
recognize students who will be graduating with the Class of 2029 and their many achievements.
“Terrier Scholars” who have maintained All A’s at WBMS from sixth grade through the first
semester of their eighth grade year were recognized including: Ace Adkins, Tabitha Allen,
Alexander Ashwell, Lola Barbour, Grant Bartley, Addison Bradford, Madison Brigdon, Garrett
Brunk, Peyton Childress, Avery Chitwood, Carston Dibenedetto, Reid Divers, Claire Draper,
McKinley Edberg, Kayden Gibson, Jaxon Glatt, Landon Hagy, Alyssa Harless, Marygann
Jenkins, Caroline Johnson, Briggs Kotz, Ashlynn Lovern, Melissa Madonna, Lixi Martinez-
Maldonado, Ella McReynolds, Corinne Michalski, Layna Miller, Sophia Nester, David Pham,
Madelynn Ray, Maxwell Reeves, Isabella Shropshire, Khyler Wagoner, Isabella Wertz, and
Carlie Zimmerman.
through the first semester of eighth grade.
The prestigious Levi Freeman Awards were presented to Ace Adkins and Carlee Akers this year.
This award goes to two students who, in the opinion of the faculty, best embody the
characteristics of kindness, compassion, honesty, tolerance, and the willingness to do the right
thing even when it’s not popular. This award is in memory of Levi Freeman, a fellow eighth
grade student at WBMS whose life was tragically cut short after a diagnosis of bone cancer. Levi
“loved music, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and would have been a 2020
graduate of William Byrd High School. His memory lives on through his family, friends, and this
award.” Coincidentally, Carlee’s brother Michael won the Levi Freeman Award last year.
Principal Abby Barnes, Ace’s father Daniel Adkins, Ace Adkins, mother Katy Adkins, and
Counseling Coordinator Lubeth Jones. (photos by Debbie Adams)
father Joey Akers, mother Hilarie Akers, Carlee Akers, and brother Michael Akers.
Teachers nominated students for Highest Achievement Awards in core subjects.
Highest Achievement Awards in English were presented to Grant Bartley, Payten Childress,
Avery Chitwood, Dakoda Downs, Claire Draper, Katelyn Howell, Zachary Ingram, Marygann Jenkins, Caroline Johnson, William Linkenhoker, Lixi Martinez Maldonado, Ella McReynolds,
David Pham, Colton Stiltner, and Paylin Waldron.
Students recognized for Highest Achievement Awards in Math were Carlee Akers, Laylah
Austin, Grant Bartley, Addison Bradford, Madison Brigdon, McKinley Edberg, Kayden Gibson,
Madelynn Huffman, Marygann Jenkins, Caroline Johnson, Cale Meador, Corinne Michalski,
Genevieve Nault, Marley Poindexter, Maya Potter, Madelynn Ray, Colton Stiltner, and Caitlyn
Young.
Highest Achievement Awards in Science were presented to Lola Barbour, Madison Brigdon,
Cameron Crowe, Carston Dibenedetto, Claire Draper, Izaih Duncan, Julissa Garcia, Kayden
Gibson, Tenley Hardifer, Marygann Jenkins, Caroline Johnson, Briggs Kotz, Ella McReynolds,
Vanessa Mullen, Madilyn Overstreet, Justin Underwood, Caitlyn Young, and Carlie
Zimmerman.
Social Studies Highest Achievement Award winners included Yousef Alrefai, Grant Bartley,
Madison Brigdon, Alexander Dolan, Remington Duncan, Julissa Garcia, Tenley Hardifer,
Marygann Jenkins, Ella McReynolds, Layna Miller, Caitlyn Young, and Rylan Young.
The President’s Awards for Educational Excellence were presented to those students who
maintained a 3.5 GPA from sixth grade through the first semester of their eighth grade year: Ace
Adkins, Addison Bradford, Alaura Overstreet, Alexander Ashwell, Alexander Dolan, Alyssa
Harless, Ashlynn Lovern, Ashlynn Doss, Avery Chitwood, Ayriana Huff, Brayden Furrown,
Briggs Kotz, Brogan Jordan, Brooke Lomax, Bryce Moding, Caitlyn Young, Cale Meador,
Calvin Chen, Carlie Zimmerman, Carolina Johnson, Carston Dibenedetto, Carter Gray, Chase
Madonna, Claire Draper, Cohen Gill, Colten Carter, Cooper Butrym, Cora Shell, Corinne
Michalski, Dakoda Downs, David Pham, Drayven English, Eliana Colwell, Elizabeth Ball, Ella
McReynolds, Elyshah Ball, Emily Robtison, Emma Boyd, Ethan Camper, Evan Scott, Gabriel
Hindenlang, Gage Clark, Garrett Brunk, Genevieve Nault, Grady Morck, Grayson Davis, Iris
Dudley, Isabella Wertz, Isabella Shropshire, Izaih Duncan, Jack Williams, Jackson Johnson,
Jackson Henderson, Jacob Spradlin, Jaxon Glatt, Jaxon O’Neill, Jaxon Eline, Jayden Omiyo,
Jayden Beasley, Jayden Ferris, Jeffery Gill, Joshua Hale, Joshua C. Williams, Joshua J.
