The Valley AFC U11 Boys Green team. Photo courtesy of Jenna Harris

The Valley AFC U11 Boys Green team won the Colonial Cup Tournament in Richmond over Memorial Day Weekend.

Pictured in the back row are Caleb Hollingsworth (from left), David Tompkins, Colin Ewers, coach Britt Richardson, Wes Givens, Ethan Harris, and Jacob Lanning. In the front row are Zach Durham (from left), Gavin Simpson, Kyle Wood, Sam Levine, Jack Green, and Luke Johnston.

– Submitted by Jenna Harris

Several North Cross School students have received exceptional honors for participating in unique extra-curricular activities in the fine arts, state government and national athletic competitions.

Submitted by Tammy Shank, North Cross School.

Read on for the full stories. Read more »

Hidden Valley baseball defeated Bassett 11-8 on Wednesday in the regionals and now advances to a regional title game tonight in Salem against Cave Spring.

Jon Fleming has this photo gallery from Hidden Valley; we have photos from Cave Spring coming later.

Do you have photos involving Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

The Cave Spring girls soccer team came up short against Salem in the regional semi-finals on Wednesday.

T.J. Witten has this photo gallery of the action.

Do you have photos from around Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012, employees of the Roanoke County Police Department were recognized by Acting Chief Terrell Holbrook and their peers for their outstanding work in 2011.

Ms. M. Graboyes – Civilian Employee of the Year
Officer D. Hogan – Lifesaving Award
Sergeant J. Matze – Lifesaving Award
Sergeant D. Cromer – Leadership Award
Officer B. Newton – Uniform Division Officer of the Year
Officer S. Chuyka – Special Operations Officer of the Year
Officer D. Bruch – Uniform Rookie of the Year
Detective T. Kincaid – Criminal Investigation Officer of the Year and Roanoke County Police Officer of the Year
Unable to attend: Officer R. Moore – Lifesaving Award

– Submitted by Roanoke County

On Wednesday, May 16, fifth graders at North Cross School showcased their knowledge in scientific research for the Fifth Grade’s 5th Annual Science Fair. North Cross School is one of the few schools in the Roanoke Valley area that holds a science fair on the elementary level.

Students have been working diligently for many months with a requirement to turn in some aspect of the project every two weeks. Students are presented with packets as early as the beginning of October and are required to give weekly progress reports on their projects thereafter with the final research being presented in May at the science fair held at the school.

“I felt prepared thanks to my teacher, Mrs. Wright. She gave us great support,” said Isabel Baynum, a fifth grader whose project was on the effect of water on plant root growth. The fair is used to help students develop advanced research skills and establish the ability to articulate their findings through presentation.

“I’m very excited about my project; I chose something that truly interests me. Hopefully everyone enjoys my project as much as I enjoyed researching and preparing it,” Ann Ashley Daniel stated about her creative hypothesis on different brands of feed on a horse’s preference, which she tested on her own horses. Ann’s project will be showcased at Southern States.

Other projects included how different colors affect the speed of mice traveling through a maze, the effect of earthworms on the growth of plants, the effect of age on a person’s ability to remember, different cleaning agents to remove stains, and many more unique topics.

Students who participated include Emily Allara, William Barton, Olivia Bloch, Maddy Bradley, Charlie Card, Ann Ashley Daniel, Tanner Davis, Ross Funderburke, Marc Judge, Lilly Kemper, Ben Kessel, Isa Kevorkian, Rennee Leger, Audrey Lemon, Andrew Lorens, Claudia Morgan, Harry Pearson, Ethan Philpott, John Miles Quinn, Davis Alcorn, Isabel Baynum, Andy Benson, Mitchell Boone, Chadd Brenner, Dominique Chapman, Ruth Emily Daily, Emmy Graham, Maverick Helmer, Nalin Jha, Sophia Kelley, Elliott Kennard, Meredith McGimsey, Cabell Moskal, Arisha Suhel, Jackson Walker, Grace Wenk, Grace Whitesell, and Victoria Riego de Dios.

Submitted by Tammy Shank.

From the Roanoke County website:

Roanoke County’s summer recreation program guide is now available at recreation centers and public libraries. Look for your copy in the mail this week. County residents may register online starting Saturday, June 2. Phone and walk-in registration starts Monday, June 4 for residents. Registration is open for EVERYONE on Wednesday, June 5.

The Baynes posted the following update to their website on Monday, May 28. Click here to visit the site.

We met again with our Dr’s from Duke last week. Kendall had a pulmonary function test and we discussed our options moving forward. Because her lungs have been operated on, she is experiencing some shortness of breath. Our Dr. has encouraged her to get her lungs in shape and working to their full potential. Depending on our next scans later this summer, we will then make her treatment decisions. Surgery again or begin some type of chemo/biological treatment. Until then, its time for her to be a teenager and enjoy the summer (Dr’s orders). Thank you all for the continued love and support. We really appreciate all the help and prayers. God Bless, Love Team Kendall.

David Dodson. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Dodson

David Dodson, a senior at Cave Spring High School, won the River Ridge District singles tennis tournament May 16. David beat Blacksburg High School senior Will Coffey 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to clinch the title.

– Submitted by Bonnie Dodson

The Hidden Valley High Archery Club competed in the 2012 NASP National Archery Tournament on May 11 in Louisville, Ky. The Titans were among 7,804 archers from around the nation that helped the National Archery in the School Program and on-site Guinness Book of World Record officials to certify the tournament as the “World’s Largest.”

The Titans achieved a team score of 3,141, ranking them 91st in the nation out of 126 high schools participating. Sophomore Evan Kosko was on target at both the 10m and 15m rounds, hitting 20 bull’s-eyes out of 30 total arrows, and earning a national ranking of 75/7,804, a high school ranking of 56/1353, and a grade ranking of 12th in the nation!

Congratulations to all of the Titan archers for a job well done! We would like to send a huge thank-you shout-out to Bojangles and our parents for your continued support. Onward to Worlds…Titans on Target!

– Submitted by coach Kim Stevens