Tuesday, August 12, 2008
State's mental health department seeks input on new name
Have you heard?
JoAnne Poindexter
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The deadline for commenting on a name change for the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services has been extended to Friday.
A department e-mail news release said many Virginians, including legislators and advocates, have complained about the department's long, 20-year-old name and acronym.
Other states have updated agency names to reflect current values and perceptions and to address feelings about certain language and biases, the release said.
The choices are Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Supportive Services, Department of Behavioral and Supportive Services and Department of Supportive and Recovery Services.
Residents can select one of the recommended names or submit an alternate and send their preferences to ruthanne.walker@co.dmhmrsas. virginia.gov, with the phrase "Name Change Survey Response" in the subject line, or send their choices to the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, P.O. Box 1797, Richmond, VA 23218-1797. They can also call (800) 451-5544; Voice TDD: (804) 371-8977; or fax (804) 371-6638.
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Army Reserve Pfc. Natalie Andrews has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Sandra Noell of Vinton.
Army Reserve Spec. Sasa Ackar has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the military operations involving U.S. armed forces and coalition forces in Iraq.
Ackar, a mechanic for light-wheeled vehicles, is a member of the 444th Human Resources Company based in Pittsburgh and has served in the military for five years. He is the son of Mehmed and Ifeta Ackar of Roanoke and a 2003 graduate of William Fleming High School.
Army Reserve Pvt. Christopher Hoyt has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
Hoyt is the brother of Bill Hoyt of Roanoke and a 2006 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton.
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Matthew Cavin of Roanoke recently was inducted into the national economics honor society Omicron Delta Epsilon at Valparaiso University.
Cavin is a senior international business and economics major and the son of James and Alice Cavin of Roanoke.
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Salem resident Kaytlyn Washenberger, a 10th-grader at Glenvar High School and a member of Christian Life International Church, won first place in vocal solo-female competition during the National Fine Arts Festival in Daytona Beach, Fla., in late July.
The International Pentecostal Holiness Church hosts the festival, where participants compete in categories ranging from vocal and instrumental performance to dance, mime, painting, speech and creative writing.
Kaytlyn received a gold medal and a scholarship package to Southwestern Christian University or Emmanuel College. Both schools are affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
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Stevie Shropshire, daughter of Cindy Shropshire-Byrd and B. Steven Byrd of Moneta, returned from deployment on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24.
The Lincoln is deployed to the Navy's 5th Fleet, which supports maritime security operations.
Shropshire has been in the Persian Gulf and various other ports since March. Upon her return to Roanoke, she'll serve in the Reserves.
She is a 2004 graduate of Patrick Henry High School and has been stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California since November 2004.
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The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation have presented $1,000 scholarships to four students from Roanoke County and Salem.
The two organizations established their scholarship program in 1996. The awards are based on career goals, work ethic, community involvement and financial need.
This year's scholarship recipients are:
Michael Tolley, a 2008 Salem High School graduate who is active in technical programs, including diesel mechanics and auto service. He also is active in martial arts and teaches self-defense classes at churches. He'll study diesel mechanics at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
Sean Guzman, a 2008 Northside High School graduate who studied welding at Arnold R. Burton Technology Center. He was a member of the honor society and participated on forensics and debate teams and SkillsUSA. He plans to attend Virginia Western Community College or Liberty University.
Cara Jennings, a 2008 Salem High graduate, participated in the National and Spanish honor societies, visual arts club, environmental club and the Pride of Salem Marching Band. She also was selected as a People to People student ambassador for the school and has been accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University.
Melissa McDonald, a 2008 graduate of Glenvar High School, is planning to pursue a degree in early childhood education and special education at Lipscomb University or Radford University. She was active in track and field and studied early childhood education at Arnold R. Burton, where she was twice named student of the month.
