Photo courtesy of Chuck Lionberger

From left, Erin Carroll, Glenvar Elementary third grade teacher - Green Apple winner; Lisa Weneta, Hidden Valley Middle School English teacher - Golden Apple finalist; Kathy Barber, Cundiff Elementary kindergarten teacher - Golden Apple award winner; Amy Crawford, Glenvar Elementary P.E. teacher - Golden Apple finalist; and Skip Larrington , Hidden Valley high school computer programming and web design - Golden Apple finalist.

Each year, teachers from across Roanoke County Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, co-workers and administrators for the Golden Apple Award. This year 86 teachers were nominated to receive the award -- 24 teachers were named as semi-finalists.

"If you were ever lucky enough to be a student in Mrs. Barber's class you are well prepared to deal with the world."

These are the words that describe why Kathy Barber, kindergarten teacher at W.E. Cundiff Elementary School in Vinton has received the 2009 Golden Apple Award from the Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation.

In addition to the Golden Apple Award, the Education Foundation also named three Golden Apple finalists, one for the elementary school level, one for the middle school level and one for the high school level.

The Golden Apple finalists are:

Amy Crawford - Glenvar Elementary School P.E. teacher

Lisa Weneta - Hidden Valley Middle School English teacher

Skip Larrington - Hidden Valley High School computer programming and web design

The Education Foundation also recognizes a new teacher who has taught in Roanoke County for three years or less. This is called the Green Apple Award.

The winner of the 2009 Green Apple Award is Erin Carroll, a third-grade teacher from Glenvar Elementary School.

"We are so proud of all the educators in Roanoke County Public Schools," said Education Foundation Chairman Troy Kincer. "Each year it is a very difficult job selecting the best of the best and this year was no different. We are very fortunate to have such a challenge each year," Kincer said.

Cave Spring High School art news

Pat Carr sent information about the Cave Spring art scene. Take a look at some of the things she had to say and check out the some of the events the art department has coming up:

Several art students will have artworks exhibited at the juried Arts Council of the Blue Ridge 25th Annual High School Art Exhibition this spring. The show runs through May 30, Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cave Spring High School has 12 students with 14 artworks (drawings, paintings, digital photography) selected by a panel of judges from an entry pool of 700 pieces and 17 high schools. The following students were selected: Alecx Hunter, Ashley Hodges, Brittney Myers, Caleb Varney, Colleen Zimmerman, Cory D'Orazio, Ian Williams (2), Laura Dodson, Lauren Bosche, Matt Reyer, Molly Meador, Tom Hudson (2).

Ian Williams' "Maters" won Best in Show and $100 for his CASA painting submitted for the Kaleidoscope Art Exhibit at the Jefferson Center. Other CSHS art students featured in the regional exhibit for the Children's Advocacy Trust were: Sarah Schaefer, Mitali Patel, Natalie Iannello, Megan Pendleton, Colleen Zimmerman, and Emily White.

Pat Carr will be one of the feature artists at The Little Gallery's spring show "Visions of Smith Mountain Lake." The Opening reception is Saturday, May 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Cave Spring High School's art department has received a grant from the Virginia Watercolor Society to purchase watercolor supplies and offer a unique workshop experience with nationally recognized watercolorists, Judy Bates. Bates taught the art students her advanced methods of glazing to create luminous colors. An exhibit of the students' fruit paintings will be displayed at Wood's End (at the entrance of Hidden Valley High School) on Sunday, May 17. A reception to meet the student artists and Judy Bates will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Bates will lead a gallery talk about the students' watercolor paintings at 6 p.m. The public is invited.

These same students planned to teach a mini-workshop in watercolor basics for some eighth grade art students at Cave Spring Middle School on Wednesday, May 6. They will also offer another mini-workshop for interested CSHS classroom teachers on Wednesday, May 20.

The 34th Annual Cave Spring High School Art Exhibition will be held in the main gym Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12. The Opening Reception is 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, prior to the Band concert.

