Cathy Benson | The Botetourt View

Thunderous guitar playing ruled the night.

When all was said and done Friday night, May 22, after two hours of basically good music, some awesome guitarists (especially one bass player for "Show Me a Hero"), the Battle of the Bands ended with "Honor Amongst Thieves" walking away with first prize and an encore of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" ground out in more modern terms. The fourth annual YOVASO Battle of the Bands featured six bands:

The Hardest Part: Kyle Walker, Charles McKeever, Tyler Lion

Leather Lace and Razorblades: Kate Campbell, Heather Duvall, Riki Perez and Jenny Simpson

Honor Amongst Thieves: Drew Sprinkle, Bengy Wagner, Mike Henderson and "Sam"

Show Me A Hero: Gage Freeman, Dakota Thacker, Jesse Boothe, Donnie Sowash and Russell Stevens

Head Over Kills: Brye Hayes, Chris Suter, Robert Patten, Andy Neikirk

Echo Theory: Alex Nackley, Sean Gimbert, Erich Lang and Trent Mathias

"Show Me a Hero," the crowd fave, finished second and "Head Over Kills" finished third. It was a great night filled with advice and questions about traffic safety, teen driving facts, alcohol and driving and many other important things that are all part of the YOVASO message. And, the students in the auditorium participated as much as possible, both screaming and rocking to the bands and winning free gift cards for correct answers.

For more photos, visit The Notebook on botetourtview.com

Greenfield Elementary School is "going green"

Caring for the Earth is a big deal at Greenfield Elementary School. During Earth Week, the students participated in activities each day that focused on ways to help the earth. Some of the activities included creating helping hands pictures, playing games made from recycled items, and joining in a school wide book exchange where students sent in used books and then chose a "new" book from the collection.

The school already has a recycling program in place for plastic, paper, and cans. They also have the H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Planet Earth) club which focuses on bringing awareness of Earth-friendly habits such as litter pickup, recycling, conservation, and beautification of the school's property.

An assembly was held to culminate the Earth Week activities during which students watched a video produced by H.O.P.E Club members demonstrating ways to save water and electricity and to reduce litter. Then, a speaker from the Wildlife Center of Virginia spoke about animal rescue and introduced the excited students to a rescued opossum, snake and owl. The speaker emphasized the importance of protecting animal life by picking up trash and caring for our local wildlife.

The H.O.P.E. club sponsor, kindergarten teacher Nicole Salsgiver, stated, "It is wonderful to work at a school where the students and staff are so involved and excited to help. Every small act, when added together, can make a big difference." Special thanks go to Wendy Grimshaw and the Greenfield PTA Earth Week Committee, Mrs. Beth Walton of the Clean Valley Council, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and to the members of the H.O.P.E. Club for their help in making Earth Week special for our students.

Submitted by Barbara Hunt

Read Mountain Middle School holds annual talent show

On Friday, May 8, Read Mountain Middle School held its annual talent show. Nine acts were presented, showcasing outstanding Read Mountain talent. Seventh-graders Kendal Linkous, Sheralyn Basham and Holly Overstreet sang and danced to the song "Stupid Cupid." There was certainly nothing stupid about their performance, as the girls did a fantastic job.

James Vance, seventh grade, shared his guitar skills by performing "Old Mountain Bluegrass," which the country-loving audience really appreciated. Seventh-graders Victoria Johnson and Alyssa Stanek performed wonderful individual solos, with Victoria singing "Run to You" and Alyssa singing "Realize." These girls were followed by another seventh-grader, Taylor Leonard, who showed amazing talent by accompanying herself on guitar as she sang. Another seventh-grader, Miranda Blake, sang "I Can Love You Better" and got the crowd clapping and singing along. Amanda West represented the sixth grade well by singing "Word of God Speak."

Savanna Honaker, an eighth-grader who is torn between acting and singing, accompanied herself on guitar as she sang an original composition entitled "Dream Come True." Closing the show were Brooke Herndon and Max Cassell, who performed an outstanding number from "The Phantom of the Opera." The hard work on the part of these students was reflected in their performances, and they treated everyone in the audience to a wonderful evening of entertainment.

All proceeds from the talent show, and bake sale (which was sponsored by the school's "Ball'n For The Cure" team), were donated to the American Cancer Society.

Submitted by Heather Simmons

On Saturday, April 25, Read Mountain Middle School Chorus performed in the Music Showcase Festival at Busch Gardens. The Men's Choir placed 1st in their division, and the Treble Chorus also placed 1st in their division. Read Mountain Chorus won Best Overall Performance for the Junior High/Middle School division with the highest musical score.

The RMMS Chorus is directed by Bonita Durham with accompanist Cheryl Caffee and assistant Rosalyn Shimp. The chorus is made up of students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

The Classical Conversations Groups from Roanoke, Botetourt, Rockbridge, and Christiansburg traveled to the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine on Wednesday, May 6, to attend an Outreach Anatomy program. Classical Conversations is a nationwide network of classical, Christian communities providing college preparatory academic programs, events, and services to local home school communities, parents, and educators. The group of 43 students, ranging in age from 9 to 16, and 15 parents were greeted by Mr. Robby Hudson, the Director of Human Resources, who welcomed them to the school and requested that they "enjoy their day and not be afraid to ask questions."

