Courtesy of Chuck Lionberger

Students created a pink ribbon in the parking lot in celebration of Passionately Pink Day at Hidden Valley High School.

Pat Ammen (left) and Beth Davis.

Hidden Valley High School designated Thursday, Oct. 22, as Passionately Pink Day or Titans Wear Pink Day. Two clubs at HVHS, DECA and FCCLA joined forces and encouraged students to wear pink shirts in order to created a human pink ribbon during 7th-period.

According to Elizabeth Davis, marketing teacher and DECA coordinator, about 400 students participated in creating the pink ribbon and about half the student body participated by wearing pink. There are 1,100 students at HVHS.

"This is the first time we've done something for this," Davis said. "We have a very supportive administrative staff and student body. When it involves community service and involvement they are really supportive. It makes for a more well-rounded student."

Davis said that the two clubs decided to work together and do something for Breast Cancer Awareness month about two weeks before. Students helped decorate the building and handed out fliers to students to encourage them to wear pink.

This event was particularly special to several teachers at HVHS who are breast cancer survivors, including Davis, Pat Ammen and Sara Cann.

"As we watched everyone in pink we teared up numerous times," Davis said. "I was surprised that they picked this particular community type project, but our students here are so community oriented. They are very receptive, their minds are geared towards things like this. Three of us have had breast cancer and other teachers have had other kinds of cancer and I think think they're just into that kind of thing because we've had so many tragedies."

Ammen said that many teachers were involved in this project as well and donated $5 to wear jeans for a week, then they decided to donate $20 a piece to wear jeans all week.

"That's when it all started," Ammen said. "It snowballed from there. Everyone was like, 'let's wear pink.' I've used this opportunity to educate my students also."

Ammen said that in Roanoke, one in five women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives.

"We are very vocal about cancer and education. We are actively involved and we pass that along to the students. It's in our society so much that we need to be education people younger and younger," Ammen said.

"Everyone seems to know someone who has been affect by breast canacer or some kind of cancer. If we can make somen and anyone more aware of breast cancer and other cancers, have early detections, colon rectal screenings, mammograms, we've done our job," Davis said.

Their pink ribbon was a success and the teacher are very proud of the support they've received from their students.

"All I can say is we have an awesome student body. They just rise to the occasion. All the teachers and faculty here are so lucky to have this student body," Davis said.

"We could not have done it without the support of the students. It was absolutely incredible to walk into school today and see a sea of pink. I just cant say enough about the kids around here. They are just terrific," Ammen said.

HVHS students also created a human VT ribbon during the Virginia Tech tragedy on April 16.

Cave Spring Middle hosts prevention session for parents

The Prevention Council of Roanoke County and Cave Spring Middle and High School PTA's invited parents and students to attend a Panel Discussion about Prevention on Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Cave Spring Middle School.

Parents that attended the event learned how to break down the communication barriers with their children, hot to help children avoid risky behavior, and make healthy choices.

Speakers for the night included, The Honorable Phillip Trompeter, Marian Kelley, Chief Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Roanoke County, the Prevention Council of Roanoke County, Officer Dan Walters from Cave Spring Middle School, Caroline Overfelt, e-Learning Coordinator, Student Assistance Program Coordinator's amd Middle and High School youth.

Foodies provided refreshments.

Statistics from the event (Prevention Council said that numbers were relatively equivalent to HVMS and HVHS):

13.8 percent CSMS, 20.3 percent CSHS, of students report sending intimidating or threatening text messages.

22.1 percent CSMS, 28.1 percent CSHS, of students receive intimidating or threatening text messages.

29.2 percent CSMS, 25.6 percent CSHS, of students said their parents would be nervous to learn what they do on the Internet.

21.2 percent CSMS, 62.8 percent CSHS, of students have tried alcohol.

10.4 percent CSMS, 38.0 percent CSHS, of students drank alcohol in the past 30 days.

50.9 percent CSMS, 26.7 percent CSHS, of students have obtained alcohol from home.

46.2 percent CSMS, 79.4 percent CSHS, of students say alcohol is easy to obtain.

13.8 percent CSMS, 16.3 percent CSHS, of students have used inhalants to get high.

4.8 percent CSMS, 18.8 percent CSHS, of students have taken prescription drugs to get high.

9.5 percent CSMS, 34.8 percent CSHS, have used marijuana one or more times.

8.6 percent of CSHS students have used cocaine in the past 30 days.

9.5 percent of CSHS students have ever tried heroin.

The Prevention Council of Roanoke County said that it will take an entire community to change these statistics in Roanoke County and that parents are the first line of defense.

They encouraged parents to engage in their child's life and be role models.

