Sponsored jointly by the Virginia
High School League and the Virginia High School Coaches Association, the hall
is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of outstanding achievements by
students and adults in sports and activities within Virginia’s public high
schools.
The Class of 2003 includes two
athletes, three coaches and three contributors. Athletes are eligible for
consideration 10 years after completion of their high school careers and are
judged primarily for their achievements in interscholastic sports. Coaches are
eligible after 15 years’ experience or upon retirement and are judged on the
merits of their achievements at the high school level. Contributors are those
who have rendered significant services in some other capacity, including
administrators, academic activities, officials, media and sports medicine.
The induction is set for the
DoubleTree Hotel in Charlottesville on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Athletes
Barry Hamler
Powell Valley High School
Barry Hamler led Powell Valley to a 99-11 record over four years of basketball
from 1972-1976, including four consecutive district crowns, three Region D
titles and a state championship. He set school records for points scored with
2,094 and rebounds with 1,924, while adding 251 assists. All-State for three
years, he capped his career by being named captain of the West squad in the
1976 VHSCA All-Star game. He went on to coach at Booker T. Washington High
School and Elizabeth City State University.
Grant Hill
South Lakes High School
The first freshman starter in South Lakes history in 1986, Grant Hill went on
to score 2,028 points, 296 assists, 943 rebounds, 145 blocked shots and 254
steals on the way to becoming a Parade Magazine third team All-American in
1990. But school officials remember him first and foremost for putting
academics first and serving as a role model for a generation. He went on to
star at Duke University, and then in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons and
Orlando Magic.
Coaches
Stephen Hubbard
Coeburn High School
Baseball coach at Coeburn for 34 years, Steve Hubbard’s teams have won 449*
games. He has been selected Lonesome Pine District Coach of the Year nine
times and in 1988 won both Virginia Coach of the Year and National Federation
Region 2 Coach of the Year honors. His teams have won two state championships,
in 1975 and 1979, and finished second in 1995. He has also coached football,
wrestling, track and basketball and serves as the school’s athletic
director.
* As of 5/13/03
Joe May
Nottoway High School
Football coach at Nottoway since the school opened in 1970, Joe May’s teams
have earned a record of 251-112-7, winning 15 Southside District crowns, six
regional titles and two state championships, in 1991 and 1998, while also
finishing second three times. He was named Virginia High School Football Coach
of the Year in 1997 and twice won Group AA honors. He has coached five VHSCA
All-Star games. Since 1991, he has served as the school’s athletic director.
Lillie Moore
George Wythe High School
Volleyball and track coach at George Wythe for 28 years, Lillie Moore’s
teams have won six state championships. With a 416-123 record, her volleyball
teams have won 77 percent of their games, winning state titles in 1992, 1994,
1997 and 2001 and finishing second in 1993. Her track teams have recorded 233*
wins, taking state championships in 1993 and 1994 and finishing second in
1990. She twice earned National Federation Section 2 Volleyball Coach of the
Year honors, in 1993 and 1995.
* As of 5/13/03
Contributors
Karen Finch
Blacksburg High School
With 14 straight state forensics crowns, every title since team competition
began, Karen Finch holds the VHSL record for consecutive championships in any
sport or activity. In individual competition, 40 of her students have won VHSL
championships, with nine taking national titles. She was a founding member of
the Virginia Association of Speech and Debate Coaches and a leader for its
Coaches Clinic. An NFL Triple Diamond Coach, she was the1999 National
Federation Section 2 Speech Coach of the Year.
Cecil Layman, Jr.
Riverheads High School
Culminating 33 years with the Augusta County Schools, Cecil Layman served as
principal of Riverheads High School from 1962 until 1988. He served 12 years
as a district officer, two terms on the Region C board and four years on the
League’s Executive Committee, two of those as Group A chairman. He also
served the League on the Sportsmanship Committee for Group A basketball and on
the Committee on Suggested Legislation. Even in retirement he continues as an
announcer for track meets.
Judy Wallace
Abingdon High School
A pioneer in women’s athletics in Virginia since 1965, Judy Wallace has been
a teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal. She organized and
coached track, volleyball, basketball, golf and tennis programs for girls and
introduced softball, soccer and swimming teams. She is the first female to
receive triple honors as Volleyball Coach-of-the-Year, VIAAA Athletic
Director-of-the-Year and VASSP Assistant Principal-of-the-Year. Her volleyball
team won the VHSL state championship in 1983.
Nominations for the Hall of Fame
are due October 31 of each year, for induction the following fall. Nomination
must be made through members of the VHSL or VHSCA, and those interested in
nominating deserving individuals may secure a nomination packet from Sharon
Condoulis at the VHSL office (434-977-8475).
Previous inductees in the Virginia
High School Hall of Fame include:
1990: Athletes - Keith Atherton,
Edd Clark Jr., Carroll Dale, Doug Dickinson, Benton Dodd and Ralph Sampson.
Coaches - Jimmie Bryan, Fred Cooper, Bobby Crantz, Howard Deel, Bill
Littlepage, Billy Martin, Alger Pugh, George Quarles Jr., Mike Smith and
Gracie VanDyke. Contributors - John Caywood, Greever Crouse, Bob Frank, Art
Greene, Marshall Johnson, Bill Pace and John Youngblood.
1991: Athletes - Ollan Cassell,
Moses Malone, Sidney Snell and Bobby Stokes. Coaches - Vince Bradford, Julius
Conn, Ralph Cummins, Pat Dean, Chester Fritz, Harry Fry, Husky Hall, Bill Long
and Lefty Wilson. Contributors - Richard Fletcher, Hubert Grim Jr., Ben Hurt,
Norm Lord, Frank McCue and Chuck Savedg
1992: Athletes - Johnny Oates,
Tommy Theodose and Ben Valley. Coaches - Gordon Bragg, James (Suey) Eason,
John Epperly, Del Norwood, Charlie Nuttycombe, Al Rinaldi and Paul Sizemore.
Contributors - Harry Blevins, Eddie Crane, George Gasser, Clarence Jones,
Robert McLelland, Barbara Reinwald and Gene Thompson.
1993: Athlete - Paul Gentry.
Coaches - Ken Brown, Bob Hardage, Charlie Harkins, Jim Holdren and Thad
Madden. Contributors - Vic Blue, Joel Grimm, Bob McCoy and Wendell Seldon.
1994: Athletes - Raymond Crouch
and Frank Eastman. Coaches - Francis (Boodie) Albert, Welton Bloxsom, Pete
Brewbaker, Louise Martin and Joe Robinson. Contributors - Carl Deane, Earl
Gillespie, Jimmy Jones, Charles Karmosky and Bert Smith.
1995: Athlete - Jeff Baker.
Coaches - Eddie Dean, Paul Hatcher and Claude Warren. Contributors - Hud
Clark, Don Riviere and James (Smokey) Stover.
1996: Athlete - Jacob Adams.
Coaches - Donald Glick, Joan Hudson, Norman Lineburg, Ronald Skeen and Robert
Williams. Contributors: Nancy Haga and James Omps.
1997: Athletes - Eric Sievers and
Tom Trice. Coaches - Ed Henry, Phil Robbins and Frank Webster. Contributors -
Robert Carson, Bill Knowles, Bill Lee and Betty Morton.
1998: Athletes – Paula Girven
and Barty Smith. Coaches – Glynn Carlock, Nancy Fowlkes, Ann Lockett and
Mack Shupe. Contributors – Richard Fitz, Charles Kurtz and Bob Sandell.
1999: Coaches – A.K. Johnson,
Bill Lawson and Sam Woods. Contributors – Jennifer Bradley, Jim Carroll and
Larry Pence.
2000: Athletes – Jackie Gordon,
Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, Buster O’Brien and Ken Willard. Coaches – Kate
Carter and Chip Chappell. Contributors – Delmer Botkin, Bill Leffler and Bob
Patterson.
2001: Athlete – Robert Banks.
Coaches – Bill Brown, Jim Cutler and Willis White. Contributors – Buddy
Comer, Ralph Harrison, Nancy Ruth Patterson and Jim Sangston.
2002: Athlete – Tamela Penny.
Coaches – Pat Austin, Gerald Burke, Eddie Icenhour and Glenn Proctor.
Contributors – Claudia Dodson, Carol Lange and Hugh Pendleton.
#
May 28, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Zimorski,
434-977-8475
Six students receive recognition
for outstanding citizenship
Wachovia Bank and the Virginia High School League will present
$1,000 Citizenship Award scholarships to six students selected for outstanding
service to others in 2002-03.
Students were selected based on their participation in at
least one VHSL activity, volunteer contributions to family, school or
community and submission of an essay.
Group A
Katherine M.Timp – John S. Battle High School
Enhancing the quality of life for others best describes Timp’s commitment to
citizenship. She describes having learned compassion, perseverance and
unconditional love from assisting with the care of a disabled sibling.
Assisting the disabled and less fortunate has also become her community goal
with efforts in the area of fundraising for medical equipment and therapy
services. Timp has also been involved as a volunteer with Special Olympics and
preschool elementary handicapped students. She has been active in numerous
VHSL activities including basketball, softball, volleyball, drama, forensics
and scholastic bowl and has served as president of both the high school
National Honor Society and the Student Booster Club.
Matthew D. Rowe – Northumberland High School
Rowe’s passion for the environment influenced many of his current activities
and plays a role in his goals. He attended the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s
School for Mathematics and Environmental Sciences and intends to pursue a
degree in environmental science specializing in environmental law. He is
described by his counselor as a "…dedicated, hard working and diligent
role model for the student body at Northumberland." These characteristics
have served Rowe well in the numerous leadership positions he has held in
school clubs and activities. He has participated in baseball, basketball,
golf, forensics, scholastic bowl and yearbook.
Group AA
Carrie Anne Perdue – Tazewell High School
A serious preseason knee injury ended Perdue’s junior basketball season but
was the springboard for an internship that stimulated her interest to become a
pediatrician or orthopedist. Despite missing an entire season, she went on to
become the all-time leading female scorer at Tazewell. In addition to
basketball, Perdue has been active in soccer, softball, volleyball, creative
writing, forensics and scholastic bowl. Her citizenship activities include
involvement in a summer enrichment program for special students, elementary
DARE activities, Cancer Society Relay for Life and physical and occupational
pool therapy services.
Dale Trent Parker – Massaponax High School
Despite a profound hearing impairment, Parker has not allowed his disability
to hinder his success as a student, athlete or citizen. He has participated in
golf and excelled in swimming at the state and national levels. He serves as a
motivational speaker with the DARE program and has been a mentor and counselor
at a summer camp for deaf children. Parker’s motivation and dedication have
led to his high level of academic success as well his selection as
vice-president of both his senior class and the National Honor Society.
Group AAA
Jacqueline Norman – Gloucester High School
Service to others can best describe Norman’s high school experience and her
future goals. In addition to her participation in cheer and both indoor and
outdoor track, she volunteers at the Laurel Shelter for assaulted and abused
women, where she supervises the children of the women in residence. She also
teaches French in a local elementary after-school enrichment program and
spends time with the elderly at a local convalescent center. Norman’s
service to others will continue as she intends to major in pre-medicine with
the eventual goal of becoming a pediatrician.
Patrick D. Kiley – Gloucester High School
Legally blind since birth, Kiley utilizes special educational tools and
equipment to achieve academic success. One of his teachers in her letter of
recommendation states, " It is rare that a student overcomes as many
obstacles and emerges with the accolades that he has earned. He has become an
example to us, as professionals." Kiley has participated in various
church community projects, food banks, Habitat for Humanity, public service
projects throughout the commonwealth and in Mexico and is a student
representative on the advisory board of the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation
Center. In addition, he has been a two-year member of the crew program at
Gloucester.
#
May 8, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE-VHSL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
RICHMOND, VA--Ten high school seniors have been selected to
receive $1,000 scholarships as winners of Farm Bureau Insurance-VHSL
Achievement Awards. A selection committee of educators, media members and Farm
Bureau Insurance representatives selected the ten winners from a pool of 39
regional finalists. The Farm Bureau Insurance – VHSL Achievement Awards are
the Virginia High School League’s premier program for recognition of
individual students involved in athletic and academic activities.
