Courtesy of Phillip Simmons

The refurbished stoplight.

VDOT representatives Cindy Mitchell and Tim Smith were probably wondering, "What in the world does Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC) want with old traffic lights?" But, they were willing to donate them nonetheless.

The collaboration of VDOT and BTEC students came to fruition when one of the lights the students had been working on was delivered to Cloverdale Elementary School on March 23. Charlotte Darby at Cloverdale Elementary had approached BTEC principal, Dr. Brian Austin, and asked if there was anyway that there could be a stoplight type system made that would be controlled by volume to turn from green to yellow to red based on the sound level of students in the school's cafeteria. This system is a way to warn the students when they are getting too noisy during their lunch time. David Marcum, principal at Cloverdale, stated that having this light would meet a portion of their Comprehensive School Improvement Plan goals.

The idea was attacked head on by the Building Trades students at BTEC as well as Auto Body students and Welding students. The project started with the generous donation of an actual traffic light from VDOT and Craig Gusler of Richardson-Wayland Electrical Company. Once the stoplight was delivered to the school, the students went to work. The Building Trades program purchased voice-actuated electronic kits that act as the control for the light. The control operates on 12 volts but also has a 120-volt relay built into it. The students worked diligently to put the relays together which were eventually tied together in tandem. They also salvaged a discarded printer power supply to use for the 120 to 12-volt power conversion. The Welding students cut and assembled the steel base and column to keep the light in a vertical position. The Auto Body students cleaned and painted the stoplight unit, then stenciled the BTEC /VDOT logo on the light. Once the stoplight was painted and the steel base was added, the Building Trades students went to work constructing the wooden case work that would house the power supply in a safe manner. The Auto Body students sprayed finish on the woodwork base cabinet and the unit was then complete.

This joint effort of BTEC students in Building Trades, Auto Body, and Welding made the light a reality for Cloverdale Elementary School and was a learning experience for all involved.

National Honor Society induction at James River High School

Twenty-seven students from James River High School were inducted as new members to the National Honor Society on May 27. Jennifer Alderson submitted the following information about the ceremony:

Members were selected by the chapter's Faculty Council for meeting high standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Students inducted were: Megan Hill, Trent Jolin, Jennifer Stull, Patrick Bennett, Jordan Brogan, Megan Childs, Emily Kettelson, Maggie Moniot, Whitney Painter, Brandon Plunkett, Andrew Tucker, Elizabeth Amos, Haley Baker, Jordan DiPalma, Cierra Falls, Katie George, Britta Grimm, Shannon Kessler, KW King, Matthew Mandeville, Mary Beth Marshall, Dustin Odum, Jenna Reed, Emily Smith, Ethan Thrasher, Caitlin Ward, and Alexis Williams.

The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. Chapters exist in more than 15,000 schools and, since 1921, millions of students have been selected for membership. This national student organization is proudly sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Botetourt Education Association recognizes retiring teachers

The Botetourt Education Association held a reception on May 21 at Greenfield Elementary School to recognize the teachers retiring from Botetourt County public schools this year.

Here is a list of the retiring educators:

Breckinridge Elementary School:

Elizabeth Cole

Buchanan Elementary School:

Dianne Baker and Linda Burke

Cloverdale Elementary School:

Susan LaRose and Jacqueline Mosley

Colonial Elementary School:

Linda Crumpacker

Greenfield Elementary School:

Diana Harvey, Barbara Riddleberger, and Marsha Peters

Central Academy Middle School:

Marilyn Brewbaker, Shirley Cahoon, Susan Martin, Vaneta McAlexander, Marcia Neighbors, Mary Otey, and Nancy Womack

Read Mountain Middle School:

Ed Craig and Linda Long

James River High School:

Geraldine Hayth, Bridget Marshall, and Susanne Stinnett

Lord Botetourt High School:

Alan Brenner, Linda King, Debbie Welch, Jerry Wertz, and June Whitlock

Central Office:

Chester Adams, Kaye Longley, and Sandra Tunnell

Bus Garage:

