Royal Examiner presents the Warren County High School Class of 2022. Congratulations to these wonderful seniors on their hard work and deserved accomplishments! We wish you the best in your next big endeavors. Photos courtesy of Victor O’Neill Studios and Tolliver Studios, LLC.

If your Warren County senior is not listed, please send in their Name and Senior Picture to news@royalexaminer.com.

Stephanie Abrego

Damian Adams

Amber Aderholt

Kaitlyn Alicie

Niall Anderson

Rhiannon Anderson

Zackary Andrews

Paige Arndt

Aadon Atwood

Sabrina Baker

Ashton Baldwin

Myranda Barek

Amelia Bartelmez

Alannah Becker

Natasha Behmardi

Lillian Bergdorf

Emma Bergmann

Paul Berry

Genevieve Blodgett

Nathaniel Bogacki

Isabella Bonvicini

Matthew Bourgoin

Ryleigh Breeden

Tyler Brown

Mitchell Brownawell

Madalynne Bryant

Jessica Carino

Jacob Carroll

Anthony Carter

Zaccorie Chaffin

Damen Chapman

Zane Michael Clark

Haley Cockerham

Jordan Cockrell

Emery Coffman

Logan Cole

Isabella Cope

Kayla Covarrubias

Karleigh Crabill

Lauren Crawford

Thomas Currence

Casey Davis

Eireann Davis

Kaleb Davis

Gabriel Deisch

Judd Dellinger

Ryann Devine

Abigail Dickerson

Samuel Dillon Winant

Donald Dolly

Corey Dudley

Nathaniel Duncan

Morgan Ellinger

Keeley Emmons

Lindsay Etter

Bailey Evans

Madison Evans

Charles Flynn

David Fox-Wyrick Jr.

Ethan Funk

Joshua Gaffney

Aleila Garrett

Nicholas Gershon

Andrew Grant

Aidan Grupac

Lily Hess

Dylan Hetz

Maggie Hinchey

Ian Hoelsher

Stephanie Howell

Noah Hrbek

Cameron Jackson

Rachel Jean

Caleb Jenkins

Taryn Jeremiah

Nicholas Johnson

Brandon Jordan

Erick Jovel-Escobar

Hannah Keefer

Jenna Kerns

Cayla Kleinschmidt

Gabrielle Knight

Nicodemus Kozhenevsky

Gabrielle Lane

Kerydwen Lane

Samantha Lewis

Gabriella Mangene

Bryanna Mansour

Griffin Martin

John Martin

Emily Mawson

Maya McKean

Joanna Mendez-Dorado

Ryan Menejia

Caileigh Miller

Cecelia Mitchell

Savannah Mitchell

Josias Montesinos

Ella Moody

Mavryck Mora

Anthony Moreno

Grace Morningstar

Lacie Morris

Emma Mullins

Marcus Nadzam

Sydney Nalls

Isaiah Nichols

Zachery Nicholson

Hannah Norris

Paul Panzica

Cayden Patton

Margaret Plosch

Ashton Polk

Gracie Presley

Olivia Puffinburger

Gunnar Quinn

Malachi Quinn

Emily Ramsey

Magdalene Ratigan

Olivia Reed

Katrina Riehl

Matthew Riley

Jacob Robinson

Jalen Rodriguez

Brayan Romo Rodriguez

Taye Russell

Nathan Sale

Mia Santillan

Nathalie Schelin

Adrian Schilling

Richard Schultz

Jordan Searcey

James Sears

Cole Sheehan

Phoebe Shick

Margaret Shultz

John Shultzaberger

Christopher Silvius

Molly Smulik

Aidan Sower

Noah Sower

Aydan Steele

Kiersten Stives

Melissa Swain

Lillian Taber

Geovanni Tellez

Shalome Thilking

Joshua Thomas

Carissa Thompson

Monica Thompson

Kaylee Tieche

Francis Treutlein

Alivia Turner

Kassidy Turner

Chloe Via

Jenny Vo

Gabriel Vogt

Will Waller

Lucas Weber

Erin Webster

Leah Webster

Olivia White

Storm Wines-Henry

Aiden Yuhasse

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A small crowd of historical buffs joined by an honor guard of reenactors presenting the colors of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Southern Confederacy gathered early Monday evening, May 23, at the Warren Rifles Museum in Historic Downtown Front Royal. They gathered NOT to celebrate a fight to preserve slavery as an American socio-economic institution, but rather to acknowledge the sacrifice of soldiers on both sides and the Psychological Warfare (PsyWar) strategies employed during Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson’s Valley Campaign before there was a term to describe such strategies.

