Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 12, 1995 TAG: 9509120017
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The students participated in the Giles County Partnerships for Excellence Foundation, a program that offers students the opportunity to "serve, learn and earn."
The program matches students with nonprofit organizations, where they gain work experience. Students are matched based on their interests and attend a series of workshops to outline expectation for participation and assistance for successful completion of the program.
Students who complete 100 hours of volunteering qualify for a $500 scholarship award that they receive after completing their first semester of college; $1,000 after 200 hours. Completion of 150 hours qualifies for granting of a high school elective credit.
When the program was started last year, it was limited to 25 people and only 14 juniors and seniors were selected. But because of its success and positive feedback, the program has received additional funding and will accept as many as 35 students this year. Last year, students worked more than 2,500 hours, including the summer hours.
Selection is based on students' academic standing, interviews and interest in the program. In addition, students must be on schedule for graduation and be enrolled in a program of study that will lead them towards postsecondary schooling.
Eight students continued their involvement with the program by volunteering during the summer as well. Volunteer hours must be accumulated outside of regular school hours.
Keeli Whetzel, a senior, said the money was an incentive to get involved with the program last year. She's logged in a little more than 100 hours, including 70 hours over the summer.
"I think [the program] makes people realize that young students are not just troublemakers," Whetzel said. She added that having volunteered at the Giles Senior Center and Narrows Art Gallery have also taught her to have more patience.
For Aaron Tickle, also a senior, said participating in the program has further encouraged him to look into a career as a computer or software engineer. In addition to working at the art gallery and senior center, Tickle worked with the county engineer who introduced him to what's expected of a computer engineer. Tickle also helped teach a computer class at the senior center.
In addition to the scholarship money, Tickle said the highlight of his 150 hours of volunteering has been having the opportunity to meet new people.
Approximately $10,000 has been allocated to the partnership for the current school year. The foundation's goal is to secure additional funding for scholarships and as well as long-term funding.
Seniors who participated in the program last year include Laura Lynch, Eric Shannon, Nikole Toumazatos, Angela Lytto and Donald Woodyard, all from Giles High; and Melissa Fields of Narrows High School. Juniors participants include: Robert Wimmer, LaShawnda Dickerson, Avrial Athey, Tina Kerr, Crystal Dollinger, Kelli Ratcliffe and Melissa Marshall.
The following is a list of sites students volunteered at: Giles County Sheriff's Department, Giles County Chamber of Commerce, Pearisburg Recreation Center, Giles County Treasurer's Office, New River Valley Community Services, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Giles County, Pearisburg Public Library, Narrows Elementary School, Giles County Historical Society, Giles Housing & Development Authority and Giles Memorial Hospital.
Giles County juniors and seniors who are interested in participating in the program should call Howard Spencer at 921-3457 or Ron Whetzel at 921-1421, ext. 10.
Jay Smith, a June graduate of Auburn High School, recently received the 1995 Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award. The award is sponsored nationwide by the Dekalb Genetics Corp. and is given to an outstanding senior agriculture student who demonstrates superior scholarship and leadership in a supervised agriculture program. The award is considered the highest honor a vocational agriculture student can receive on the local level.
Smith was president of the Riner Future Farmers Association. His agriculture program consists of horses and beef cattle. Smith now attends Virginia Tech.
Smith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Smith of Riner.
TEACHER AWARDS
A Radford High School biology teacher was selected by the National Science Association to represent Virginia as part of Access Excellence, a program that enhances high school biology education and encourages professional development of biology and life science teachers.
Frank Taylor was one of 104 teachers from across the U.S. to attend the Access Excellence Summit in San Francisco, where they were exposed to information and activities that go beyond traditional classroom teaching. Each participant also received a laptop computer with modem and printer.
The program provides teachers access to peers, scientists and sources of new scientific information via the information superhighway. Through the program, Taylor and his classes have free access through American Online and the World Wide Web on the Internet. Students will have the opportunity to learn about leading scientists, gain information on new scientific discoveries and breaking news in medicine, disease and biotechnology.
Taylor has been teaching at Radford since 1985.
Joyce Bishop, a Christiansburg High School teacher, has been named Health Occupations Teacher of the Year for Region VI and Virginia. The award recognizes teachers who provide outstanding vocational/technical education programs for youth and/or adults in their field and communities.
Deidre (DeDe) Stone was recently elected to the Policy and Planning Board of the Virginia DECA for districts 4, 5 and 6. Stone teaches marketing and fashion merchandising at Christiansburg High School.
RECOGNITION
Once again, Montgomery County Public Schools have been recognized for their inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classrooms.
The school system is recipient of the first national Education Award presented by the National Down Syndrome Congress. Superintendent Herman Bartlett Jr. accepted the award at the annual National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in August.
REMINDERS
Christiansburg High School will have an open house Monday, Sept. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The event will give parents a chance to meet teachers. There is no planned schedule for the evening. Parents may come at any time during the event. Students can accompany their parents as guides. Refreshments will be served.
Radford High School Band Boosters and choral patrons sponsor a crafts fair and flea market Saturday, Sept. 30. Proceeds will go towards the school's music department to fund basic needs for the bands and choral groups.
Vendors, yard sale items, food and entertainment will be featured. The event will be at the high school and armory. Vendor space is available for a fee. For information, call 639-9172 or 639-2660.
THE WEB
Check it out - you can read Classnotes and the rest of The Roanoke Times on the World Wide Web. The site is off of the Blacksburg Electronic Village's Community Page at: http://www.bev.net/community.
In addition to the Classnotes, other cool sites are also listed for students, including links to area schools' homepages. The Roanoke Times also sponsors a weekly news quiz for students. The first person who answers all the questions correctly and sends us the answers via e-mail will receive a prize.
by CNB