Williams, Josiah Wright, Julissa Garcia, Justin Underwood, Kaitlin Clark, Karla Brumback,
Katelynn Howell, Katie Alamirano Diaz, Kayden Gibson, Kelly Dixon, Kendall Adams,
Kennedi Shifflett, Kenzy Kendall, Khyler Wagoner, Kori Carter, Kyler Martin, Laykn Austin,
Lallie Hannabass, Landon Hagy, London Dolan, Laylah Austin, Layna Miller, Lena Fairtrace,
Lillian Duncan, Lixi Martinez Maldonado, Lola Barbour, Macie Fields, Madelyn Huffman,
Madilyn Overstreet, Madison Brigdon, Madison Gordon, Mahkenna Ramsey, Makenzie
LaPradd, Marley Poindexter, Marygann Jenkins, Mason Moses, Mason Labinski, Maxwell
Reeves, Maya Potter, McKinley Edberg, Melissa Madonna, Mia Johnson, Michael Dixon,
Miriam Moore, Natalie Onwi, Oliver Moore, Olivia Strassburg, Paylin Waldron, Payten
Childress, Philip Nguyen, Rafe Smith, Raylend Agee, Reid Divers, Robert Campbell, Ryan Bell,
Rylan Lang, Ryleigh Fisher, Savannah Chassereau, Savannah Chattin, Serenity Cassell, Silas
Marhsall Emma, Sofia Butler, Sophia Nester, Tabitha Allen, Talon Ray, Temperance Whorley,
Tenley Hardifer, Tristan Blevins, Vanessa Mullen, Violeta Ramirez, Vishva Patel, Wesley Wilson, William Linkenhoker, William Muddiman, Zachary Ingram, Zachary Camden, and Zoe
LaRose.
Ace Adkins and Mason Labinski were recognized as Student Advisory Council Representatives
during the awards ceremony, along with WBMS Ambassadors Ace Adkins, Emma Boyd,
Madison Brigdon, Reid Divers, Mike Dixon, McKinley Edberg, Josh Hale, Briggs Kotz, Ella
McReynolds, Vanessa Mullen, Grady Morck, Bella Shropshire, and Jack Williams.
Science Fair winners in the WBMS Science Fair were: first place, Marygann Jenkins; second
place, Reid Divers; and third place, Caroline Johnson.
Marygann Jenkins won second place in the Roanoke County Science Fair. She also won the
prestigious Office of Naval Research Science & Technology Award in regional competition.
WBMS Band Awards included:
- Most Improved: Dakoda Downs
- Most Outstanding: Avery Chitwood
- Directors Award: Julissa Garcia
- All District Band: Drayven English, Elizabeth Ball, Julissa Garcia, Paylin Waldron, Josh
Williams, and Mason Moses - All County Band: Mariam Moore, Jayden Ferris, Avery Chitwood, Nathan Rowberg,
Dakoda Downs, Olivia Strassburg, Julissa Garcia, Lixi Maldonado, Mason Moses, Paylin
Waldron, Katelynn Howell, Jaxon Eline, Elizabeth Ball, Cale Meador, Ace Adkins,
Brooke Lomax, Tabitha Allen, Cameron Crowe, Sophia Nester, Nyah Rutherford,
Grayson Bell, and Grant Muddiman.
Choir Awards included:
- All Virginia Choir: Marygann Jenkins
- All District Choir: Marygann Jenkins, Claire Draper and Ely Ball
- Section Awards: Oliver Moore and Laykn Austin
- Choir MVP: Claire Draper
- Spirit of Choir: Ayriana Huff and Rylan Lang
Students who participated in the Fall Art Show at Central Office were introduced: Cora Shell,
Tylieanne Nunley, Baze Wright, Rylan Long, Maurkese Burnette, Bryce Moding, Kamryn
Oxendine, and Justin Underwood.
Students with artwork on display at Our Daily Bread include Carlee Akers, Sienna Burkus
Landis, Kingsley Conner, Nyankor Gon, Isaiah Ide, Kazerian Mack, Bryce Moding, Lacey
Russell, Blayne Salyers, and Adam Sink.
Participants in the Summer Art Show recognized include Lacey Russell, Rylan Lang, ZyQuan
Austin, Sofia Butler, Elijah Dooley, Kayden Gibson, Oscar Hernandez, and Zumira Howard.
Carson DiBenetto was honored by the PE Dept. for breaking his own record for the one-mile run.
He challenged and pushed himself to accomplish something special and ran a sub-five-minute
mile this year.