It was a joint celebration of the military genius of the Valley Campaign 160 years past, the Battle of Front Royal in which Jackson’s forces defeated an outnumbered Union force as part of that campaign, and of Jackson’s life that would end on May 10, 1863, as a result of a friendly fire incident at Chancellorsville the following year.

Suzanne Silek launches Monday’s Civil War history acknowledgment of Jackson’s Valley Campaign and the Battle of Front Royal’s role in that landmark campaign in military history. Below, featured speaker J.P. Morgan explains ‘PsyWar’ in the Valley 160 years ago. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini. Video by Mike McCool, Royal Examiner.

Royal Examiner columnist and U.S. Army retired Lt. Col. John Paul Morgan was the featured speaker, expanding on his commentary titled “PsyWar in the Valley,” published here in acknowledgment of the 160th anniversary of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson’s “Valley Campaign” of 1862.

Morgan pointed to radical strategies of troop movements and deployment, security from even Jackson’s own commanders on his battle plans, and disinformation on what numerical force he had in the Shenandoah Valley.

That latter aspect created in part by the first two was crucial, as Union leaders believed Jackson’s actual force of about 16,000 was 60,000 or more, threatening the Union capital from the west in 1862 as the Union Army was poised to take the Confederate capital of Richmond with a vastly larger force than Richmond was defended by.

They thought he was here, and then he was there – Morgan traces ‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s unprecedented troop movements up and down the Valley creating the illusion of a much larger force than he actually had that Union leaders believed could threaten to invade Washington, the Union capital in 1862.

That Union leadership misperception led them to pull key forces from the planned Richmond offensive to the defense of Washington D.C. Those Lee-Jackson developed strategies leading to troop movements to protect the Union capital from a phantom force created one of the greatest military-strategic shifts of wartime history, Morgan asserted of strategies still studied in military schools and training to this day.

It was this advanced strategical plan developed between Confederate Commanding General Robert E. Lee and General “Stonewall” Jackson, playing to concerns and psychological tendencies of the opposing side’s leadership, that was the focus of Morgan’s presentation.

The colors of the U.S., the Confederacy, and Virginia were displayed in opening and closing the historical remembrance of Front Royal and ‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s unique places in American military history.

Watch the presentation on a unique aspect of military history in this exclusive Royal Examiner video.

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Shooting Turtles is a Crime.

This Snapping turtle patient was brought to the Center after being found with multiple gunshots.

To make matters worse, this is a gravid female (carrying eggs); you can see the eggs in the x-ray below. These adult breeding animals are especially important from a population survival standpoint.

Snapping turtles are a protected species in Virginia. Unfortunately, we see intentional human-caused trauma, including gunshots, every year in this species. Luckily, these gunshot wounds were fresh and only into the bone of the carapace (upper shell). She does not appear to have damaged internal organs. The steel pellets were removed, the wounds cleaned, and pain medications and antibiotics provided.

Now, after about a week in care, this turtle was released back to her found location! We hope she will continue to thrive, lay her eggs, and avoid the world’s most dangerous species—humans.

This wildlife crime has been reported, and our Conservation Police Officers are investigating. If you see someone commit a wildlife crime, please report it as soon as possible. In Virginia, it can be reported to our Department of Wildlife Resources at WildCrime@dwr.virginia.gov, or you can contact them by phone at 1-800-237-5712.

Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.

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Claude A Stokes, Jr. Community Swimming Pool 2022 Opening:

Due to insufficient staffing, the Claude A Stokes, Jr. Community Swimming Pool is unable to open as scheduled on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 28, 2022 through Monday, May 30, 2022.  The pool is scheduled to open for its regular season, Monday, June 6, 2022. We will continue our efforts to obtain more staff and reevaluate the season opening prior to that date.

If you are interested in applying for a lifeguard position, please contact us at 540-635-1021 or visit www.warrencountyva.net/employment-opportunities to complete an application online.

Please continue to check the Warren County website and the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page for any additional updates, as we will send out more information in June.

Warren County Splash Pad 2022 Opening:

The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department is delighted to announce the Warren County Splash Pad at Dr. Saul Seide Memorial Gardens Memorial Park will open for the 2022 season, on Saturday, May 28, 2022. Please review the rules and regulations posted at the site before using the Splash Pad.

