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Two students from Roanoke were among 217 graduates who received their degrees during Bryan College’s 84th commencement service May 5. During graduation services, the college conferred 27 Master of Business Administration degrees, 67 Bachelor of Arts degrees and 125 Bachelor of Science degrees. Two graduates received both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Students graduating included:

• Ryan Anderson, son of Gary and Susan Anderson, of Roanoke, VA, received the Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and government.
• Joshua Beard, son of Scott and Leigh Beard, of Roanoke, VA, received the Bachelor of Arts degree, with highest honors, in psychology.

Submitted by Bryan College.

The following Washington and Lee students from Roanoke have earned honor roll status for the recently ended winter 2012 term:

Hillary Cooper, of Roanoke, VA, a member of the class of 2014
Robert Day, of Roanoke, VA, a member of the class of 2012
Catherine Shelor, of Roanoke, VA, a member of the class of 2012

Honor roll status at W&L represents a term grade average of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.

– Submitted by Washington & Lee University

Thomas Becher, APR with awards given out May 16 in Richmond. Photo courtesy of Thomas Becher, The Becher Agency.

The Becher Agency (tba) won best of show at the 2012 Virginia Public Relations Awards.

The agency was recognized with two awards for its work with the City of Roanoke to create and promote the Eat for Education initiative – an award of excellence in community relations and best of show for public relations programs.

The award program was hosted by the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Eat for Education is a program to encourage people to dine in or take out from restaurants in the city in support of a two-year increase in the meals tax. The tax, set to expire June 30, is projected to bring in $9.5 million for the city’s public schools, with the additional funds instrumental in helping all of the city’s schools become accredited.

“What an honor for an agency in Roanoke to win this statewide competition,” said Thomas Becher, APR, president [and Southwest Roanoke County resident].  “We’re delighted that, in partnership with the City of Roanoke, we were able to demonstrate results and create a model program for creativity in difficult fiscal times.”

Submitted by Thomas Becher, The Becher Agency.

Submitted by Lora Trout.

Josh Waagmeester of the Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department shares these photos and says:

The Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department and Buffalo Wild Wings held a fundraising event Saturday, May 12.  The event “Eat Wings. Raise Funds. It Pays” was sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings Tanglewood and donated 15 percent of all pre-taxed food sales to the fire department.

The Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department would like to say “THANK YOU” to everyone that joined us during our event and being our partner in providing for our volunteers and helping to make this a better community. The Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department relies heavily on our community to help us so we can be there for you. Donations provide the funding that we need to equip our volunteers with protective gear, state-of-the-art equipment and training.

Thanks, Josh!

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Carla Poff, volleyball coach at Hidden Valley High School shares the following information about an upcoming volleyball camp at the school. Interested players can register anytime before the camp or at the first session. Cost per participant is $175.

swoco_HVHSvolleycamp_0601

Months of teamwork combined with very creative brainpower have brought success to four Roanoke Destination ImagiNation teams, three teams from Oak Grove Elementary School and one from Hidden Valley Middle School. Their efforts at the affiliate (state) tournament held on March 31 in Crozet, Va. have earned them the right to take part in the challenge of a lifetime at the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals in May.

“The kids, teachers and parents have put in the time and effort to make this a possibility and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Cristina Flippen, Principal at Oak Grove Elementary School. “Destination ImagiNation is a superb program that has helped our children grow in so many ways.”

The four advancing Roanoke County teams, along with approximately 300 other participants from Virginia, will represent the state at the DI Global Finals.

The Global Finals will be held May 22-26 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.  All 50 states, the District of Columbia, ten Canadian provinces, and 30 countries will be represented including Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Ecuador, England, Guatemala, India, South Korea, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Scotland, Singapore, Trinidad, Turkey and Venezuela.

Each year in the fall, Destination ImagiNation’s creative problem solving experts brainstorm and issue seven complicated and complex challenges designed to test the teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking skills of the pre-K to university-level students around the world who participate in DI programs. Destination ImagiNation’s creative problem solving challenges comply with National Education Standards. They are designed by a staff of educators and other professionals who have helped millions of young people enhance their critical thinking skills in a fun and nurturing team setting since DI was founded almost 30 years ago.

For more information on Destination ImagiNation, visit www.idodi.org. For more information on DI Global Finals, visit www.globalfinals.org.

Submitted by Fara Blankenship.

Hidden Valley High School will play host to several athletic camps this summer. Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism is sponsoring one baseball camp and two basketball camps in June.

Baseball

From the Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism site:

Did your son enjoy the recreation baseball season but wanted it to never end? If so we have the perfect camp that will allow them to spend a week with an area varsity baseball team improving their baseball skills. Each camper will be instructed on the basics of hitting, fielding, pitching and base running with special attention paid to proper fundamentals. Ages 6-12. Fee: Early Bird $70. Regular $75.

The camp is scheduled for Monday through Thursday, June 18-21 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The fee is $75; course number is 20065.

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Boys Basketball

From the Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism site:

Does your child love basketball or have aspirations to play middle school basketball? If so, we provide the perfect opportunity for them to spend a week with area varsity basketball teams honing the skills they will need to play organized basketball. Campers will be instructed on the basics of shooting, dribbling, and defending with special attention paid to proper fundamentals. This popular camp always fills up early so don’t delay with your registration! Ages 6-13. Fee: Early Bird $70. Regular $75.

This camp is scheduled for Monday through Thursday, June 11-14 from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $75; course number is 20059.

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Girls Basketball

From the Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism site:

Are you looking for positive female role models for your daughter? If so, send your daughter to Roanoke County’s GIRLS ONLY basketball camp lead by an area varsity girls basketball coaching staff and several college and high school players. Campers will experience the same level of coaching as our popular basketball camp but in a comfortable environment where they can experience and learn the fundamentals of the game. Ages 6 – 13. Fee: Early Bird $70. Regular $75.

This camp is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, June 18-20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $75; course number is 20061.

Wendy Shaffer of Carilion Clinic shares the following information about their May events.

Read on for the full list. Read more »

From Roanoke County: