ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 6, 1996 TAG: 9606060014
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-44 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES TOLLIVER JR. STAFF WRITER
Throughout the Roanoke Valley, Leroy "Rocky" Lark is known as a star football player and wrestler from Lord Botetourt High School. To his friends and family, he's also an exemplary student and brother.
"He does sports, carries a full academic load, works part time, and helps take care of his handicapped sister," said Faye Martin, Lark's guidance counselor. "Anyone who says negative things about the youth of today has not met the Rocky Larks of this world."
Lark's 10-year-old sister, Erika, is blind. To assist his mother, Lark assumes a great deal of responsibility in caring for his sister.
"We take turns feeding her," Lark said. "Every day before school, I dress her and send her on the school bus."
Despite his busy schedule, Lark has maintained at least a 3.0 grade-point average during high school, and will graduate 44th in the class of 196 on June 7. Lord Botetourt's ceremony will be at 8 p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center.
While Lark says he is capable of caring for his sister, he admits that there is one obstacle he faces.
"I can't do her hair," Lark says, laughing. "That's the one thing I did not learn to do for her, yet."
Lark may not be suited to be a barber, but he has chosen a career path. He will attend Virginia Union University in the fall and hopes to be an accountant.
Despite his accomplishments in sports - he was captain of both the football and wrestling teams this year - Lark doesn't have an athletic scholarship. He says he may decide to be a "walk-on" athlete, but his focus will be academics.
Lark was not only a star fullback for the Cavaliers in football, but also has personified the image of student-athletes. He was voted Homecoming King and recognized in the Who's Who Among American High School Students.
"My respect and admiration for this young man is limitless," said Sheila Brockmeyer, Lark's English teacher.
During his junior year, Lark was one of two students from Lord Botetourt selected to attend Boys' State, a mock government program for boys from across the state held at Liberty University.
"It was interesting because we were allowed to set up our own government, elect officials, and meet other students from Virginia," Lark said.
Lark also received the Century 21 Accounting Award and because of his good citizenship, was presented with the LBHS Daughters of the American Revolution Award. During the annual awards ceremony at Lord Botetourt, Lark was presented with the Senior Athletic Award, Virginia High School League's Academic Excellence Award, U.S. Army Scholar/Athlete Award, and a scholarship from the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
"Rocky Lark is impossible to stereotype," said Louise Jargowsky, Lark's science teacher. "He is popular enough with his peers to be elected Homecoming King and respected enough by the faculty to be chosen to go to Boys' State."
Lark credits his mother with being the motivational force in his life. Lark said the tenacity of his mother helped establish a strong work ethic in him.
"She takes time with my sister, me, and works at the same time," said Lark. "And I know that's hard, so I like to try and help her out so she can have some time to do things she wants to."
Lark knows that despite his accomplishments, he must not quit.
"I have some friends that have slacked off," Lark said. "But I tell them `That is your way, and I'm going to do things my way.'''
Of the 196 students in the Class of 1996, 132 plan to go to college. The class valedictorian is Joan Patterson, and Andrea Henderson is the salutatorian.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROGER HART Staff Playing fullback for the Lordby CNBBotetourt High football team was just one of Rocky Lark's many
accomplishments.