The Splash Pad is located behind the Raymond E. Santmyers Youth Center at 200 East 8^th Street, in the Dr. Saul Seide Memorial Gardens Park.

The Splash Pad will be open for water fun from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily (weather permitting). Please check the Warren County website and the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page for any additional updates.

For additional information please contact the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office at (540) 635-7750.

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On Sunday, May 22, 2022, the Warren County Music Department presented its Spring Concert, featuring the Jazz Band and High School Symphonic Band. David Dingess, Band Director, conducted both bands and played drums on a few pieces.

Dingess said, ” I want to thank the seniors for their work, dedication, and understanding during difficult times that in a way robbed us of this special time together, but they made the most of it. Thank you.”

He continued his thanks for the administration’s support throughout the year and the custodial staff who helped keep the building clean and in good shape for events like today. He also included the Band Boosters for their hard work and financial support. A special thanks to Ken and Donna Evans for their efforts in assisting with the fundraising for new marching uniforms.

Dingess ended his thanks with, “I would especially like to thank my wife for all her help and support. Without her, I would not be able to do what I do.” (Sounds like true love.)

Members of the Jazz Band include:

Heath Coe, Brady Donahue, Jim Farris, Daniel Flores, Andrew Grant, Kathleen Grant, Matthew Grant, Jaula Hodges, Trestyn Muterspaw, Margaret Plosh, Mason Polk, Katrina Richi, and Ward Sebastian.

Performance selections included:

Chattanooga Choo-Choo, My Funny Valentine, Moondance, a solo drum performance Drum Corp on Parade, Pratt (by James Riggs II), El Gato Gordo, Over the Rainbow, and Rock This Town.

Members of the High School Symphonic Band include:

Jason Becker, Kaydria Bennett, Morgan Brown, Heath Coe, James Crowell, Brady Donahue, Jim Farris, Daniel Flores, Andrew Grant, Kathleen Grant, Matthew Grant, Jayla Hodges, Devin Inlow-Mercier, Avayda Kemp, Arthur Kresge, Nicodemus Kozhenevsky, Savannah Mitchell, Trestyn Muterspaw, Connor Payne, Abigail Plosch, Margaret Plosch, Mason Polk, Katrina Riehl, James Riggs II, Sebastian Ward, and Tristan Wright.

Performance selections included:

Courage March, a solo performance of Yellow After The Rain, Mitchell Peters (by James Riggs II), Wyndham Variations, Legend of Knife River, Ludlows, a solo piano solo by Margaret Plosch, and Maelstrom.

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On a steamy Saturday, May 21st, Front Royal welcomed the annual Chamber of Commerce sponsored Wine & Craft Festival back after a two-year absence due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions.

An impressive array of booths highlighting that two-pronged theme stretched up and down East Main and Chester Streets in the town’s Historic Downtown Business District to the delight of a throng of hearty “winers” and arts and crafts fans of all ages.

A live musical accompaniment was kicked off by Leesburg-based Jumptown, with frontman Michael Gauvreau leading the band through an impressive array of Soul, Rhythm & Blues, and Blues tunes that kept the crowd on its collective “good foot.” Mandatory Fun would be a later musical theme.

Leesburg’s Jumptown, with singer Michael Gauvreau, below, launched the day’s live music. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

And if you didn’t want to risk mixing wine with the Weather Alert heat soaring into the mid-90s, there were also a variety of concessions and cooling liquids of the non-alcoholic variety available as well. So, if you missed it, or even if you didn’t but want a little reminder of the good time you had in the comfort of your air-conditioned abode, relax and take a visual tour of the Wine & Crafts Festival 2022 below.

There were other options than wine for the non-whiners, we mean winers.

Of course the wine booths stayed busy as it was the Wine & Crafts Festival

That’s some nice art you have there – some patrons of the arts chat with the artist, seated with a furry friend.

Uh oh, ‘Dye Happy’ almost gave this reporter a flashback – to the 1960s and tie-dye power as a Woodstock generation fashion statement.

And a stroll up Chester Street from the Gazebo area …

And as we head up East Main St. we are reminded to stop into Town Hall to participate in the opportunity to give citizen input to an update of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and residents’ visions for the town’s future.

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Uh oh, I’m having another flashback – this one to the 1860s and the American Civil War.

Maybe the Town should have put a wine booth in front of Town Hall to attract that citizen feedback – Let me have another glass and I’ll tell you what I think about the future.

The ice patrol to various booths with perishables was very important as the mid-spring heat wave pushed temperatures well into the 90s.

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