By Amber Montgomery, Glenvar High School

The Glenvar community lost one of their own in January when freshman Michael Sandridge passed away from cancer.

Not only was he a member of the school’s football and soccer teams, but he was recognized as a good role model for his peers.

Michael Sandridge

“Michael was a very loyal and friendly person. He got along with everyone and always had a smile on his face,” said Glenvar High School coach and teacher Kevin Clifford. “Michael was very unselfish, as well. When Make a Wish Foundation visited and offered him any wish, he asked for them to purchase new weight equipment for the football weight room. He thought of his teammates ahead of himself.”

Since the loss, the community has come together to keep his memory and fighting spirit alive. The Michael Sandridge Scholarship has been started in his name. The scholarship, available for Glenvar students, is planned to be offered annually beginning in 2014, and the specific criteria for the scholarship have not yet been determined.

And the community support is not stopping at the high school’s doors. To benefit both the scholarship and cancer research, the high school will host the Glenvar Avenger 5K on May 18 as a fundraiser and rally for the community. Read more »

Cave Spring High School students lounge on the sofas in the Knight ‘N’ Day Cafe while enjoying some snacks before the bell rings last week. Photos by Roshni Lalchandani, Cave Spring

Olivia Nepper stops by the Knight ‘N’ Day Café for an iced tea before heading off to class last week.

Photos and story by Roshni Lalchandani, Cave Spring High School

Students used to walk into school every day with a signature coffee cup in hand.

While the caffeine may have helped them get through their early classes, the extra stop on the way to the school could be a hassle.

It’s one of the reasons Cave Spring High School created the Knight ‘N’ Day Cafe, an on-site coffee shop developed by students for students.

The cafe was conceived last year by teacher Terena Hale’s culinary arts class. It started off simple. Each student focused on  a different priority, from making posters to designing a menu.

In addition to chatting over drinks, students can play foosball in the cafe, which is open from 7:45 to 8:20 a.m. on school days.

“It took months of preparation. First we started off slow, buying our ingredients from Kroger. After our first year serving from the indoor concession stands, we were relocated to a large empty classroom,” said Selena Salazar, a junior who works at the cafe.

The move to a classroom took all summer to prepare, but the students agree the more professional and colorful store was worth it. The coffee shop is now filled with couches, student’s art, and room to fit equipment that provides more menu options. “It’s really taken off. We have a lot of drinks and a monthly signature drink, as well,” said Salazar. Read more »

North Cross student Madison Macher won the state Miss Teen International pageant in February. Photo by Adam Mullins Photography

By Mehreen Imam, North Cross School

Madison Macher, a junior at North Cross School, won the state title of Miss Teen International in February. She will go on to compete for the national title in Chicago in July. The pageant helps promote young women’s accomplishments and to help them to become positive role models, according to its website. We sat down recently with Macher to find out more about her success on the pageant stage.

Q. What inspired you to join these competitions?

A. To be honest, I didn’t know much about pageants, or what they were all about. Once I researched about the International system, I fell in love. You meet so many young inspiring women and so many people who support you. You learn about so many organizations, and help those who need your help.

The International system is based on a platform. This is what helped grab my attention. I have been working with Healing Strides for a while, and I wanted to promote this organization. With competing for the title of Miss Teen International, I wanted to raise awareness to therapeutic riding programs across around the world.

Q. What do you think your biggest achievement in competing is?

A. My biggest achievement is raising awareness, educating, and fundraising for my organization Healing Strides Therapeutic Riding Program, and PATH International.

Q. Who are your biggest supporters?

A. My biggest supporters would have to be my family. My mom and dad support me in everything I do, and without them, I would not have the drive to compete. My brothers also support in a way that gets me through those stressful days, with the workouts before school, and the SAT prep and going up to Lexington to ride my horse Julio. I love staying busy, but my brothers support me when I’m stressed, and they keep me grounded and laughing. Read more »

Photo by Jessica Ross, Lord Botetourt High School

By Julia Rogan, Patrick Henry High School

The wind carries the fragrance to my nose.

I inhale deeply, and sigh at the intoxicating sweet smell.

I am blinded by the beauty,

I am amazed at the colors.

I hear the wind tousle these fragile, defenseless beauties.

I lean down to touch a flower.

The petals are like silk against my finger,

the stem is green and strong.

Read more »

Extra measures are being made to ensure safety of students in area high schools. Illustration by Claire Gross, Lord Botetourt High School

By Mehreen Imam, North Cross School

You walk up to the front door of the building, pull out your ID card and touch it to a machine connected to the door. The light on the machine goes green, and the door unlatches for you to enter. You wave to the front-desk secretary, who has been watching you, and proceed to your first class. It’s just another day at North Cross School in Roanoke after several security changes.

As of Feb. 21, each student in middle and high school was given a lanyard with a student ID card, which is used to get into all buildings on the campus. Teachers received their IDs a few weeks earlier. Both must keep their card on their person at all times while on campus, and the majority of building entrances have a machine to read the cards for entry. Student reactions to the added security have been mixed.

“I really like the security changes,” said Hazel Lindahl, a senior. “While some people do not like the idea of it, it’s nice that we have at least some form of security in the school now.”