Ella McReynolds was recognized for being admitted to the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School
Program beginning next fall as a freshman.
Several students were also admitted to the Burton Center for Arts &Technology as freshmen:
- Mass Communications: Grant Bartley, Cameron Crowe, Claire Draper, Nyah Rutherford,
and Bella Shropshire. - Visual Arts: Avery Chitwood, Katelynn Howell, Alaura Overstreet, and Madelynn Ray.
Engineering: Ace Adkins - Other Burton Programs: Colten Carter, Kori Carter, Serenity Cassell, Savannah
Chassereau, Jaxon Eline, Jayde Ferris, Jack Henderson, Ayriana Huff, Nathen Hurley,
Keileb Jimenez Garcia, DJ Kelly, Kingston Lees, Cale Meador, Kamryn Oxendine,
Ethan Thiel, Paylin Waldron, Bella Wertz, HMolden White, Temperance Whorley, Joshua C. Williams, and Gavin Wintz.
Students on the A Honor Roll for the first three quarters of their eighth grade year were
recognized: Ace Adkins, Tabitha Allen, Alexander Ashwell, Lola Barbour, Grant Bartley,
Addison Bradford, Madison Brigdon, Garrett Brunk, Payten Childress, Avery Chitwood, Carston
DiBenedetto, Reid Divers, Claire Draper, McKinley Edberg, Julisssa Garcia, Kayden Gibson,
Jaxon Glatt, Landon Hagy, Alyssa Harless, Marygann Jenkins, Caroline Johnson, Briggs Kotz,
Brooke Lomax, Ashlynn Lovern, Melissa Madonna, Lixi Martinez Maldonaldo, Sophia Nester,
Ella McReyolds, Corinne Michalski, Layna Miller, David Pham, Madelynn Ray, Maxwell
Reeves, Isabella Shropshire, Khyler Wagoner, Jack Williams, and Carlie Zimmerman.
Students on the A/B Honor Roll for the first three quarters of their eighth grade year include:
Alaura Overstreet, Brogan Jordan, Calvin Chen, Cameron Crowe, Chase Madonna, Cohen Gill,
Cooper Butrym, Dakoda Downs, Drayven English, Emily Robtison, Gabriel Hindenlang,
Genevieve Nault, Jackson Johnson, Jayden Ferris, Jeffrey Gill, Joshua C. Williams, Joshua J.
Williams, Kaitlin Clark, Karla Brumback, Katelynn Howell, Kendall Adams, Kenzy Kendall,
Kyler Martin, Lallie Hannabass, Madilyn Overstreet, Madison Gordon, Mahkenna Ramsey,
Makenzie LaPradd, Marley Poindexter, Mason Labinski, Maya Potter, Michael Dixon, Oliver
Moore, Paylin Waldron, Rylan Long, Serenity Cassell, Silas Marshall Emma, Tristan Blevins,
Vanessa Mullen, Violeta Ramirez, Wesley Wilson, William Muddiman, and Zachary Camden.
The assembly wrapped up with some fun Senior Superlatives awarded by a vote of their peers:
- Kaitlin Clark and Ace Adkins were named as “Best All Around” by their classmates.
- Best Hair Grady Morck and Vanessa Mullen
- Best Smile: Adam Sink and Rylan Long
- Funniest: Will Churchill and Savannah Chassereau
- Most Musical—band: Drayven English and Julissa Garcia
- Most Musical—choir: Elyjah Ball and Claire Draper
- Most Artistic: Jayden Ferris and Avery Chitwood
- Most Likely to Become President: David Pham and Ella McReynolds
- Most addicted to Starbucks: Kenzy Kendall and Ryan Bell
- Most Likely to Become a Tik Tok Star: Jaxon Glatt and Laykn Austin
- Most Likely to Become Instagram Famous: Nami Shively and Cameron Nelms
- Everyone’s Friend: Reid Divers and Payten Childress
- Most Likely to Become a Teacher: Grant Bartley and Elizabeth Ball
- Most Likely to be Found Reading: Zach Ingram and Madilyn Overstreet
- Most Likely to Become an Olympian: Natalie Onwi and Carston Dibenedetto
- Most likely to Cheer you Up: Brogan Jordan and Ryleigh Fisher
- Most school spirited: Emma Boyd and Mason Labinski
- Most Athletic: Zach Taylor and Carlie Zimmerman
- Best Duo Friendship Male: Briggs Kotz and Josh Hale
- Best Duo Friendship Female: Kelly Dixon and Kennedi Shifflett
WBMS Principal Evan Noell told the eighth graders that he was extremely proud of them all and
all they have accomplished. He commented that he hopes to be handing them their high school
diplomas in 2029, as he will be moving to the high school with them, serving as principal of
WBHS.
Administrative Assistant in Counseling Gloria Harris facilitated the ceremony. Assistant
Principal Abby Barnes and Counseling Coordinator Lubeth Johnson announced the awards.
