Former Hidden Valley runner Barrette LeHardy took first place in the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving morning — and Hidden Valley cross country coach Dan King took second place in his age group.

Jeff Cutright shares this photo gallery.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

Katie Sadler, Sydney Odenwelder, Kim McDow, Elizabeth Burke, Taylor Peery, Stephen Bernys, Kaylee Fewox, Hannah Miko. Emily Flora SWoCo

Hidden Valley High School has found a new way to award their students for being upstanding in school and in the community by creating a campaign called HV Live It. At the beginning of this school year announcements were made and posters were set up around school advertising HV Live It, giving students the opportunity to sign up for the program. Out of about 1,200 students, about 300 students signed up, pledging to remain in good standing at school and in the community.

Resource Officer Jason Taylor came up with the idea for HV Live It after attending a YADAPP Leadership Conference. The program was called the Red Watch Project, but Taylor used the idea to make it special to Hidden Valley. And it’s quickly become a collaboration with not just the students, but the teachers, PTSO, Coaches, and Booster Clubs.

“The question was, how do we recognize all the kids for what they do and have good character,” Taylor said.”A lot of people are involved in it and its about just doing the right thing. I’d feel good to say that over 90 percent of our students do what they are supposed to and we just need to be sure we recognize them.”

As part of HV Live It, Taylor, Bonnie Rourke, and Claudia Liechty, work together to check in on the students selected by checking with their teachers to ensure they are in good standing in their classroom, turning in homework and keeping up with their grades. Taylor also checks his system to make sure they haven’t had any run ins with discipline or the administration, and they must have good attendance.

HV Live It is based on good citizenship, being respectful, committing to doing no drugs or alcohol, and do your work to the best of your ability. If everything checks out, that student becomes Student of the Week and gets their name announced over the announcements, put on the web page, published in the newsletter, on the school sign, and a written letter to their parents congratulating them. They also get to choose a prize from the prize box.

“This is just a do the best you can type of thing,” Rourke aid.

The HV Live It Campaign works closely with the HV Prevention Council and the Roanoke County Prevention Council because they are asking students to do things that aren’t risky and make healthy decisions. Taylor said that when the idea was brought to Nancy Hans with the Roanoke County Prevention Council, she gladly donated arm bands, sweat bands, and t-shirts as prizes for those who are chose as student of the week.

Another aspect of HV Live It is Athlete of the Week. Student athletes were encouraged to talk with their coaches about participating and was totally by choice of the athletes. At the end of each week, the coaches can submit one name per team to Taylor and to Chris Morris, the athletic director, who then chooses the student with good standing. Those athletes who participate receives a Titan Sweatband with a “T” on it and as a prize the athletes receive a HV Live It t-shirt and a prize from the prize box.

And Hidden Valley hopes to continue HV Live It in the future.

“This is the kind of thing we want to make a Hidden Valley tradition,” Rourke said.

Student of the Week Winners:

Kathleen Sadler, Kaylee Fewox, Hannah Miko, Taylor Peery, Sydney Odenwelder, Stephen Bernys

Player of the Wee Winners:

Kim McDow, Sarah Patterson, Liz Burke, Hunter Williams

During a recent School Board meeting parents spoke up about the grading scale for Roanoke County. Parents are asking the school board to vote to change the grading scale from its current seven point grading scale to a 10 point grading scale. It is argued that students are currently at a disadvantage when applying to colleges, because many school are not aware of the difference in the grading scale for Roanoke County and that by changing the scale, students will have more options for higher education.

It was also brought up that by changing the grading scale for Roanoke County Public Schools, it will then be in line with the grading scales at area colleges and that will help with admissions and scholarships in schools.