Iris Jean Collins, Carolyn Fulton, Martha Wilhelm, and Geraldine Williamson

Here is a list of the teachers who were recognized for 25 years in public education:

Buchanan Elementary School:

Amy Myers

Eagle Rock Elementary School:

Annette Taylor

Troutville Elementary School:

Beverly Hart and Sara McCorkle

Central Academy Middle School:

Myra Petty

James River High School:

Carolyn Shotwell

Lord Botetourt High School:

Tim Bane and Charles Pound

Drafting winner

Johanna Nemetz, a senior at Lord Botetourt High School and a second-year student in drafting at Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC), recently completed the 2008 2009 CAD/Design/Drafting Competition for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). The competition is designed for senior-high students.

It provides recognition to students for creative design, successful problem solving and craftsmanship in preparing architectural drawings. Entries are evaluated for detail, accuracy and originality of work. Objectives of the contest are to introduce the student to the construction industry in a positive and challenging manner, while fostering a sense of self-worth and building confidence. The NAWIC Roanoke Valley Chapter was furnished with the national design problem that was designed by a licensed architect or engineer at the NAWIC national level and was generic enough to meet the needs of all areas of the US and NAWIC international affiliates. Project drawings included a minimum, floor plan, exterior elevation and site plan with the placement of structure.

Along with the other competition participants from Blacksburg High School, Johanna presented her designs to the NAWIC Roanoke Valley membership at their monthly meeting on May 19. She took first place in the CAD Division of the competition at the chapter level and was recognized for her accomplishment at the meeting. Johanna also competed in the Skills USA District VII Architectural Drafting Competition in 2009 and placed second.

She has been a member of the Lord Botetourt Marching Cavaliers Colorguard from 2006-2008, and a member of the Lord Botetourt Cavalier Winterguard from 2006-2009. "She is a wonderful and dedicated student, and I am sure that she will continue to do wonderful things after she graduates," says CAD/drafting instructor Veronica Spradlin.

Middle schools hold first Project Fair at Lord Botetourt

The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Journey students at Central Academy and Read Mountain Middle School held their first annual Project Fair at Lord Botetourt High School. Students and parents from both schools came to view projects that students completed throughout the year. Students displayed some amazing projects, including original inventions, student-made news broadcasts, career projects, Anne Frank photo stories and autobiographies.

Submitted by Lisa Moyer

Lord Botetourt Spanish  students love España!

How did you spend spring break this year? Seventeen LBHS students, teachers, and parents traveled to Europe and Africa with EF Educational Tours, spending 10 exciting days in Spain and Morocco. Prior to the trip, students worked hard and raised approximately $3,000 to help finance the trip in a variety of ways: an Applebee's pancake breakfast, as well as sales of snow cones, Home Interior products, Little Caesars pizzas, football programs, and garden flags.

From the moment they touched down in Madrid, for some pictures of the travelers on the go touring attractions in Madrid, Toledo, Consuegra, Granada, Costa del Sol, Morocco, Seville, Córdoba, and Segovia. The group had a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the glory and beauty of Spain's rich culture, famous historical sites, and unique artwork that many only get to read about in their textbooks.

Throughout the trip, EF Tours provided the group with a plethora of opportunities to experience authentic Spanish culture and cuisine. The hotel accommodations were wonderful, and the food was delicious. Students sampled traditional Spanish dishes such as Iberian ham, Spanish tortillas (omelets made of potatoes and eggs), paella, as well as churros and chocolate. On the last evening, they shared tapas, which are Spanish appetizers, as they were serenaded by the Tuna, a band of university students. The group was particularly enamored with our EF Tours tour guide, Jeffrey, who was friendly and very knowledgeable about Spanish history and culture. Tired and jetlagged, the group returned and attended school the next day. It seems like a dream, a good dream, that happened long ago. It was truly an awesome experience that makes the world seem smaller.

Submitted by Melissa Amos, Spanish teacher

For even more detail about the trip, visit The Notebook on botetourtview.com