Grace Boardwine with BBB members

Thirteen Virginia high school seniors have been honored by the BBB Serving Western VA for demonstrating ethics demonstrated through leadership, community service, and overall personal integrity. The Student of Integrity Scholarship Awards Dinner was held on May 1, 2013 at the Shenandoah Club in Roanoke, VA. Thirteen students were recognized at the 10th annual event as being Students of Integrity, and awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

The exceptional students who earned this distinction are:

David Barrett, Stuarts Draft High School

Grace Boardwine, Lord Botetourt High School

Cassidy Coffey, Wilson Memorial High School

Zachary Cook, Virginia High School

Kirsten Dowdy, Eastern Montgomery High School

Jeff Feng, Radford High School

James Frisbie, Wilson Memorial High School

Katharine Hines, Altavista Combined School

Ollie Howie, William Fleming High School

Briana Massaro, Giles High School

Sejal Mistry, Northside High School

Austin Walker, Turner Ashby High School

Clarissa Whitehead, Staunton River High School

“Every year we are honored to recognize these outstanding young men and women,” said Julie Wheeler, CEO and President of BBB serving Western VA. “We believe these students have the character, determination, and personal integrity to become the leaders and mentors for their peers and communities now and in the future.”

The BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship Awards Program was established in 2003 and recognizes students that share a common truth: everything that they say and do represents a choice, and their decisions help to determine the shape of their lives.

Each year, a total of 149 public and non-public high schools within the BBB 32-county service area are invited to participate by selecting their own Students of Integrity to submit entries to the BBB. The program received over 170 entries for consideration in 2013. Since the program’s inception in 2003, the BBB has received nearly 1,200 (1,189) Scholarship Applications from 139 schools, and awarded $84,000 in scholarships to 106 deserving students representing 64 schools throughout Western VA.

–Janet Womack LBHS

Members Gwen Ikenberry, Candace Monaghan, Janice (state womens committee chair), Linda Wickline, Missy Petty and Stacey Reid accepting the Best Project Award.

Gwen Ikenberry, Candace Monaghan, Linda Wickline, Missy Petty and Stacey Reid represented the Botetourt County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Conference March 22-24 in Roanoke.

They joined more than 300 other Farm Bureau women from across Virginia.

This year’s conference theme was “Get Connected—Get Moving.” Participants attended workshops on the history of Farm Bureau; communicating with consumers in a way that relates to them; and how to live a healthier, happier life.

Several county Farm Bureau women’s committees were recognized for outstanding work in 2012. The Essex County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, chaired by Faye Hundley, won the Outstanding Women’s Activity Award. The Botetourt County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, chaired by Linda Wickline, was the runner-up. Read more »

The Zion Hill Baptist Church Relay for Life Team will hold a plant sale on Saturday, May 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the VFW Building on U.S. 220 North. There will be a variety of plants at a cost of only $1 each. There will also be a Yard Sale with much to choose from, as well as a Bake Sale and an All-U-Can Eat Pancake Breakfast.

– Submitted by Bonnie Echols

Botetourt County Service Unit Girl Scouts volunteer leaders. Photo courtesy of Jane Garnett

The volunteer leaders of Botetourt Service Unit Girl Scouts, serving Botetourt County and Montvale, met Thursday, April 18 for Leader Stampede, also known as Leader Appreciation.

The menu consisted of barbeque, baked beans, potato & macaroni salad, pound cake, and of course, Girl Scout cookies. Kelly Fitzgerald and Kristen McNaron were elected as delegates for the annual meeting, with Rosa Lowe and Julie Montgomery as alternates, and outgoing delegates Julie Montgomery, Jennifer Walker and Barbara Fox. Awards were given to the following: ‘It All Started with a Daisy’ to new Daisy Leaders Teanna Ruppel and Rhonda Halsey; the Green Angel Award to Bonnie Norris for a first-time leader; Volunteer Thanks Award to Lana Obenchain, Jill Albers and Robyn Goodman; Product Sales Managers Ruby Taylor and Jennifer Walker; event organizers Cookie Kick-Off Jill Albers, Dad/Daughter Pinewood Derby Lana Obenchain and Robin Meador; 2012 End of the Year Campfire Ruby Taylor, Jennifer Walker, Lana Obenchain, Robin Meador and Barbara Fox; Email Communications Jill Albers, Public Relations Jane Garnett; Ruth Poff and Myla Lester ‘Jumping Right In’ attending a meeting or event jumping right in to help. Tickets were drawn for door prizes.

