Cathy Benson, The Botetourt View

Will Divers directs the concert band.

On Monday, May 18, the art, music and creative writing departments at James River High School put forth their best efforts with the 26th Annual Knight of the Arts evening. The PTSA provided refreshments for the intermission.

Though the group is small, only seven members, the James River Choir began the evening with song. Those members are Lanier Berra, Holly Harrell, Meagan Thurston, Jennifer Linkenhoker, Jenifer Moss, Jessica Perry and Allysa Walker. Kimberly Rickman from first semester and Linkenhoker were All District Chorus members. Joel Bremner directs the choir.

Currents staff introduced the 2009 Currents magazine that is themed "liguid" this year. Each of the staff members received either a medal for first year students, an academic letter for second year or a bar for third year participants. Currents magazine has been award-winning on the national and state level and features art, photography, poetry, essays and fiction. Students sold copies for $6 in the school's cafeteria during intermission. The magazine can be purchased at the school. Sponsor for Currents is Rebekah Woodie. Staff for this year's magazine included Jessica Webb, editor-in-chief, Victoria Bosley, Ashley Reynolds, Morgan Deacon, Kim Rickman, Summer Cash, Anthony Garrison, Jakob Kelly, Rhett Norris, Jonathon Chilcot, Jordan Dipalma and Kristin Dant.

James River's art students have participated in four outside shows this year: Gather to Gavel, Mountain Magic, Art Feast and the 25th Annual Art council of the Blue Ridge High school Art Show currently at Center in the Square. The student's art show filled the remainder of the Cafeteria. Three seniors, Hilary Guilliams, David Bordett and Martin Burch had separate displays. First place winners included: Hilary Guilliams, pencil; Dawn Phoenix; color pencil; David Bordett, charcoal; Rachel Dudley, pastel; Hilary Guilliams, pen and ink; Adam Ferguson, Misc; Kay Woods, Calligraphy; Amelia Cassell, water color; Hilary Guilliams, acrylic/oil; Martin Burch, photography; Steven Cochran, photo collage; Ashley Austin, print making; Rachel Greene. People's Choice: Sarah Sloan; Best Use of Medium: Tali Dipalma and Best in Show, David Bordett. His work titled, "Sensai" or Master referred to Barnett, his teacher whom he said has helped and pushed him.

After intermission the JRHS concert band performed four pieces. They were "Flurry for the Winds and Percussion," " On a Hymnsong of Phylip Bliss," "Three Kentucky Stretches" and the finale "Toy Symphony." The band is under the direction of Will Divers.

Central Academy to put on Economic Stimulus Talent Show

Times are tough everywhere, so for a night out and some free entertainment why not attend the Central Academy Middle School's first Patriots' Economic Stimulus Talent Show! It's free, free, free. Come see the talents of the Patriot students; the show will feature singing, dancing and comedy.

June 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the forum at Central Academy Middle School.

Submitted by Kelley Weiler

Fincastle preschool tours Breckinridge

Dressed in tie-dyed T-shirts, a group of students at Fincastle Preschool, 12 of the 17, toured Breckinridge Elementary School on Friday, May 15. While all eyes are set for the end of the county school year, these little folks received a glimpse of their future.

Laura Camp, the principal at Breckinridge, led the students through the school to familarize them with the different areas they will locate during a school day in kindergarten. The preschoolers seemed very interested in the kindergarten classes and teachers, the computer lab, music and art rooms, met the guidance counselor Malia Huffman and had a couple of stories read to them by the librarian, Mrs. Harris. The highlight of the trip was a lunch in the school cafeteria, where they dined on every thing from PBJ's to grilled cheese to corndog nuggets and many of their parents and younger siblings ate with them.

The preschool class members and teachers are: Tyler Durig, Everette Bowman, Sarah Slater, Tyler Gill, Olivia Griffin, Aidan Cole, Anna McCraw, Andi Dyal, Jeffery Martin, Nathan St. Clair, Andrew Fox, Autumn Edwards and teachers Amy Claud and Leigh Ann Anderson.