Group A - Male Athlete: Christopher Pierson - James Monroe
High School
Christopher is an outstanding athlete who has led three teams to state
competition in each of the last two years. He has earned 12 varsity letters,
four in golf, four in tennis, three in swimming and one in track. He is the
first James Monroe Yellow Jacket to advance to state championship play in golf
in more than 15 years. He also has received several awards in tennis including
the team’s Most Valuable Player Award and the Coach’s Award. Besides his
athletic performance, Christopher maintained a grade point average of 4.68,
serves as yearbook editor and is involved in numerous student organizations
including the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Key Club, Young
Republicans, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Interact Club. He is
also an active member of the community as an Eagle Scout, a volunteer at the
Moss Free Clinic and Special Olympics coach.
Group A - Female Athlete: Anne Maynard, George Mason High
School
Anne has lettered seven times, four in track, two in cross-country and one in
basketball. She has received numerous honors for her athletic achievements
including being named the Most Outstanding Track and Field Athlete and being
named District and Regional Cross-Country Runner of the Year two years in a
row! She has won a state championship in the 800m run and finished sixth this
year in state cross-country. Among all of this athletic excellence, Anne has
managed to maintain a 4.60 grade point average. She is active in Students
Against Destructive Decisions, National Honor Society and Key Club and serves
as the school mascot. She volunteers with Falls Church Parks and Recreation
and at Sunrise Assisted Living.
Group A - Academic Activities: Brandon Farmer, Galax High
School
Lights! Camera! Action! These are words Brandon seems sure to hear as he
progresses into his career as an actor. Celebrated for his musical talent, his
comic timing, his physical acting and his depth of character, Brandon has won
state awards for outstanding acting for four consecutive years as his school
won the state theatre championship once and finished second twice. He also won
four straight state forensics championships, each in a different event. Active
in community theatre, he wrote, created the sets and directed a cast of 55 in
his own Easter pageant and formed a drama company that toured the East Coast
and performed at Ground Zero in New York City. He also has played baseball and
competed in track and field and cross-country, is active in the music program
at his church and hosts community events as a local radio personality.
Group AA - Male Athlete: Alec Lorenzoni, Western Albemarle
High School
Alec has won 12 athletic letters throughout his high school career: four in
cross-country, four in indoor track and four in outdoor track. His
cross-country team won two consecutive state championships in his freshman and
sophomore years, and he was the team’s most valuable runner as a junior and
team captain as a senior. He finished fifth in the 1600m run at the state
outdoor meet in 2002 and helped his 4X800 relay team to second place. He is a
member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor
Society and Physics Club and is co-founder of the Ultimate Frisbee Club. He
made a week-long mission trip with his church to Mexico to build a home and
two weekend mission trips to Washington, D.C. to help in a soup kitchen and
paint low-income apartments. Alec has maintained a 3.68 grade point average
and won top awards as a pianist.
Group AA - Female Athlete: Laura Stone, Salem High School
Laura has earned nine letters: three in volleyball, three in soccer, two in
basketball and one in outdoor track, winning honors across the board as
captain and for sportsmanship, will-to-win and unsung hero. She has served on
the student government as class vice-president and was a board member of the
Junior Honor Association, the National Honor Society and the German Honor
Society and participated in Keyettes, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and
Character Counts. She also served as homecoming queen. In addition to her
school involvement, she also works in the community as a volunteer, helping
with church activities, local political campaigns, Junior Olympics, Virginia
Commonwealth Games and at Snyder’s Nursing Home. She has maintained a 3.9
grade point average.
Group AA - Academic Activities: Melinda Sathre, Graham High
School
Active in drama, forensics, creative writing and scholastic bowl, Melinda
placed among the top three in state forensics for two consecutive years. Plays
she appeared in have twice finished among the top four at state. Her grade
point average is 4.18, and she has been described as respectful, courteous and
gracious. She will graduate as valedictorian and is a National Merit
Scholarship finalist. Melinda is also involved in the Marching Band, Beta
Club, Photography Club, Bible Club, Student Council Association and the
Interact Club. Her work in the community includes the church youth group, the
church handbell choir, the church youth choir, the junior hospital volunteer
program, a mission trip to Mexico and the American Cancer Society’s Relay
for Life.