“I understand that security is a priority, but the key cards are a major hassle,” said junior Evan Schmedtje. “I am always forgetting mine and having to wait out in the cold for another student to let me in.”

All the machines are set on timers, and some students say they get upset because they can’t get back into buildings to retrieve their belongings after sports practices. Read more »

By Scott Bledsoe, Hidden Valley High School

Each day it draws closer; the day of reckoning: April 1.

This is the day where most colleges seem to release their admissions decisions to millions of high school seniors across the nation.

I think it’s humorous that millions of stressed out, anxiety ridden teenagers will find out their future paths on April Fool’s Day.

I’ve thought about it often: Wouldn’t it be cruel if a college sent a letter that started out with a “Congratulations on your acceptance to..” and ended with “April Fools, you were actually rejected.”

Of course that would never happen; at least I don’t think it would. But it’s still funny to think about.

The waiting is tortuous and there are some things that will clue a student into their decision before they know for sure. This may not make sense, but there is truth to it.

If a college sends a decision by e-mail, the subject line will most likely have a distinctively positive word choice, hinting at what’s to come when the email is opened.

And everyone knows about the package size: small and thin means a denial or wait-list; big and fat, an acceptance!

But some friends of mine have received acceptance letters in regular-sized, thin envelopes.

Who knows? The college admissions process seems to be full of mixed signals, emotional strife and (hopefully) happiness in the end…hopefully.

By Alex Moore, Lord Botetourt High School

YouTube is filled with some of the most outrageous videos, ranging from trending dares to recaps of the best moments in TV history.

Broadcasting oneself can be an exceptional way to get information out in the world, or send out shared opinions.

There are many songs and “How To” videos. Some of the oddest videos of animation or catchy originals can become the most popular.

But, there are constant changes in YouTube’s most viewed videos.

The question is, what’s happening now? Everyone wants to know. For those who are consistently trying to find new and up to date videos.

Here they are:

• The top music tracks are from artists like Taylor Swift, David Guetta, One Direction, Guns N’ Roses, Justin Beiber and more top hits.
• In Sports, the focus is placed on the Harlem Shake, a meme that has gone viral. In the video, during the first 15-seconds of the song, a person dances without anyone seemingly noticing. In the next 15-seconds, after the bass drops, the crowd joins in and compulsively dances until the clip is over.
• In gaming, the most popular videos are from games such as Minecraft, Legend of Leagues, Aliens, Call of Duty, NBA2k13, Starcraft, Deadspace and Runscape.
• TV shows  have YouTube channels as well. “The Walking Dead”, a well-liked and known drama is extremely popular on YouTube. “Downton Abbey,”  a British television series set in 1912, and “Once Upon A Time,” another drama putting a strange and unexpected twists on fairy tales also are trending.
• There is a Spotlight section focusing on certain topics or videos. There are Oscar Previews and tributes to Michael Jordon’s 50th birthday. The chain reaction-like trend of Acts of Kindness is now going internet sensational as well. Not only are people demonstrating compassion in the world, but they are recording themselves doing it.

Edge staff member Alexandra Rouse took these photos while vacationing in Upstate New York.

Rouse spent her vacation at a camp site in the middle of the woods with her dad and sister.

Photos and story by Alexandra Rouse, Salem High School

A heavy jacket, sweat pants, a goofy knit hat and snow boats were only some of the items that were in my survival kit for an annual winter vacation to our family’s camp in New York.

No, not the skyscrapers and Times Square New York, but the all natural Upstate New York.

When we arrived to the isolated camp site in the middle of the woods, my dad, sister and I were left alone with four cabins, a main lodge, an outhouse and – more notably – no electricity.

I expected a foot of snow but ended up with just frigid 19 degree weather. Day by day, I grew accustomed to not only sitting on a frozen outhouse toilet seat, but being at peace with the wilderness.

On Day Two in particular, I decided that I needed to escape the grips of Mother Nature’s cold whispers, so I took a walk up the  unpaved road leading into the camp with only my camera in hand. Read more »

By Ciara Mulcahy, Patrick Henry High School

Teen athletes around the Roanoke Valley will get a fresh look at their competition next school year when the Virginia High School League implements a redistricting plan for sports and activities.

The changes, which take effect July 1, have been adopted for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. According to the VHSL, the re-alignment is an effort to reduce travel time, emphasize equity and remove partial advantages.

“Crowds will be bigger for events, as local competition will bring more people,” said Patti Sheedy, athletic director at Patrick Henry High School, which will be part of the new River Ridge District along with Hidden Valley, Cave Spring, Salem, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski County and Carroll County high schools.

“It will be a stronger district than it has been in the past even though they are smaller schools,” Sheedy added.

“I think it will be interesting to see how it all plays out,” said Brody Hicks, a freshman on the Cave Spring boys’ varsity basketball team. “I am not opposed to the change. I don’t know the effects of the redistricting on our game schedule, but I think it will be fun if we have to play teams we haven’t played in the past.” Read more »

Last month, Kevin Duffy, animal care specialist at the Science Museum of Western Virginia, showed visiting children and their parents some of the most interesting creatures at the science museum.

Photos by Blair Thurman, North Cross School