By Debbie Adams
Members of the William Byrd High School Class of 2023 who participate in football, band/color guard, cheerleading, and cross country were recognized prior to the football game on October 28 during Senior Recognition Night. They were accompanied to the track by members of their family and introduced individually.
Terrier football players were introduced included:
Dillon Anderson (#13) has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He is the son of Dustin and Courtney Anderson and was escorted by his parents and his brother Blake. Dillon plans to attend college to study Business and Entrepreneurship with plans to open his own company.
Jacob Dickerson (#22) (William Byrd football program, four years) was escorted by his parents, Tom and Cindy Dickerson. Jacob is also a member of the Byrd basketball and baseball teams as well as a member of DECA and the Student Voice Club. He plans to study Business and Finance in college.
Luis Hernandez (#61) (William Byrd football program, five years) is the son of Laura and Luis Hernandez, who escorted him. He is also a member of Terrier TV and is co-president of the International Club. Luis plans to attend Randolph Macon College and study Criminology.
David Hopkins (#2) (William Byrd football program, three years) was escorted by his parents David and Liezel Hopkins. He is also a member of the Byrd baseball team. Davian plans to major in physical therapy in college.
Alex Reamey (#43) (William Byrd football program, four years) was escorted by his parents Kevin and Dana Reamey. He is also a member of the Byrd wrestling team. He plans to attend college after graduation.
Dustin Richards (#44) (William Byrd football program, six years) was escorted by his parents John and Christie Richards. He is also a member of the William Byrd wrestling team, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and a Beta Club member. He plans to attend college and play football.
Caleb Thompson (#52) (William Byrd football program, six years) was escorted by his parents, Mike and Beth Thompson. He is also a member of the William Byrd Track team, as well as the DECA Club, the FCA, and the National Beta Club. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in Finance.
Nate Williamson (#60) (William Byrd football program, three years) was escorted by his parents, Nick and Stephanie Williamson. He is also a member of the William Byrd outdoor track team. He plans to attend Radford University.
Cheer:
Mikayla Belanger (William Byrd cheerleading program, six years) is the daughter of William and Lori Belanger. On Senior Recognition Night, she was escorted by her father, grandmother Peggy Furrow, and special family friend Melissa Graham. Mikayla is also a member of the William Byrd Beta Club and the DECA Club. She plans to attend Radford University and major in nursing.
Casi Carawan (William Byrd sideline and competition cheerleading programs, four years) is the daughter of Jim and Lorrie Carawan, who escorted her along with her brothers Cody and Caleb. Casi is also a member of the FCA, Beta Club, International Club, National Honor Society, and the Student Voice Club. She plans to study Business Management and Real Estate at Virginia Tech.
Makayla Collins (William Byrd cheerleading program, four years) is the daughter of Jonathon Collins and Tonya Polumbo. She was escorted by her father and her grandmother Diane Polumbo. She is also a member of the Beta Club, FCCLA, and DECA clubs at Byrd. She plans to attend Radford University and major in nursing.
Julie Sattah (William Byrd cheerleading program, seven years) was escorted by her parents Zack and Lina Sattah, and her sisters Vanessa and Celia. Julie is also a member of the William Byrd Competition Cheer team. She plans to attend James Madison University and major in Biology to study medicine.
Band/Color Guard:
Jacob Blevins (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) is the son of Brian Blevins and Holly Daniels. He was escorted by his mother and father, his stepfather Jack Daniels, and stepmother Lori Blevins. He is also a member of the William Byrd Beta Club. He plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and major in psychology, film, and editing.
Logan Brown (William Byrd Marching Band program, six years was) escorted by his mother, Rebecca Lea Ashby. Logan plans to attend Virginia Western for two years, then transfer to Virginia Tech to study geography.
Landon Bruner (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Brian and Julie Bruner. Landon plans to attend Virginia Western and major in music production.
Cadin Byrd (William Byrd Marching Band program, six years) was escorted by his parents Terra and Eric Byrd. Cadin plans to attend Roanoke College and major in sports management.
Kyle Colvin (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents James Colvin and Shasta Dooley and his stepmother, Trisha Colvin. He is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology. He plans to attend East Tennessee State University and major in computer science.
Jason Cox (William Byrd Marching Band program, two years) is the son of Danny Cox and Samantha Vanliew—his escorts along with stepmother Gabby and stepfather L.A. He is also a member of the William Byrd Choir, and a Senior in the Center for Performing Arts and Beta Club. He plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Virginia.
Navaeh Carroll (William Byrd Marching Band program, five years) was escorted by her parents Bill and Ashley Caudill. She plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and major in psychology.
