Here are the Hidden Valley High School spring sports team photos for the 2011-2012 school year. Photos are courtesy of Lifetouch.

Cave Spring High School spring sports photos coming soon!

Here are some shots of flowers that were blooming in early spring at Happy Hollow Gardens. For more information about the park (perhaps for a good weekend hike, as this was), see Roanoke County’s page about it here.

Share your spring photos of people, scenery, or both: here’s how.

In longstanding tradition (this year makes 30 years, according to Roanoke County Public Schools Community Relations Specialist Chuck Lionberger), Student Council Association (SCA) members at Hidden Valley Middle School held a mock trial at the Roanoke County Circuit Court Building on Tuesday, March 20.

Members of the court community, including Judge William Broadhurst, attorneys John Fishwick and Aaron Lavinder and Deputy Stan McMillion, volunteered their time on Tuesday to hear three mock cases involving a firearm on school property, an incident of assault with a lunchbox and drug sales on school property.

Coordinated by social studies teacher Tara McBride, the students got to see first hand what it feels like to be involved in those incidents. Students acted as witnesses for both the prosecution and the defense. Assistant Principal Michael Riley and School Resource Officer Todd Cunningham also testified in the mock cases.

Participation in the mock trial is only open to eighth graders at Hidden Valley Middle School, an honor for which some students wait anxiously through two years.

Photo courtesy of Christine Modafferi

The Robot Thumbs (Eve Garry, Liam Williams, Hannah Mandell, Josh Mandell, and Emma Rogers) perform their improv skit at the regional Destination Imagination tournament in Crozet, Virginia. The team will progress to the state tournament Saturday, March 31.

Submitted by Christine Modafferi.

In 39 days, I will be walking 39.3 miles in the fight against breast cancer! Please support me with a donation of $39!

I am also having a fundraiser this weekend:

FUNDRAISER: SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 9am-2pm

PENN FOREST WORSHIP CENTER

3735 Chaparral Drive SW, Roanoke

-Vendors-Avon-Thirty One-Happy Cakes Designs-Silpada-Phoenix TradingCards–Mary Kay-Tastefully Simple-Willow House-Peaceful Treasures–The Goose Beary Shop-Initial Outfitters-Origami Owl-Pampered Chef–Scentsy-Stella & Dot-Flags with a Message-Baked Goods Sale – Egg Hunt –Lawn Games and More!

Submitted by Kellie Mirasola

Here is the the performance list for Saturday’s 5th Annual Knights Track Classic held at Cave Spring High School’s brand new Track and Field Complex. This is the largest meet in the five year history with over 40 high schools participating.

Project 50 has finally finished and allowed the school an opportunity to host meets. It has only taken a little over nine years to finish this project which began the fundraiser with a transcontinental run from San Francisco to Roanoke back in the summer of 2003.

Thanks again for all your support and we look forward to hosting many meets for years to come!

Keep reading for the performance list. Read more »

“It’s Our Prom” Cave Spring and Hidden Valley fashion show is Thursday April 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the HVHS auditorium.

Admission is $5 to benefit each school’s After Prom. The fashion show will showcase gorgeous gowns from Bride’s House and Patinas and tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse!

This is a great event for all ages!

Submitted by Sarah Flint, Roanoke Valley Prevention Council.

Join area companies organizing walks, or host your own!

Research indicates that American jobs have become dangerously more sedentary, and walking is the single most effective way for many sedentary Americans to establish and continue a healthy lifestyle to improve their heart health.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, sponsor of My Heart. My Life. Roanoke, is challenging Roanoke companies, organizations and families to get out and walk April 4 and take their first steps toward a longer and healthier life. Several Roanoke companies are already demonstrating their commitment to a healthy work environment and are encouraging employees to wear their sneakers to work and take walks during the day.

Organize your own walk, or join us at the American Heart Association:

• Where: American Heart Association (4504 Starkey Rd.) next Roanoke Athletic Club
• When: Noon on Wednesday, April 4
• What: Participants will walk around the South Park office park campus, joining thousands of people participating in National Walking Day and making a commitment to increased activity. We’ll be distributing Start! walking kits for companies, door prizes, Roanoke Athletic Club passes, bottled water and portable electronic carrying cases to let you stay in touch while you walk!
• Who: Ally Bowersock, Ph.D.,CSCS, Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science at Jefferson College of Health Sciences, will share tips on how to start an individualized fitness program.

“Anthem is very pleased to be participating in National Walking Day,” said Burke King, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia. “We value the health and well-being of our employees, and we’re thrilled to encourage healthy behavior in our workplace. I hope many area companies will join us by putting on their sneakers and walking at work on April 4.”

Walking has many proven health benefits. In fact, adults may gain as much as two hours of life expectancy for each hour of regular, vigorous exercise–like very brisk walking–even if they don’t begin exercising until middle age.

“Nearly 70 percent of adults get no regular physical activity,” said Mark Dempsey, Vice-President, Appalachian Power Company and 2012 Roanoke Heart Walk Chairman. “Yet contrary to common perceptions, physical activity is just as important in preventing heart disease as other modifiable risk factors including smoking, cholesterol and blood pressure.”

My Heart. My Life.  is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY® Restaurants and locally by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. For more information, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org/start.

Submitted by Michelle Nostheide, American Heart Association.

Love sushi? Learn to make it at home.

From the Roanoke County website:

Roanoke County is offering several new sushi workshops next week, at Brambleton Center on Tuesday, April 3, Green Ridge Recreation Center on Wednesday, April 4 and a couples workshop April 11. Find out how easy it is to prepare your favorite dishes at home.

Click here to register online for the April 3 program.

Miss Tiffany Jasmine Blassingame, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Tawanna Blassingame of Christiansburg, has been selected finalist for Virginia’s 32nd Annual Homecoming Queen Selection to be held on March 31, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood in Roanoke, Va.

She is the Christiansburg High School Homecoming Queen. Virginia’s 2012 Homecoming Queen will receive a cash scholarship plus an all expense paid trip to the National Fields to compete with the queens from the other states for America’s Homecoming Queen. America’s Homecoming Queen Inc. is a non-profit organization promoting education, educational travel and community service in all fifty states.

Tiffany will also be competing for Virignia’s favorite homecoming queen. You can vote for her for Virginia’s favorite homecoming queen at www.americashomecomingqueen.com.

Submitted by Tawanna Blassingame.