Pictured are:

Seated: Teanna Ruppel, Lana Obenchain, Jane Garnett, Barbara Fox, Tracy Snyder, Heather Gilliland, Jennifer Coffey

Standing: Denise Neal, Rebecca Brooks, Robin Meador, Lorraine Lester, Jill Albers, Melanie Leweke, Rhonda Halsey, Brandy Gunter, Ruby Taylor, Jennifer Walker, Melanie Shanks, Audra Vanover, Julie Montgomery, Kelly Fitzgerald, Bonnie Norris, Kristin McNaron, Amanda Appicello

– Submitted by Jane Garnett

Sticker Shockers from James River High School: Ms. Thacker, BPC, Carolyn Seymour , Isaiah Allen, Julia Ewen, Amber Tiller, Jessica Simmons and Jamie Talbott JRHS principal at Stop In Buchanan.

Sticker Shock is a youth-led initiative to change adult and youth attitudes about selling and providing alcohol to minors. YOVASO (Youth of Virginia Speaking Out)students at both JRHS and LBHS  participated in “Sticker Shock” on Saturday, April 27. Pictured here are students from James River High School. Sticker Shock was part of the Youth Global Day of Service. Prevention Clubs like YOVASO speak to traffic safety and responsibility within the community. Youth are encouraged to not drink, to drive safely and adults to not provide alcohol or sell to underage drinkers, and to buckle up–all are part of the mantra of YOVASO campaigns.

Sticker Shock had members placing adhesive stickers on cartons and cases of beer and wine at local Botetourt community stores and service stations to remind adults not to buy or sell alcohol to underage drinkers.

Photo courtesy of Teresa Lester

Amber Lester of Eagle Rock donated 11 inches of her hair to Locks of Love for the second time. She had her hair cut at Country Cuttin in Eagle Rock on April 5, 2013. Amber is the 16-year-old daughter of Ronnie and Teresa Lester.

– Submitted by Teresa Lester

Life Saver Award example

On Saturday May 18th Woodman of the World a fraternal organization will present awards for individuals who have either saved a life or have been instrumental in caring about others. Nominations are being sought for the awards in the two categories. Steve Bishop is hoping someone in Botetourt County may have a person in mind.

A few details on the organization are from the website. “Woodmen of the World members share a commitment to family, community and country.  Woodmen of the World helps build strong communities through patriotism, education, community betterment, diversity, and wellness. We’re dedicated to helping others. Woodmen of the World lodges donate money and equipment to police and fire departments, schools and other community organizations. We help families, too. When our members see a neighbor in need, we match their lodge funds, doubling the resources they have to help people in their communities.”

Bishop who is an agent with the organization said simply, “The first award is for some one who has saved the life of another.” The second,  “This is for an individual who assists others in a charitable manner such as driving the elderly to the doctor or providing them with hot meals, or for volunteer work at schools or at hospitals.”

To make a nominations contact Bishop at 540-562-0824 or email him at SGBishopjr@woodmen.org.

Visit www.woodmen.org

Photo courtesy of Jane Garnett

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Botetourt Service Unit, serving Girl Scout Troops in Botetourt and Montvale, are sponsoring an Indoor Yard Sale Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Bag Sale at 1 p.m. – all you can fit in a bag.

The sale will be held, rain or shine, at Troutville Church of the Brethren, 5133 Lee Highway, Troutville. Free parking is available.

Gently used resellable clean items may be donated Thursday, May 2 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. or Friday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Troutville Church of the Brethren.

– Submitted by Jane Garnett

Botetourt Education Foundation with the help of the Botetourt Kiwanis and numerous corporate sponsors held the 5th Annual Swings 4 Schools on April 25 at Ashley Plantation. A sunny but cool day greeted the 27 teams competing for prizes including a hole in one brand new car if a lucky golfer had the right swing. The links were bright and green and full of promise for the educational future of Botetourt County students.

The Botetourt Education Foundation funds numerous projects through out the year. The foundation has added CCAP for the fall of 2013. “The golf tournament is a big fund raiser every year,” said Tommy Moore also a Board member. Kiwanians had box lunches and a dinner that evening from the Homeplace under control as the golfers sped away. Organizers for the fundraising event were Foundation board members Jay Gilliand and Sonny Spickard.

Previous Torch Run featured many from Botetourt Law enforcement and their supporters.– File photo The Botetourt View.

Torch Run Fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics:

Saturday – April 27th 2013 Daleville  Kroger Botetourt Commons

11:30 AM – 4:00 PM

the team will be selling baked goods, Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run hats and t-shirts, icons to “Cover the Cruiser”, & door prize tickets.

http://www.firstgiving.com/torchrunva/Region10-RoanokeValley/teams

“Botetourt County Sheriff’s Department and the Virginia State Police have joined forces for this worthy fundraiser,” said organizer Deputy J.L. Hartman of the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office. Many members of local law enforcement run the Torch from the Botetourt County line to  Montvale. The Date is June 3.

“Each summer, law enforcement officials from across Virginia carry the Flame of Hope on a 1,900 journey to the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games Opening Ceremony in Richmond. This 8-day Torch Run involves more than 2,000 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across Virginia.” –from the website.