Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 15, 1995 TAG: 9508150101
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Attending the weeklong program were: Sarah Johnson, Patricia Fizer and Stacie Spradlin, all from Blacksburg High School; and Heather Southern from Pulaski County High School. The group was accompanied by parents Steve Spradlin, Sharon Spradlin, Janet Johnson and Debbie Southern, as well as chapter advisers Mary Fain from Blacksburg High and Bonnie Graham from Pulaski High.
The students had an opportunity to visit the Capitol and meet with the legislative correspondent for Sen. John Warner, R-Va. The students addressed issues that are of concern to them, including AIDS prevention, fitness and nutrition, child safety, environmental preservation and teen drinking and driving.
While at the conference, Stacie Spradlin and Fizer were selected to participate in the Students Taking Action with Recognition competition. Spradlin, a 1995 graduate, received a gold medal in the job interview event. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Spradlin.
Fizer, a rising senior, received a bronze medal in the chapter showcase event. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Reed.
Johnson, a junior, was a delegate to the national meeting and participated in a variety of leadership development programs. Johnson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Johnson.
\ It was a top gun event for Nick Hargrove.
The 14-year-old Blacksburg resident attended a weeklong Basic Aviation Challenge program in Huntsville, Ala. The program is based on U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army pilot training.
An eighth-grader at Blacksburg Middle School, Hargrove received the Right Stuff award, which recognizes a trainee who demonstrates the characteristics of U.S. space and aviation explorers.
\ The Agriculture Education Department at Christiansburg High School was recognized as the Outstanding Agricultural Education Program in the state by the Virginia Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association. The school received the award during the state conference in July.
One of the oldest in the state, the agriculture program at the high school educates students in the areas of agriculture production, horticulture, agriculture mechanics and small animal care. Christiansburg High's small animal care program has served as a model for other similar programs throughout Virginia.
While many high school agriculture programs across the state have faced decreasing enrollment or closure, the program at Christiansburg High has increased its enrollment from 22 to more than 120 in the past four years.
\ Brian Jones, a Giles County High School student, is the regional winner of the Bank Day '95 essay contest.
Bank Day is sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association and is designed to familiarize high school students with the banking industry and its role in the community. Jones attended Bank Day at National Bank of Blacksburg.
Students who participated in the one-day internship used their experience to write essays. Jones' essay was titled "How Banking Benefits My Community."
This was the second year in a row that a student assigned to National Bank of Blacksburg has been selected as top entry in the region.
by CNB