More than 1,200 pieces of art work created under the art instruction of teachers Anne Pfeiffer, Teresa Worth, and Pat Carr will be presented. Drawings, prints, paintings, mixed media, sculpture, crafts, digital photography, computer graphics, and much more will be exhibited. Many artworks will be for sale. The exhibit remains open for the public and student class visitation on Tuesday, May 12, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At the Saturday, May 9, performance of Cave Spring High School's "Beauty and the Beast," the CSHS Art Department through a partnership with the Blue Ridge Potters Guild will present a Silent Auction for dozens of pieces of professional pottery made by Guild members.

Proceeds will help fund the materials and supplies needed for the Ceramics courses at CSHS. So, come early, view the pottery, put in a bid, and then find out during intermission of the play if you're the highest bidder.

At the end of the play, your pottery will be wrapped up for you to take home and enjoy.

Hidden Valley High School announces Titan 12

Hidden Valley High School gathered Tuesday, April 28, for the moment that many Hidden Valley High School juniors have been looking foward to and working for their entire high school career -- the announcement of the Titan 12.

The 2010 Titan 12 are: Carter Aylor, Carrie Baum, Zach Brenton, Caroline Caldwell, Molly Christopher, Jonathan Hartranft, Josh Kite, Scott Lucas, Parker Poindexter, Sarah Stilwell, David Williams, and Branden Wooten.

Caroline Caldwell is a cheerleader, swimmer, involved in dance, her church, Young Life, and volunteers as a coach.

Josh Kite is a member of the BETA Club, FFCA, Spanish Honor Society, baseball, football, serves as an umpire, and volunteers at Lewis Gale Hospital.

Parker Poindexter is a member of the BETA Club, Key Club, the Green Club, the Science Club, Multicultural Club and marching band. She is also a Girl Scout and volunteers at local nursing homes.

Scott Lucas plays basketball and referees. He is also involved in the Insight Program and web design. He is active in his church and Young Life.

Molly Christopher is a member of the Debate Club, Drama, the Harry Potter Club, Science Club, Relay for Life, Archery, and is the Tech Director.

Branden Wooten is involved in the BETA Club, Spanish Club, Archery, Spanish Honor Society, and a swimmer on the swim team.

Carrie Baum is in the BETA Club, the Spanish Club, FCA, Titan Force, play South County Lacrosse, and is Editor for the yearbook. She also is active in her church, Young Life, and has participated in mission trips.

Zach Brenton plays soccer and wrestling. He is also a member of the Marching Band and is in the bETA Club, Green Club, Latin Club and Co-Editor of the newspaper.

Jonathan Hartranft is a member of the BETA Club, Titan Force, and Spanish Honor Society. He is plays track, plays for the Youth Symphony Orchestra and has won many band awards.

Sarah Stilwell is a member of FCA, the Key Club, Relay for Life, and the Titan Froce. She is also a cheerleader, and part of the Hidden Valley State Champion Swim team. She is very active in her church youth programs and participates in food drives.

David Williams plays football and serves as the Captain of the wrestling team. He is also a member of the Spanish Club, Titan Force, goes to Burton, and is an active member of his church and youth life. He volunteers at the Rescue Mission and Lewis Gale.

Carter Aylor is involved in the Key Club, Young Democrats, BETA Club, and Titan Force. He also works with the United Way and is active in many political campaigns.

In order to be chosen as one of the Titan 12 the junior must best represent the ideals of character, leadership, academics, service and attitude and be reconized by the faculty.

The selection process begins around March. The faculty nominate students from the current junior class. Those names are submitted to the current Titan 12 for review and then the faculty vote on the nominations. A faculty committee is formed for final review and the top 12 determine the new Titan 12. Principal Rhonda Stegall said during the ceremony, "Twelve students will be recognized today, but they are not the only students who are representative of the necessary characteristics."  

North Cross honor rolls

1st Honor Roll Winter Trimester 2009

Sixth Grade: Madison Bloomfield, Sophie Bradford, Neale Butler, Jack Cranwell, Kerin Daly, Meg Evett, Maggie Harman, Katherine Harrison, Anne Elise Hastings, Sam Kuznicki, Ashley Lemon, Meghan McDonnell, Sterling Moskal, Will Perry, Hope Pollock, Nicole Quinn, Wolfe Randall, Sarah Shaff, Sam Strauss, Avery Sturm.