Roanoke County Education Association President Tammy Wood said that the association polled the division’s teachers and found that 72 percent of them were in favor of the ten point scale. Read more »

About 12 years ago, Jennifer Mallare became a widow after her husband died of lung cancer. But she didn’t let that get her down over the holidays. Instead she started the tradition of the Friendship Gathering. Although the last Friendship Gathering which was normally held every year, hasn’t happened for a few years, friends Jenny Ayers, Joelle Henry, and Nadya Sinn are bringing it back.

“Jennifer believes that what is important is getting together with your friends during the holidays,” Ayers said.

She said the Friendship Gathering started out as a small group that raised money during their party for the Bradley Free Clinic. They also gave money away to individuals over the years who are in need.

“Everyone donates money and we give it away,” she said. “It’s just a feel good event.”

We’re not talking a few hundred dollars, we’re talking a couple thousand dollars. Read more »

The Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) held its annual Summit Awards Gala Nov. 18 at Hotel Roanoke, recognizing outstanding work in the field of public relations for the past year.  A total of 26 gold or silver Summit Award in various categories were presented.

The chapter presented a special award, the Compass Award, to Dr. Vince Hazleton, APR, Fellow PRSA, in recognition of his work to advance the profession of public relations.  Dr. Hazleton is a professor of public relations at Radford University and has worked for years to promote public relations on a national level.

“Winning a Summit Award is a great distinction that measures the hallmarks of public relations: research, planning, execution and results,” said chapter president Thomas Becher, APR.  “Each category is highly competitive and is a great tribute to the outstanding public relations work done in our region every year.”

This year’s Summit Awards were judged by the Rochester, N.Y., chapter of PRSA.

Below are the gold and silver Summit Award winners. Read more »

New River Valley and Roanoke Valley (November 24, 2010) – Ray Tuck, D.C., of Tuck Chiropractic Clinics, announced that all eleven Tuck Chiropractic Clinics conducted successful food drives during the month of November.  The food collected from this Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive was donated to local food pantries and emergency assistance organizations in the local communities of the New River and Roanoke Valleys.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our patients, friends, and our staff members, “stated Dr. Ray Tuck.  “Our food donations came from clinics in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Fairlawn, Pulaski, Galax, Hillsville, Rocky Mount, Vinton, Peters Creek, Cave Spring, and Bedford.  All donations of food supplies and full meals were made to assist families in need during this holiday season.”

The mission of the Tuck Chiropractic Clinic is to be the leader in providing quality chiropractic care in order to facilitate healthier lives within the communities served by the clinics.  The Clinic’s strong commitment to the community is essential in furthering our goal to make a significant, positive impact on as many lives as possible.  To learn more about Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, visit us online at www.tuckclinic.com.

Submitted by: Suzanne K. Barnette

Jeff Cutright shares this photo gallery of Hidden Valley runners at the Nike Southeast Regionals in Cary, N.C. on Saturday.

Two Hidden Valley runners — Annie LeHardy and Haley Cutright — qualified for the national meet in Portland. LeHardy finished second and Cutright fourth overall.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com?

Back again by popular demand …. an evening of reminiscing, food, networking, fellowship and fun.  We look forward to seeing you all again…our current and former “hikers”, alumnae, resource folks, mentors and other “helpers”.

This is a great time to “catch up” with your friends from the past seasons of Back on the Path and to meet the new class.  It’s a wonderful time, too, for the new ones to hear the success stories and get new positive perspectives on their job search.

And, it really means a lot to us…so won’t you please join us for this very special night?  We look forward to seeing you all Tuesday, Decedmber 14, 2010.

Tuesday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Cave Spring United Methodist Church

Submitted by: Al Colgrove

The Roanoke County School Board voted 3-0 this morning to purchase property on Ranchcrest Drive to relocate the entrance to Cave Spring Middle School.

Courtney Cutright of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

Cave Spring football put up quite a fight with mighty Richlands, but wound up on the short end Friday night, falling in the playoffs 36-23.

T.J. Witten shares this photo gallery from a cold night in Tazewell County.

Do you have news or photos  involving people or events from Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.