Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
That changed this summer when Nelson joined the group Voices of Youth. He and the 51 other students in grades nine-12 are on a mission trip in Russia.
Voices of Youth, a singing group that travels and performs throughout the state, started its adventure July 4 when it sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the national Fourth of July celebration in Washington. Nelson plays trumpet, French horn and piano, but he will only sing in Russia. The group departed for Russia on July 7.
The group's 18-hour flight included a stopover in Frankfurt, Germany, before it continued to Moscow. The students then traveled by bus to Mozhaysk, a town about 50 miles east of Moscow, where they are staying and working at an orphanage with 400 children. The group, which is accompanied by eight adults, also will perform several times while in Russia.
In the weeks before he left, Nelson collected old clothes, shoes, books, toys and games to take to the orphanage. He also took six bags - $30 worth - of Lifesaver candies for the children. In addition to two pairs of jeans, three T-shirts and two pairs of tennis shoes, he also took a journal, Bible, sketch pad, camera and several rolls of film, toothpaste, packs of grape and orange Hi-C and four rolls of toilet paper. The group was advised to travel light and bring necessities that are scarce in Russia.
When he returns to the United States this month, Nelson will continue his mission trip by going on a two-week singing tour with the group. Voices of Youth is scheduled for 21 performances across Virginia, including a show at White Memorial United Methodist Church in Shawsville on July 21.
Nelson, a rising 10th-grader at Christiansburg High School, is a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. The church assisted with part of the trip's expenses, and individual church members assisted by donating many of the items that Nelson took with him. Nelson is the son of Charles and Norma Nelson of Christiansburg.
Russ Johnston, a seventh-grader at Macy McClaugherty Elementary School in Pearisburg, took second place at the National History Day finals at the University of Maryland in College Park. Johnston was a state representative in the junior individual media category. His presentation, ``Thirteen Days to Judgment: The Conflict and Compromise of the Cuban Missile Crisis,'' earned him first place in Region 2 and in the state competition. This was his third top-four finish in three years. Johnston's coaches are his parents, W.R. and Donna Johnston of Pearisburg.
Two recent high school graduates from the area have been awarded scholarships to Emory & Henry College.
Brian Ballard of Narrows and Chris Dunn of Pearisburg are 1995-96 Creed Fulton Scholars. Each will receive a $3,800 scholarship during his first year at the college. They can renew the scholarships for up to four years based on their academic records.
To be selected for this award, students must rank in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class, have high scores on college entrance examinations and exhibit leadership in school.
Ballard graduated from Narrows High School, where he was vice president of the Key Club and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also played football and was on the track team.
In addition to the Creed Fulton Scholarship, Ballard received the Valedictorian Scholarship, which carries a one-time $1,000 award, and the Cox Scholarship. He also is a recipient of the National Honor Society Award for Scholarship. Ballard is the son of Jackie and Marion Ballard.
Dunn graduated from Giles High School, where he was vice president of the Student Council Association and a member of the Key, French and History clubs. He was a member of the National Honor Society and named to Who's Who Among American High School Students. He played football and baseball at Giles. He is the son of Donna and Howery Flinchum.
Eleanor McDaniel recently graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria. McDaniel was a member of the Literary Society, a Writing Center tutor and editor of the school's art and literary publication. She lettered in varsity field hockey and varsity track. In addition, she received the Whittle Prize for academic excellence.
McDaniel will attend the University of Virginia in the fall. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David McDaniel of Blacksburg.
Chris Donald of Blacksburg participated in the 1995 YMCA Youth Governors Conference in Washington, D.C., last month. Donald was one of 35 students at the annual conference, which gives participants the opportunity to hear speakers and gain experience and exposure to the national government, critical issues and the role of democracy.
Dennis Smith, a 1995 graduate of Blacksburg High School, has been awarded a $500 scholarship from the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. Smith will attend Virginia Tech in the fall as an agriculture technology student. His concentration will be landscape and turf management. Smith was vice president of Future Farmers of America at Blacksburg High. He is the son of Lee Roy and Linda Smith of McCoy.
The Blue Ridge Regional Education and Training Council presented Mary Fain with the Blue Ridge World of Work Award. Fain teaches home economics and child care at Blacksburg High School, where she has taught for 21 years.
The award is given to teachers who demonstrate excellence in preparing students for the working world through integration of career information and exploration within their subject areas.
As an award recipient, Fain participated at the Innovative Corporate Curriculum Experiences for Educators institute in Richmond. She also will be featured at the Virginia Tech Excellence in Education Awards Conference in November, where she will showcase her program.
by CNB