Parents must talk and communication with their children, set rules and expect them to be followed, monitor and know their friends and their friend's parents, maintain rituals like family dinners, incorporate a faith life, know resources in the community and engage the community to keep the environment safe and healthy.

Hidden Valley holds book fair at Barnes & Noble

Start your holiday shopping early! HVHS library invites you to our Barnes and Noble Bookfair at Tanglewood. This event runs from Saturday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 12. Present the HVHS voucher found on the school website, www.rcs.k12.va.us/hvhs/newsletters/2009_09/voucher.pdf, with any purchase made on these dates, and our school will receive 15-25% of the net sales.

Barnes and Noble carries books, movies, calendars, chocolates, coffee, games, puzzles, plush animals, appointment books, and so much more! All purchases count, including Café purchases. And, if you shop on Saturday, Nov. 7, you can have your purchases gift wrapped by HVHS students and staff for free!

Other events that will be happening at our bookfair include an art show by HVHS students and an American Girl party hosted by HVHS students. We will also have two drawings for Titan Spirit Baskets that include all kinds of Titan spirtwear and a pass to all home athletic events. Come out and join us!

Remember your purchase must be accompanied by our voucher for us to get a percentage back. These vouchers may be used by anyone on these dates. We encourage you to give them out, and ask friends and family for their support. Thanks for your help!

Submitted by Lauren Sprouse, Hidden Valley High School librarian

North Cross Middle School meets Miss Virginia

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, North Cross Middle School students got the opportunity to meet Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron. Cameron spoke to the students at 2 p.m. in Fishburn Auditorium on her presentation, "Real Talk: AIDS in America" about peer pressure and making good choices.

Cameron is 22 years old and a student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Over the course of the year she has visited 40 middle schools in Virginia about respect and making positive choices. She told the students to respect others and respect themselves.

Miss Virginia visits North Cross students each year and after her presentation students were able to ask her questions and take a photo with her.

Cameron is pursuing a degree in broadcast communications. At VCU, she was named to the dean's list and has received academic honors for her scholastic achievements. She is a native of Fredericksburg, and has earned more than $35,000 in scholarship dollars through her participation in the Miss America Organization.

After serving as Miss Virginia, Cameron will complete her bachelor's degree and pursue a Masters degree in mass communications, and she hopes to become a leading anchor in television news. Cameron is also the recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award and she was presented with a Congressional Honor for her community service endeavors in Virginia. 

HopeTree, Roanoke County schools sign contract

Students formerly attending the Roland E. Cook Alternative Education Center in Roanoke County have found a new home, academically speaking.

On October 8, Roanoke County Schools and HopeTree Family Services agreed to a 5-year contract in which HopeTree Family Services will provide alternative education services for up to 20 Roanoke County students who need specialized or alternative settings for academic success. These services will be provided through the Agency's on-campus school, HopeTree Academy.

HopeTree Academy is fully licensed by the Virginia Association of Independent Educational Facilities to award six different types of high school diplomas as well as the General Equivalency Diploma. The Academy provides alternative education services to its residents, as well as to students from the community on a day-school basis, who need a smaller teacher/student environment for academic success. Through dual-enrollment with Virginia Western Community College, 'on-the-job' training, and apprenticeship agreements with area businesses, HopeTree Academy students have access to job training in over 20 different career fields ranging from Building Trades to Auto Mechanics to Health Care.

HopeTree Family Services provides a wide range of residential placement programs for at-risk children and youth across Virginia. The Agency has a strong reputation for providing quality care. HopeTree Family Services also operates a network of 16 group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Anyone interested in learning more about education at HopeTree Family Services should contact Dr. Tommy Barber, Education Director or Mandy Bannock, School Social Worker, at 540-389-4941.

Submitted by Mark Early

Cave Spring Elementary gets ExxonMobil grant

Cave Spring Elementary School has received a $750 grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program. Stop in Food Stores, Inc. worked with school officials to secure the grant which is one of 2,400 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations. The grants were made possible by funding the Exxon Mobil Corporation.

"Cave Spring Elementary School works hard to make learning interesting and fun," said Roy Foutz of Stop In Food Stores. "As an Exxon dealer, we are proud to help young people of the Roanoke Valley."

The ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon and Mobil retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools.

Submitted by Chuck Lionberger, Roanoke County Schools

Back Creek Elementary holds Fall Harvest Bash

The Back Creek Elementary School community had a blast this weekend at its annual Fall Harvest Bash held on Saturday from 11 to 2 p.m. A yard and bake sale was held throughout the day as well, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Despite the wind and the rain on Friday night, Back Creek adapted by moving most activities indoors. Students and their parents participated in everything from a football toss and karaoke to face and hair painting.