Group AAA - Male Athlete: Andrew Colangelo, W.T. Woodson
High School
Andrew has earned 11 varsity letters, including four in football, four in
lacrosse and three in wrestling. As a freshman, his lacrosse team won the
unofficial state championship. He is also the captain of both the football and
wrestling teams and was named MVP for football in 2002. Andrew maintains a
3.90 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society, the
National Spanish Honor Society and the Math Team. Andrew has volunteered at
Muscular Dystrophy Camp for the past two years and as a volunteer official for
youth football, lacrosse and wrestling programs.
Group AAA - Female Athlete: Jennifer Boyd, Hickory High
School
Jennifer has earned 12 letters, including four in indoor track, four in
outdoor track, two in cross-country and two in field hockey. Jennifer also
earned the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Award for Scholarship/
Athletics/ Citizenship for Virginia. She has been named Metropolitan Runner of
the Year by the Norfolk Sports Club and Female Cross Country Runner of the
Year by the Tidewater Striders Running Club. She is the Virginia state
champion in indoor track and outdoor track at 3200m and indoors at 1600m. She
finished sixth in the mile at this year’s Milrose Games in Madison Square
Gardens. Undefeated in cross-country as a senior, she is the first female from
Hampton Roads to win that state championship in 22 years. Also active in
German Club Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society,
Fellowship of Christian Athletes and orchestra, she has a grade point average
of 4.80.
Group AAA - Academic Activities: Heather Lehman, Frank Cox
High School
A gifted writer, Heather won the state championship for essay writing in a
school folder that also won the VHSL state championship in creative writing.
She is also editor of the school’s literary/art magazine, Wingspan, and has
been instrumental in redesigning the publication. She has also earned 12
athletic letters, four each in cross-country, swimming and track, competing at
states in all three sports. Heather has maintained a 4.04 grade point average.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council Executive
Committee and was Homecoming Queen in 2002. She is active in her church and
coaches in a summer recreation league swimming program.
Andrew Mullins Courageous Achievement Award: Mary Catherine
French, Stafford High School
Mary Catherine has been battling cerebral palsy for 15 years, a battle that
involves hours of hard work daily and incredible determination. Even though
Mary Catherine’s condition has affected her perceptual and motor skills, she
has maintained a rigorous course load and active involvement in VHSL
activities in scholastic bowl, student newspaper and literary magazine. She
captained the scholastic bowl team and was its leading scorer, and she was a
content editor of both publications. She is a soloist for the Stafford
Regional Choral Society, student representative on the Stafford County Gifted
Advisory Committee and a member of National Honor Society, Battle of the
Brains Team and Latin Club and a freshman mentor. She ranks fourth in her
class with a grade point average of 4.61.
Awards have been presented since 1992 to the outstanding male
athlete, female athlete and academic activities participant in Groups A, AA
and AAA. One student is also recognized for courageous achievement in
overcoming exceptional circumstances to find success in VHSL activities. This
year, a total of 304 students were nominated by 136 public high schools.
Students must have earned a minimum 3.00 grade point average
and have made significant contributions to VHSL activities. The League offers
athletic competition in baseball, boys and girls basketball, cheer, boys and
girls cross country, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, boys and girls
soccer, softball, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls tennis, boys and
girls indoor and outdoor track, boys and girls volleyball and wrestling.
Academic activities are student publications (newspaper, magazine and
yearbook), creative writing, theatre, forensics, debate and scholastic bowl.
Many nominees are also heavily involved in other activities
and volunteer work in the school and in the community. A completed application
includes a student essay, letters of recommendation from two people who know
the student’s work well and endorsement by the school principal.
The VHSL is an outgrowth of the Washington and Jefferson
Societies at the University of Virginia, and today includes 298 accredited
public schools. More than 130,000 students participate each year in VHSL
athletic programs, and an additional 20,000 students take part in VHSL
academic programs.
Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Services is committed to
providing products that best meet the insurance needs of Virginia's families
and small businesses. A membership organization with more than 132,000
members, Virginia Farm Bureau also offers a wide range of financial planning
products and services.
For more information contact Andy Gillis at (804) 290-1206 or
via email at andy.gillis@vafb.com.
#
May 8, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE-VHSL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
RICHMOND, VA--A selection committee of educators, media
members and Farm Bureau Insurance representatives has named 39 regional
finalists for the 2003 Farm Bureau Insurance – VHSL Achievement Awards. From
these regional winners, ten state winners will be selected to receive $1,000
scholarships. The Farm Bureau Insurance-VHSL Achievement Awards are the
Virginia High School League’s premier program for recognition of individual
students involved in athletic and academic activities.
Awards have been presented since 1992 to the outstanding male
athlete, female athlete and academic activities participant in Groups A, AA
and AAA. One student is also recognized for courageous achievement in
overcoming exceptional circumstances to find success in VHSL activities. This
year, a total of 304 students were nominated by 136 public high schools.
Students must have earned a minimum 3.00 grade point average
and have made significant contributions to VHSL activities. The League offers
athletic competition in baseball, boys and girls basketball, cheer, boys and
girls cross country, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, boys and girls
soccer, softball, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls tennis, boys and
girls indoor and outdoor track, boys and girls volleyball and wrestling.
Academic activities are student publications (newspaper, magazine and
yearbook), creative writing, theatre, forensics, debate and scholastic bowl.
Many nominees are also heavily involved in other activities
and volunteer work in the school and in the community. A completed application
includes a student essay, letters of recommendation from two people who know
the student’s work well and endorsement by the school principal.
The VHSL is an outgrowth of the Washington and Jefferson
Societies at the University of Virginia, and today includes 298 accredited
public schools. More than 130,000 students participate each year in VHSL
athletic programs, and an additional 20,000 students take part in VHSL
academic programs.
Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Services is committed to
providing products that best meet the insurance needs of Virginia's families
and small businesses. A membership organization with more than 132,000
members, Virginia Farm Bureau also offers a wide range of financial planning
products and services.
For more information contact Andy Gillis at (804) 290-1206 or
via email at andy.gillis@vafb.com.
2003 Farm Bureau Insurance – VHSL Achievement Award Regional
Winners
Group A - Male Athlete
Region A - Christopher Pierson - James Monroe High School
Region B - Brandon Price, Page County High School
Region C - Tyrus Gardner, George Wythe High School
Region D - Jonathan Hess, Council High School
Group A - Female Athlete
Region A - Britney Ball, West Point High School
Region B - Anne Maynard, George Mason High School
Region C - Anna Carpenter, Giles High School
Region D - Terri Anne Hill, Saint Paul High School
Group A - Academic Activities
Region A - Justin Castonguay, West Point High School
Region B - Jessie Pastore, Madison County High School
Region C - Brandon Farmer, Galax High School
Region D - Aaron Bentley, John I. Burton High School
Group AA - Male Athlete
Region I - Michael Stredney, Powhatan High School
Region II - Alec Lorenzoni, Western Albemarle High School
Region III - Jason Chalfant, Brookville High School
Region IV - Justin Hughes, Marion Senior High School
Group AA - Female Athlete
Region I - Elysa Miller, Spotsylvania High School
Region II - Julianne Coleman, Orange County High School
Region III - Laura Stone, Salem High School
Region IV - Carter Johnson, Graham High School
Group AA - Academic Activities
Region I - Owen Gentry, Tabb High School
Region II - Hillary Barry, Western Albemarle High School
Region III - Kristina Lewis, Brookville High School
Region IV - Melinda Sathre, Graham High School
Group AAA - Male Athlete
Central Region - Noah Eisenberg, Clover Hill High School
Eastern Region - Douglas Ornoff, Hickory High School
Northern Region - Andrew Colangelo, W.T. Woodson High School
Northwest Region - Scott Martin, George Washington High School
Group AAA - Female Athlete
Central Region - Ashley Albers, Clover Hill High School
Eastern Region - Jennifer Boyd, Hickory High School
Northern Region - Jennifer Chapman, Westfield High School
Northwest Region - Eliza Evans, E.C. Glass High School
Group AAA - Academic Activities
Central Region - Rebecca Sampson, Clover Hill High School
Eastern Region - Heather Lehman, Frank Cox High School
Northern Region - Stephanie Shaw, James Robinson High School
Northwest Region - Rodney Clark, Stafford Senior High School
Courageous Achievement Finalists
Mary Catherine French, Stafford Senior High School
Lacey A Brian, Strasburg High School
Lauren Gagen-Cheeney, W.T. Woodson High School
#
May 8, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2003 VHSL Student Journalist of
the Year
An outstanding writer who builds on exceptional reporting,
Sarah Gatsos, McLean High School, has been named the Virginia High School
League’s Student Journalist of the Year and will receive the Charles Savedge
Scholarship for 2003.