Reagan Dillard (Marching Band program at William Byrd, six years) is the daughter of Markas and Shamina Dillard. She is also a member of the Beta Club and Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety. She plans to attend North Carolina A & T and major in mechanical engineering.
Elijah Dillon (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted on Senior Recognition Night by his mother Melissa Dillon. Elijah plans to attend George Mason University and major in computer game design.
Jonathan Farmer (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Truman and Jessica Farmer. After graduation, Jonathan plans to attend James Madison University and major in Business Finance while being a member of JMU’s Marching Royal Dukes and their lacrosse team.
Samuel Ferris (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents David and Cindy Ferris. He is also a member of the William Byrd Concert band. He plans to attend Virginia Western and major in film.
Emily Jones (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by her parents James and Amanda Jones. She plans to attend Radford University and major in Behavioral Profiling.
Ashton Kanode (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Billy and Lucinda Kanode. He is also a member of the William Byrd Beta Club. He plans to major in engineering at Virginia Tech.
Hannah Kemp (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by her parents Terry and Tammy Kemp and her brother Zachary. She is also a member of the FCA, the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir, and Camilla Glazebrook’s Piano Studio. She plans to major in science and music at Virginia Tech.
Sage Kushman (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Jason and Shay Kushman. He is also a member of the William Byrd Beta Club, the Prevention Awareness Club, Pre-Med, Art Club, and National Art Honors Society. Sage plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and major in music, Gender Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
Thomas McGregor (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents James and Pam McGregor. He is also a member of the William Byrd Beta Club. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in Computer Science.
Holly Mills (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by her parents Terry and Terry Mills. Holly is also a member of the Beta Club, Leo Club, and Forensics Club. She plans to major in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech.
Maggie Parkhurst (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by her parents, Chris Parkhurst and Allison Schilling. She is also a member of the Beta Club. Maggie plans to attend college next fall and major in genetics.
Lake Paul has been a member of the William Byrd Marching Band program for seven years. They were escorted by their parents Timothy Paul and Jennifer Mason. Lake is also a member of the William Byrd Knitting and Crocheting Club. Future plans are to attend Randolph College and major in pre-law and psychology.
Latriva Pierce (William Byrd Marching Band, seven years) was escorted by her mother Gina Pierce and her sister Eva Pierce. She is also a member of the Beta Club, International Club, and Forensics Team. Latriva plans to major in creative writing and music performance in college.
Corinna Pittenger (William Byrd Marching Band program, six years) was escorted by her parents Bryan and Claudia Pittenger. She is also a member of the FCA. She is so far undecided about her plans for after graduation.
Jackson Powel (William Byrd Marching Band program, four years) was escorted by his parents Jeff and Kellie Powell. He plans to attend Emory and Henry College to major in kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Kaiden Schuder (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Chris Schuder and Denise Sprouse, along with Maegan Schuder and Timothy Sprouse. He is also a member of the Beta Club. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in Veterinary Medicine.
Xavier Vaughn (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Leonard and Terrisa Vaughn. He is also a member of the Beta Club at WBHS. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in computer science.
Aidan Williams (William Byrd Marching Band program, seven years) was escorted by his parents Steven and Stacy Williams and girlfriend Rylee Black. He is also a member of the William Byrd Choir. He plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and major in computer programming.
Cross Country:
Bethany Beecher (William Byrd Cross Country program, three years) is the daughter of Grant and Amy Beecher. She is also a member of the lacrosse team, as well as the FCA and Beta Club. She plans to attend a four-year university and study either anthropology or Horticultural Studies.
Dakota Bell (William Byrd Cross Country program, five years) was escorted by his parents, Greg and Tamara Bell, and his brother Kyle. He is also a member of the William Byrd Track and Field team. Dakota plans to attend Longwood University and major in biology.
Case Crawford (William Byrd Cross Country program, six years) was escorted by his parents Ken and Sharon Crawford. He is also a member of the track team, Beta Club, and Leo Club. He plans to attend Virginia Tech to study engineering.
Isaiah Gediek is in his first year with the William Byrd Cross Country team. His parents are Karen and Brian Neil.
Olivia Hurd (William Byrd Cross Country program, five years) was escorted by her parents Chris and Taressa Hurd and her brother, Christopher. She is also a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams, the lacrosse team, the FCA, and Beta Club. She plans to continue her academic career studying political science and furthering her athletic career running collegiate cross country and track.
Payton Ramsey (William Byrd Cross Country team, three years) was escorted by her parents Jeff and Courtney Ramsey. She is also a member of the William Byrd Ham Radio Club and the FCCLA. She plans to attend college after graduation. after graduation.
