Salem High School principal John Hall expects great things from his school. The standard of excellence at Salem High School is part of a longstanding culture–one that has been instilled in its students and staff for over 30 years.

Hall has been an administrator in the Salem High School building for 33 years, he said, and has been acting as principal since 1987. At the end of the school year, he will accept a new challenge: retirement. Hall is understandably a little worried about how he will transition.

“I’ve never not worked since I was 14 years old,” he said. “I’m apprehensive about that.”

But he’s confident that whoever steps up to fill his role will have an easy time maintaining the culture already at Salem High School. (It was announced Wednesday, Feb. 27, that assistant principal Scott Habeeb will become principal effective July 1, 2013.)

“The culture of the building is strong enough, between the staff and the students,” Hall said.

And Hall is personally responsible for much of that strength.

“I’ve had a hand in recommending every [staff member] in the building except one—Ray Moore [one of SHS's English teachers] who came over from Andrew Lewis High School,” Hall said. “I can also observe that the average age of the staff has gone down considerably.” He says many of his teachers are in their upper 20s.

“That’s a huge advantage because you get a lot of energy, as long as you can keep your culture,” he said.

Hall is proud of his work to create that culture by making changes to the curriculum that came from Andrew Lewis High School. He recalls a time he spoke directly with Dr. Ronald E. Carrier, former president at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. One of Hall’s students was not accepted to JMU—the student was the editor of the school newspaper, which had just won a national award.

During their conversation, Carrier told Hall that the Salem senior had been rejected because Salem High School students generally only have two college level courses under their belts by the time they’re ready to enter college.

Hall guaranteed Carrier that for the next school year, Salem High School would offer five college level courses.

“And we did,” he said.

Additionally, Carrier accepted the SHS senior on the spot after having spoken with Hall.

Two years after adding several new college level courses, Salem High School became a member of International Baccalaureate (IB)–and the second school in Virginia to do so, according to Hall. Almost immediately after that, they began teaching dual enrollment courses in conjunction with Virginia Western Community College, Hall said.

Salem High School assumed “very aggressive” college level course offerings in order “to satisfy schools that require college level courses,” Hall said. This push for higher level education opportunities at the school remains part of Hall’s high standard of excellence and the culture at Salem High School. That culture is very clearly one of the most important things to Hall. As principal, he has cultivated a positive and supportive environment for his students and staff.

“I’m not worried about what other high schools have, but I know that climate is here,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being good, and bragging modestly.” And he and his staff are sure to tell their students when they’re doing well–at any opportunity. Hall wants his students to feel pride in their accomplishments. After all, he does!

“I have to be proud of staying this long. I really do,” Hall said. “It never occurred to me I’d retire.”

As for what’s on his plate next, Hall said he hadn’t “carved that one out yet.” He already does a lot of volunteer work with his church—and he expects to do even more with his free time.

“Some of this I’ll have to feel out a little,” Hall said. He and his wife Linda, a fifth-grade teacher at South Salem Elementary School who will also be retiring at the end of the year, plan to travel. “Linda has a bucket list of places to see,” Hall said.

“Mr. Hall will be participating in our Retirement: Extended Work Incentive Program (REWIP) so that his successor and the division will have ongoing access to Mr. Hall’s proven experience and expertise,” said Mike Stevens, Director of Communications for the City of Salem. The program is in place as a way to help with the transition to retirement—and to help the employees get accustomed to downsizing in salary, according to Hall. Retiring administrators work 25 days a year for five years.

Assistant principal Scott Habeeb will take the reins at Salem High School in the new school year. Read more about his appointment here.

My daughter, Taylor Petty, who is an IB art student at Salem High School won the best mixed media award at the SPCA Best in Show charity art show last Friday night.

Submitted by Angie Petty

Del. Greg Habeeb

I want to let you know about my upcoming Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in the Board of Supervisor’s room at the Roanoke County Administration Center.

The meeting is open to all citizens of the 8th District.  I will discuss my legislation, issues addressed during the General Assembly session and take questions from attendees.

I’m looking forward to speaking face to face with whoever can attend.  Town hall meetings help me get feed-back from my constituents.  I have pledged to be accessible to all voters, no matter their political affiliation, and this town hall is part of my ongoing commitment to fulfilling that pledge.

The town hall meeting will last approximately one hour.  You can also ask questions by sending an e-mail to my legislative aide, Erik Rison at Erik@greghabeeb.com.

The Roanoke County Administration Center is located at 5204 Bernard Drive, SW in Roanoke County.

If you have any questions, please contact Erik Rison by calling 540-915-2962 or e-mailing erik@greghabeeb.com.

Submitted by Greg Habeeb

Eric Thomas Gordon. Photo courtesy of Barbara Krzysko

Eric Thomas Gordon, son of Eric and Alice Gordon, celebrated his 6th birthday with family and friends. His birthday was Feb. 14. A boy can’t have too many cars, so we added to his collection.