Seventh Grade: Urmila Bharathan, Nicole Chaney, Anna Cooper, Kirby Evett, Paxton Helmer, Mehreen Imam, Nishant Jha, Zach Williamson.

Eighth Grade: Sarah Algino, Wes Bonelli, Grace Cates, Will Fralin, Shariq Hashmi, Hazel Lindahl, Dana Thompson.

2nd Honor Roll

Sixth Grade: Victoria Baldwin, Bridges Comer, Kole Davis, Rachel Davis, Caroline Deane, Hannah Dorton, Annie Elwell, Clayton Fralin, Darian Goodrich, Brad Prescott, Max Revercomb, Emily Rock, Edwin Saunders, Jake Scheiderer, Sage Vilgats.

Seventh Grade: Matt Algino, Carrie Bailey, Harrison Call, George Cartledge, Zach Caveness, Morgan Clark, John Clarke, Kyle Curtis, Evan Elwell, Matt Erath, Ryan Hunt, Ann Ickes, Eesha Imam, Rosalie List, Madison Macher, Caitlin McDonnell, Sidney Murray, Chris Pollock, Hart Semler.

Eighth Grade: Madison Altice, Emily Chandel, Scott Clower, Ragan Comer, Carlos DeJesus, Lucas Hardin, Zach Hollander, Jayson Lamanca, Mac McNally, Alex Roe, Anna Sawyer, Bryce Woodliff.

High School

1st Honor Roll Winter Trimester 2009

Ninth grade: Miranda Clarke, Sarah Kate Holley, Laura Lemon, Tyler Lemon.

10th grade: Hannah Carter, Catherine Jessee, Hallie Martin, Stephanie Till, Hatcher Worthy.

11th grade: Alexander Chandel, Caitlin Verdu, Emily Williams.

12th grade: Edward Gracia, Scotty Groth.

2nd Honor Roll Winter Trimester 2009

Ninth grade: Alexandra Martin, Derek Mason, Drew Maurer, Bryan McDonnell, Paul McNeil, Lara Min, Tim Putnam, Julia Sherertz, Alex Strain, Connor Walters, Alex Worthy, Rachael Wright, Adrienne Wynd, Eun Ji Yoo.

10th grade: Janagan Bharathan, Emily Boyd, Emma Caveness, Fuller Clark, Kaki Comer, Devon Goodrich, Andrew Gotow, Caitlyn Hickey, Craig Hoelzer, Zaahir Imam, Tyler Lystash, Jonathan Mitchell, Christopher Moore, Marie Nganele, Lauren Oddo, Maggie Perrin-Key, Amy Putnam, David Quinn, Nicholas Rehmus, Reagan Robey, Spencer Shaff, Ansel Steele, Elizabeth Stoeckle, Melinda Truslow, Jonathan Turner, Matt Watson.

11th grade: Tyler Caveness, Andrew Floyd, Will Frye, Philip Grubbs, Aamir Imam, Sarah Jessee, Mary McConaughy, Kaya Patel, David Shields, Wendy Wang, Ben Weiserbs.

12th grade: Merritt Boyd, Mary Stuart Carter, Alex Cecil, Jade Donaldson, Derek Fisher, Claiborne Fletcher, Davis Frith, Farrell Irons, Claire Johnson, Shawn Kim, Olivia Langhorn, Shelby Putnam, Ted Robison, Glenn Williams.

National survey finds Roanoke County Schools a 'Best Community' for Music 

Roanoke County Schools has been designated a "Best Community for Music Education" in a national survey by the NAMM Foundation.

As the economy challenges state and local school budgets to adequately support education, the 124 school districts named by the NAMM Foundation demonstrate the unwavering commitment to provide music education for their students. The NAMM Foundation's mission is to ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs that encourage lifelong participation in music making.

This year's roster of musical schools represents 21 states with a record amount of communities from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. A total of 29 communities are new to the roster.

"The potential of music to help children reach their full development is understood by the school districts represented in this year's survey results," said Mary Luehrsen, executive director, NAMM Foundation. "We celebrate these communities that are committed to providing access to music education programs and bettering the lives of their students."

The districts were measured across curricular and programmatic criteria as well as public support of their music programs. The survey was developed and administered by The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, an affiliate of the University of Kansas.