However, the selection committee said the 32 nominees for the
award constituted one of the most outstanding groups they had ever considered,
and they recognized three finalists for the award: Erin Harpine, Broadway High
School; Colleen Laurence, Frank Cox High School; and Allison Murphy, Ocean
Lakes High School.
Gatsos has served as copy editor, advertising manager and
business manager for Highlander, the McLean student newspaper. As a junior,
she was selected as a finalist in the National Council of Teachers of English
writing contest, and she has won two gold keys for news writing from Quill and
Scroll.
She said that writing is a craft not easily suppressed:
"Those deeply afflicted with the disease simply need to write, as others
need to sing or draw. I am the artist, the piece is my creation, carefully
weaved tighter. Journalism gives me the power to inform, cause change,
evaluate. Where others are afraid, journalists are fearless."
Gatsos said of herself, "I am the kind of girl who will
not take no for an answer. My stubborn attitude coupled with an intense desire
to know the ‘five w’s and an h’ firmly embedded in my brain propel me to
chase after stories, leads. I want all the answers. There is a vision I see
for each of my pieces, a way I want it to flow, the tone I want it to
encompass."
But it all starts with reporting, Gatsos said: "This is
the plight of the journalist, making people who otherwise would not feel
comfortable feel comfortable pouring out details after a few probing
questions. The interview is key; the whole story is constructed based on what
these sources say. I have to be ready to ask why, how, change the order of my
questions, insert new questions, follow my source down winding paths to reach
the answer. I have to coddle my sources and conjure them to tell me their
story.
"I use the quotes as a musician uses notes, to create a
piece that speaks for itself. Inevitably, this process generates more
questions, which lead to more interviewing. A story is never 100 percent
complete; it is only the version the reporter is most satisfied with."
"The best writers are news writers," she said,
"because they can take a boring mound of clay and shape it into a
creation that all can understand through sharp, clever leads, effective and
efficient word choice and, the most important ingredient, tasty quotes."
The selection committee noted that Gatsos’ position as
business manager is out of sync with her passion for writing.
"Most students want to avoid the business side of
journalism," said her adviser Becky Sipos, "and Sarah is no
exception. Nevertheless, she saw that we needed leadership on the business
staff and agreed to do it."
"She has been a godsend," Sipos said, as she
described Gatsos’ success in organizing the staff’s business program and
advertising campaigns.
One of the strongest yearbook candidates for the Savedge
scholarship in years, Harpine is editor of Memories at Broadway. Outstanding
in both writing and design, she impressed judges with her work ethic and staff
leadership in what they described as a dogged pursuit of excellence.
A three-year staff member Laurence is editor-in-chief of
Cox’s Falcon Press. Judges noted her sense of enthusiasm and energy, a
wonderful diversity in the subject matter of her stories and her leadership in
publishing a back-to-school issue on the first day of classes.
An award winner in the Virginia Press Association’s High
School Editors’ Workshop in 2002, Murphy impressed judges with her writing
ability in an editorial about teachers and with her leadership in publishing a
daily convention newspaper during a national student leadership conference
hosted by Ocean Lakes.
The scholarship honors one of Virginia’s most beloved
publications advisers, Col. Charles E. Savedge, a member of the Virginia High
School Hall of Fame who reshaped student yearbooks nationwide.
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