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Schools honored for athletics, STEM, apprenticeships and mentorships at board meeting
Summary
The Roanoke County School Board recognized student achievements across athletics, career and technical education, and classroom mentorships, honoring state and regional champions, award winners, and student innovators.
Roanoke County School Board members spent part of the meeting recognizing students, teams and staff from across the division, highlighting athletics, career and technical education, and student innovation.
William Byrd High School presented a spotlight on student activities and service clubs; the board also recognized the William Byrd varsity football team for back‑to‑back regional championships. Coach Lutz and members of the team attended; the coach noted the program’s turnaround from an earlier 0‑9 season, and the senior class’ contributions to playoff wins and championships.
The board recognized Hidden Valley High School’s girls volleyball team for winning back‑to‑back Class 3 state championships. Coach Pierre Ellis and the team were introduced; staff said the squad finished the season 29‑2, produced district and regional honors and multiple all‑state players, and included the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year, Kaylee Pawn (as announced by board members during the meeting).
Burton Center for Arts and Technology staff and students were recognized for several items: Zachian (Zabian) Nelms was honored for acceptance to The Apprentice School (the presenter said the school’s acceptance rate is about 2.8% and that prior program alumni have achieved notable post‑graduation success). Burton’s engineering students were presented as first‑place winners of the Altec Innovation Challenge for a project called TrailSafe, which proposed emergency call boxes for Carvins Cove; the team received a $10,000 award to build call boxes at three locations in spring 2025.
The board also honored Ms. Shannon Norman, a Cave Spring Elementary music teacher, with the 2024 Virginia Tech Outstanding Mentor Award for work as a mentor to student teachers. Board members and a Virginia Tech representative praised Norman’s mentorship and classroom practice.
Student Advisory Council representative Nathan Rogers reported SAC feedback from a Jan. 15 meeting, including vaping‑prevention ideas (anonymous reporting, signage and curriculum modules), and Canvas implementation feedback (85% of students rated the platform excellent or good; about 10% said navigation problems were a consistent issue). Rogers said SAC will meet again on Feb. 5 to review technology topics.
These recognitions and reports were presented across multiple agenda items; no formal board action was required for the presentations, and the board adjourned after receiving updates and acknowledgments.
