Chinah Helmendollar, Miss Virginia, poses with The Botetourt Buddies.

Miss Virginia, Chinah Helmendollar, came to Lord Botetourt High School on Wednesday, Feb 24. She became the reigning Miss Virginia when Caressa Cameron became Miss America.

YOVASO (Youth of Virginia Speaking Out) members Justin Collins and Haley Miller introduced Miss Virginia. Helmendollar delivered a message about making the right life choices, setting goals and avoiding pitfalls like underage alcohol consumption and drugs. Though her personal platform is on Virginians with disabilities, the 23-year-old James Madision University grad knew how to keep the crowd's attention. A pretty brunette with deep brown eyes, many of the young men in the audience were awestruck by the young woman in the tiara and sparkling Miss Virginia sash.

"Your friends know what you want to accomplish. Your real friends won't try to trip you up with bad choices. They want you to reach success."

She used an an example of junk food and her quest for the crown. "When I started to eat bad things my friends reminded me of my goal." She drew that analogy to using alcohol and drugs. "If they know your goal is to get a car or the keys to your parents' car, they won't offer you a beer to drink. If you get caught as an underage DUI, you lose your license. Don't let a bad choice close doors for you."

When the crowd noise started to gain momentum after alcohol was mentioned, the theater grad waved her hand in a "come here" motion and instructed the student body to "Come on back, come on back," until they quieted down.

Helmendollar, a Franklin County resident, will travel more than 20,000 miles during her reign. Lord Botetourt is one of 19 schools selected for her to visit. She will go to James River High School in late March.

The Miss Virginia pageant is held in Roanoke every summer, and the Miss America scholarship program is the best available for young women, Helmendollar told the audience.

At the end of the assembly, she posed with The Botetourt Buddies, an LBHS club for special ed and general ed students to establish fellowship and friendship.

For more photos, see The Notebook at botetourtview.com.

SkillsUSA had a big day at BTEC

Wednesday, Feb. 24, was a big day for cosmetology students around the area. Students from Patrick Henry, Arnold Burton Center for Technology, Pulaski High School, Blacksburg High School, and Giles Career & Tech Center traveled to the Botetourt Technical Education Center to compete in four SkillsUSA district competitions.

The categories of competition were Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Esthetician and Fantasy Manikin.

Cosmetology competitors completed a haircut and style by looking at the picture of a predetermined cut, created an evening design, took a test on theory knowledge and participated in an interview component to assess their communication skills. Judges timed and oversaw the events. As an example, Cheryl Sullivan-Willis who manages P.zaz, a hair salon at Botetourt Commons, served as monitor in the Esthetician competition. "I am so pleased to be here working with these future professionals," said Willis.

BTEC hosted a room full of goodies for volunteers as well as competitors and their instructors, so it was a fun day as well as a day to exhibit skills.

Nail Technology students must complete nail wraps, artificial nail sculpture, a theory knowledge test, and nail art design -- all completed on a live model. A great day of nail care for the models as well as the would-be nail techs who plied their best ability for the competition.

The Esthetician competition consisted of a facial, facial massage, daytime makeup, fantasy makeup, and a theory knowledge test. The girls were happily enjoying a facial massage and application of fresh makeup, too!

The most fun event for the spectator was the Fantasy Manikin. The hairstyles and creative ideas by the students were just terrific! Each student used a manikin to create a fantasy look, and the hairstyles were wild and exotic. The participants described how they did the hair and make-up and how the bad weather interfered with their preparations.

BTEC was well represented: Sara Wise with her Cheshire cat; Crista Anderson did a unicorn hairstyle with fantasy makeup that took several days; Danielle Santos worked on Batman's Poison Ivy -- a favorite movie and comic book character from her childhood. Even Lady Gaga (a popular recording artist, for those who don't know) made an appearance! She was created by Haley Alderman.

"To be part of the competition, all students must be a member of SKillsUSA and present a resume," said Phyllis Pratt, BTEC cosmetology instructor. "The students in this competition are interested in cosmetology not only as a career, but many use the skills they learned after completing their cosmetology license and work in a salon as they go through college. And that may be they are pursuing a degree in a different field. I believe it is a great way to earn money and have a career and college at the same time." Pratt said many of her former students have worked and gone to college and were successful at both.

Winners of these contests will be announced at Jackson River Technical Center during the Awards Assembly. The winners will go to the State Leadership Competition in Hampton in April to compete in their category with winners of the other 11 districts in Virginia.

-- Phyllis Pratt assisted with this article.

BTEC students work on more than just technical skills

Botetourt Technical Education Center students have plenty of competencies that relate to their specific career and technical education classes. For example, the cosmetology students have a list of competencies set by the State Board of Cosmetology that the students must achieve before they can take their State Board Exam. These cover such skills as permanent wave and hair color.

In addition to technical mastery, the students also must work on their Workplace Readiness Skills. These skills are hard to measure, but students need direct training in those areas as well. Virginia has identified 13 Workplace Readiness Skills that are considered essential for success in any chosen career. Some of the skills are considered "hard skills," such as reading or math. "Soft skills" cover such areas as work ethic and attitude.

As Career and Technical Education teachers plan for their year they consult with Business Advisory Committees and in all careers, there is agreement: Workers can be taught technical skills on the job, but it is those Workplace Readiness Skills that are lacking in the new hires. They are looking for workers who have good attendance, strong morals and great attitudes. These are the skills that attract the attention of employers.

CTE teachers in Botetourt County incorporate the Workplace Readiness Skills into all the lessons they teach through use of modeling and coaching. They also teach specific lessons on teamwork, effective listening, work ethic and problem solving. By direct instruction, they hope to show students how vital these skills are in the career world.

Students begin the Character Counts program as they enter kindergarten, but teachers in the CTE classes apply it directly to the world of work.

At BTEC, not only do teachers teach the skills daily, but next year Kathy Phillips, Workplace Readiness Skills teacher, will work with the technical classes to highlight the skills the employers are looking for. She will work in conjunction with the CTE teachers and teach some of the lessons that tie the "soft skills" right into the career class. As jobs are tight everywhere, this is another way to show that Botetourt County schools are committed to preparing high school students to not only get a job, but to keep it.

Submitted by Katherine T. Phillips,Alternative Ed./GED, Workplace Readiness Skills

Buchanan Elementary spelling bee

Buchanan Elementary recently held its spelling bee. The participants were the following fifth-grade students: Ben Woody, Blair Grim, Davis Fenster, Phoenix O'Neal, Emily Bryan, Trystan Lowdermilk, Emily Walker, Hope Aaron, Ashley Dollman, and Jake DaViolo. The winner was Phoenix O'Neal, and the runner-up was Emily Bryan.

Submitted by Jennifer Medley