– Submitted by Barbara Krzysko

Camp Roanoke would like to invite you and your family to join us for a hike along the Spring Hollow Reservoir. This is a light to moderate hike with opportunities for bird watching (bring your binoculars), picture taking and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The reservoir is closed to the general public, so you don’t want to miss this great opportunity to explore the beauty it has to offer. Please bring a bag lunch and water. Space is limited to 15 people. Advance registration required. Hike begins at 11:00am.

Click here to register.

Submitted by Roanoke County

Tyler Beasley of Salem was one of the many Huntington University students to shine at the Fort Wayne ADDY Awards on Feb. 16.

This annual competition recognizes advertising creative excellence from students and local advertising and media professionals. Entries are judged on creativity, originality and creative strategy.

Beasley, a senior film production major, received gold in the Elements of Advertising – Visual, Cinematography category for “The Fort Wayne Ballet” and silver in the Elements of Advertising – Visual, Illustration, Single category for “Gingersnap.”

“We are so proud of our students who pour themselves into their films and animations. This is a terrific way to celebrate their art and accomplishments,” said Dr. Lance Clark, professor of digital media arts film and communication. “Our digital media arts program is really getting a reputation for excellence.”

The Student ADDY Awards Competition is a unique national awards program designed specifically for college students. Work entered at the local level can move up to the regional and national judging.

Visit www.foresterfilms.com/addys to view all the wining films and animations from Huntington University.

– Submitted by Huntington University

SWOP (South Western Organizational Partners) has teamed up with Mill Mountain Zoo, to host a fundraiser at the Salem Library on Sunday, March 17 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the zoo, recently in the news due to a need of additional revenue for operational expense.

At this event, more than 25 vendors will pay a fee that will go to the zoo 100 percent (as long as I can confirm a sponsorship for the printer). Many vendors, if not every, will donate a portion of their sales/commission also to the zoo. We will have a mixture of direct sales vendors and services, as well as handcrafted items and maybe even a snack vendor or two (still waiting on confirmation of all).

We will have a basket raffle with a mixture of donated goods from many of the vendors, as well as a giveaway for the shoppers of a family membership to the zoo ($150 value). Mill Mountain Zoo will also have a representative there to talk to visitors about all the different programs, camps, parties and membership opportunities.

– Submitted by Darlene Napier

You can find a Facebook link here.

The Roanoke Valley Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will meet at Mill Mountain Coffee on Main Street in Salem on the fourth Tuesdays of the month — Tender Tuesdays – -from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is an informal get-together for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents who have experienced the loss of a child, sibling or grandchild from whatever cause. We understand how difficult if can be to start socializing after the death of your loved one. Please come and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in a friendly, warm atmosphere! You need not walk alone.

– Submitted by Sherry Cameron-Cox

Annie Lin shares these photos and writes:

A friend, Jane Parker from face book, sent me an invitation to the Katie’s Place Farm on Saturday, October 27, 2012. I called Amy to get permission to do my Tai-Chi demonstration there. Amy said I can come at 1:00pm and costume contest is at 2pm. I missed the turn, but I finally found a lovely place -Katie Place Farm.

There were goats, lamas, pony ride, live music, and a truck carriage around the farm. Everyone enjoyed my Tai-Chi demo. At 2 pm, there were age 5 under, age5 older groups for the costume contest. Do you believe it or not? Amy called Jerry’s name. He won best costume. Amy gave a gift to him. You will see his smiling face in my pictures. Thank you Amy.

We had never been to Kite’s Place Farm, but we got over there and I saw special need people and families, some I already knew. I bought two Katie’s Place Farm T-shirts for Jerry and me. When we went inside to buy food, a guy asked Jerry. Do you want chili on hot dog. Jerry waved his sword and “PIRATES SAY YO-HO-HO!” (the mean is Yes)

We just like Katie’s Place Farm. I hope they are doing well. Happy Halloween!!!

After we left Katie’s Place Farm, I went to the Awful Arthur’s Restaurant in Salem for my Tai-chi demon. at 5 pm. The DJ played my CD for my performance. They were Trick-or-Treating. We did not stay, I left after my performance, I heard people clapping hands for me.

What’s the best summer camp for kids in Salem?

That’s one of the ten new categories we’ve added to the 5th annual Best of Salem reader poll.

What will win there? Feel free to chat up your nominations in the comment field below, just remember to actually cast a vote!

You can find the ballot here or in the “best of” banner at the top of the page. (If you’re reading this on a mobile device, you may need to click through to the “full site” to get it to display.)

The voting ends at midnight on Sunday, March 10 and we’ll publish the results on April 19.

Want to promote your business or civic group? You can download free promotional materials at roanoke.com/bestof.

Don’t see a category that fits what you want to vote for? You can always cast a vote in “best thing not on this list!”

Here’s who won in 2012 and 2011 and 2010 and 2009.

Got friends in other places? We also have “best of” reader polls going on in Botetourt County, Southwest Roanoke County and the New River Valley.