Next, Mark Rolfs, a medical school student in the class of 2011, gave a presentation on what an osteopathic physician is and how they incorporate a holistic approach to medicine. He informed the group that one goal of the osteopathic medical school is to put physicians in under served areas of Virginia and West Virginia. He also explained how osteopathic manipulation can be used to supplement and improve on pharmacologic treatments. "There are times when manipulation can obviate the need for pharmacological intervention," said Rolfs. After his presentation the group viewed a short film called "The Blood Mobile" which provided an overview of the basic functions of the body systems.

The students were then given a tour of the school so that they could see where they might study and learn if they were to attend there one day. The school is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allows students to learn with the most up-to-date information.

Finally, the group attended an anatomy lab. The home schooled students, who have been studying anatomy this year, were split into four groups according to age. They rotated between three instructors from the medical school. Francine Anderson, PT, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair of Anatomy instructed the students on the eye. The students were allowed to take apart a plastic eye and Anderson explained how the various parts of the eye work and the tasks performed by the various eye muscles. She had the students move their eyes in different directions and then explained which of the muscles were creating the movement and why it was important.

Next, assistant professor Igor Danelison instructed the students on the brain. The students were allowed to handle and observe a plasticized brain and see the cross-section of the brain. They were also encouraged to investigate plastic models of the brain. Danelison quizzed the students on the various areas of the brain and explained how a patient would act if any part of the brain were injured due to sports, vehicular accidents, or other injury. Knowing this information might help the physician to determine exactly where the injury had occurred in the brain.

Richard P. Wyeth, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, allowed the students to take apart and observe the thoracic cavity, which includes the heart, lungs and diaphragm. He explained how all of these organs work in combination with one another to keep a person breathing, feed the body with oxygen, and carry out waste products to keep the body healthy.

Dr. Anderson then gave the students modeling clay to make vertebrae just like those in the back. The students looked at pictures of the spine and molded vertebrae and discs just like the ones that are in their own backs. The students were also allowed to take home all "their" vertebrae.

Submitted by Delores Wood

The Buchanan Theatre is sponsoring a movie contest open to middle and high school students in Botetourt County. Movies will be shown prior to regularly scheduled movies throughout the summer and fall.

A viewer's choice award will be presented at the Buchanan Theatre's Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 7. All approved entries will be shown that night to the public.

In addition, a scholarship (minimum of $250) will be awarded to a Botetourt County senior (Class of 2010) who has submitted work deemed worthy by the Standing Room Only Board of Directors. The scholarship will be awarded on Nov. 7.

All submitted movies must meet the criteria listed below:

Entering student must be a resident of Botetourt County

Movie must be family friendly

Movie cannot exceed 8 minutes

Movie must be submitted in DVD or Windows Media Player Format on a CD or DVD disk and labeled with the name and phone number of the person submitting it.

Standing Room Only will have rights to the movie through Nov. 7.

No more than two entries can be submitted per student.

All submissions must be accompanied by the attached entry form and either mailed to Standing Room Only or presented in person to the Buchanan Theatre during regular operating hours.

Movies will be accepted June 1 to August 1

Immediate family members of Standing Room Only Board of Directors are not eligible for scholarship prize.

Those submitting movies will be notified by email or phone of the dates that their entry will be shown.

Standing Room Only will make every effort to show each movie submitted that meets the above stated criteria. Movies deemed inappropriate or do not meet the criteria listed above will not be shown to the public and will not be eligible for prizes.

To get the entry form, pick up hard copies available at both high schools and the Buchanan Theatre.

Congressman visits LBHS class

The seminar class at Lord Botetourt High School hosted Sixth District Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, on Friday, May 1, and he spoke of his role in Congress. All government students, mainly seniors, listened and asked questions said Andy Dewease, the government teacher at the high school.

Goodlatte's assistant Lindsay Brooks worked with Sara Zeek in the seminar class and had suggested that the representative come to LBHS and speak. "He made a four-day notice," laughed Dewease, who set up the auditorium and got the government classes in to hear the congressman. Goodlatte donned his gift from the school, a red LBHS baseball cap, and then described his role as an elected representative and explained, among other things, said Dewease, why he voted against the economic stimulus plan. He also described the budget crisis and the bailout. 

Greenfield Elementary performs at the PTA meeting

Second-grade students at Greenfield Elementary performed at the April PTA meeting under the direction of Music Educator Margaret Courtney. The evening's music was based on Broadway musicals, and the Concert was entitled, "Babes On Broadway." Musical selections included pieces from famous Broadway musicals, such as: "Oliver," "Bye-Bye, Birdie," "Les Miserables," "The Music Man," "Seussical the Musical" and "The Lion King." Students sang chorus numbers, and a handful of chorus girl wannabees danced the night away! Vocal soloists included Rodney Rhodes, Rachael Taylor, Abby Martin, and Lilli Clevenger.

Submitted by Barbara Hunt