
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990                   TAG: 9006010323
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By AMANDA BARRETT STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SMALL CLASSES, CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS

Graduates of Berean Christian Academy and Roanoke Valley Christian Schools are looking forward to many different careers. With majors such as aerospace engineering, international business and fashion design, they plan to make their marks on the world.

But they won't soon forget their schools.

T.W. Webb, who plans a career in accounting, said he probably will attend Virginia Western Community College and stay in the area. "I really like the Roanoke Valley," he said.

Classmate Lisa Johnson will attend Bob Jones University in South Carolina and major in elementary education. She isn't sure whether she'll stay in Roanoke.

Unlike the other students interviewed, she thinks Roanoke will survive its economic blows. "Once Roanoke gets over its money problems, things will pick back up," she said.

Both Webb and Johnson will graduate from Berean Christian Academy. Berean has the smallest senior class in the Roanoke Valley - three graduates.

Webb said he enjoyed going to a small school because the students are closer. He also appreciated the smaller teacher-to-student ratio. "The teachers have more time to give each student individual attention," he said.

Johnson found a small graduating class both an advantage and a disadvantage. "I like knowing all of my classmates, but you can't have a lot of activities that other schools have and there is not as much competition gradewise," she said.

Students at Roanoke Valley Christian School had similar feelings.

Elissa Smith said she likes the smaller school. "I like not having to deal with drugs and alcohol. I especially enjoy learning in a Christian environment, " she said.

Smith will attend the Naval Academy and major in aerospace engineering. She plans to pursue a career in the Navy. "I like the Roanoke Valley. It is a nice place to live and I probably will return one day," she said.

Melissa Davis loves going to a small Christian school. "Its like one big happy family here. Most of my classmates are my closest friends."

Davis will major in secondary education at Suterville College in Ohio or Tennessee Temple in Tennessee. She plans to return to the Roanoke Valley. "My family is here and I hope that one day I can teach at Roanoke Valley Christian School," she said.

Billy Coupe plans to attend college in Winston-Salem. He is not sure he'll return to the Roanoke area.

Coupe liked attending Roanoke Valley Christian School because of the individual help he got from teachers. "I felt I got to know my teachers better. I got more help when I had questions and I think I learned more," he said.

by CNB