Local News
Warren County Educational Endowment awards grants totaling $46,450 to Warren County Public School System.
Front Royal – 11 Warren County Public School System programs received grants this week, according to a media release from the Warren County Educational Endowment (WCEE). Organization president Doug Stanley said in the release, “The Warren County Educational Endowment maintains its commitment to its mission of helping the local school system support high level and creative programs for our children.
The Board was again extremely excited to see the cooperation shown by the teachers in developing the grant proposals, many with cross collaboration of disciplines. With these eleven grant awards, we feel that we have been able to provide additional tools to our dedicated teachers to continue to push innovation for our students in their Trek-to-Excellence.”
Grants were awarded for the following projects:
Ø Equitable Access to Books and Increased Comprehension Through the Use of Audiobooks – Rebecca Webster/ Warren County Middle School – $600 – The grant will be used to purchase audiobooks for books most frequently checked out from the library and classroom libraries. Offering audiobooks will allow students reading below grade level to read and engage in discussions with their peers while increasing their vocabulary and comprehension as they follow along in the print version of the book.
Ø Flexible Seating for a Special Needs Classroom – Rebekah Pennington/Warren County Middle School – $600 – Research shows that movement during instruction improves focus, increases the oxygen to the brain, enhances engagement, and helps dispel excess energy. The grant will provide flexible seating, such as wobble stools, standing desks, and yoga balls. Flexible seating will allow students to move around during a lesson without distracting other students.
Ø Friday Coffee Cart – Tess Wharton/ Warren County Middle School – $650 – The project will provide funding for a coffee cart that will be operated by Tier III extensive needs students. Students will prepare and sell coffee and baked goods to staff members. They will be fully involved in all stages from preparation to completing the sale. The cart will be utilized to teach real life application of counting money, customer service, shopping, and money management.
Ø Read and Write for Google Chrome – Amirra Lanterman and Jacqueline Dopson/ Warren County Middle School – $1,800 – This project will provide read aloud and word prediction accommodations through benchmarks and other tests that currently do not have this feature through Powerschool Assessment. Students will use Read and Write to access benchmarks and other tests to prepare them for the read aloud format for the SOL test.
Ø Educational Opportunities for Our Future Medical Community – Michele Barber/Skyline High School – $15,000 – The funding will provide a 50% match to allow Warren County Public Schools to purchase necessary equipment and partner with LFCC to offer Dual Enrolled Anatomy and Physiology classes. The classes would include labs, case studies, and projects as well as normal college class activities such as lectures, assessments, and class discussions. The goal is to help address the current nursing and medical staff shortage by offering college level classes through dual enrollment which will allow them to transfer the credits to LFCC or any 4-year university in Virginia.
Ø Spreading Roots: A Non-Traditional Approach to School Gardening – Thomas Hodge/Diversified Minds/Brighter Futures Non-Traditional Programs – $2,500 – Project will fund the purchase of equipment and supplies to create and manage an organic vegetable garden at the Health and Human Services Complex. Students, teachers, families, and community members will collaborate to plan, create, and manage a vegetable garden where everyone can utilize the outdoor space as an experimental learning tool across all content areas. The activities will spark students’ curiosity and imagination about gardening, natural resources, nutrition, and human impact on the environment.
Ø B.I.G. (Boys Into Gentlemen) – Rodney Brown and Shane Goodwin/ E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School – $2,500 – The project will intensely serve between 8-10 at-risk boys in 4th and 5th grades by providing them with opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and community involvement. In addition to weekly meetings, the boys will be taken on a monthly walking field experience during the school day to a local restaurant where they can employ their skills of etiquette while listening to an invited local business owner or community member. The goal of the program is to provide the boys with a roadmap for a successful future in our community.
Ø The Future is Now: Bringing Imagination into Reality – Jill Atherton-Mellish/Skyline Middle School – $5,000 – This project will provide students with the opportunity to learn creativity in an engaging learning space filled with the most recent technology by funding the purchase of equipment for a TinkerLab. Students in the gifted and talented classes will be able to produce more advanced projects that will prepare them for STEM jobs when they graduate.
Ø Improving STEM Learning for Skyline Students – Paula Lévesque/ Skyline High School – $2,800 – This project will allow the offering of additional classes that will count towards college credits. The grant will fund books, lab manuals, and lab equipment necessary to complete labs for BIO 101 and 102.
Ø WCMS STEAM TinkerLab – Jen Davis/Luke Heeter/Amy Lelito/Warren County Middle School – $5,000 – This project will provide STEAM resources and kits that encourage exploratory learning for all WCMS students. The kits would include activities focusing on electricity and circuits, magnetism and electromagnets, design and construction, and robotics; focusing on topics that are traditionally difficult for many students. The TinkerLab would be available for all teachers and students and would encourage opportunities for cross-curricular projects.
Ø Mental Health First Aid – Michael Hirsch/Division-wide – $10,000 – The grant will provide funding for an eight hour, evidence based training to teach a five-step action plan for crisis and non-crisis situations. The grant resources will be used to support teachers and other staff on a Saturday while trainers from VCU provide the day long experiences. Staff will be able to (1) assess for risk of suicide or harm, (2) listen in a non-judgmental capacity, (3) give reassurance and information, (4) encourage appropriate, professional help, and (5) encourage self-help and other strategies. Activities will include hands-on training, role playing, and simulations.
The Endowment is a catalyst for improving the education and learning environment in Warren County Public Schools. Sometimes it takes private support of public efforts to incubate an idea or a new approach that helps students compete in a global marketplace, instills passion for life-long learning, and sparks a vision to strive for success. Programs funded by the Endowment are sponsored by our school system and are consistent with its mission and direction. They are intended to initiate sustained improvement in the fundamental capability of the school system and enhance the attractiveness of the community through the promotion of educational excellence.
According to School Superintendent Greg Drescher, “The Warren County Educational Endowment provides funding for learning activities in our schools that often involve cutting edge technology or unique instructional practices that teachers are interested in trying in their classrooms. This funding allows our school system to try out something new before making a large investment. This year the Endowment is funding projects related to STEM, supporting students’ Mental Health, supporting At-Risk Elementary Students, adding a Dual Enrolled Program, Agriculture in the Classroom, Specialized Technology for students with special needs, and supporting true to life Economic Lessons for special needs students. There is no doubt the Endowment has had a profound and important impact on our school system. They are a perfect example of the community support our school system enjoys.”
To date the Endowment has awarded 146 grants totaling $500,879.67. Anyone interested in supporting the Endowment can contact the Endowment or make a tax-deductible donation on the WCEE website.
Chamber News
Melodies on Main: Community Cheers as Money Pit Recording Studio Opens Doors
Local News
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: American Toad
Please remember to check your lawn before you mow!
This beautiful American toad was hit by a lawnmower on Saturday and suffered injuries to the right wrist and right hind leg.
Unfortunately, due to the level of trauma, the right hind leg required amputation at the level of the knee, which was performed once the patient was stabilized.
This patient is still eligible for release once recovered and will do just fine in the wild, even with one less leg to hop on!
This time of year we see species of all kinds come into care with injuries inflicted by mowers and weedwhackers. Luckily, injuries like this are preventable in many cases.
Some people will sweep their lawn with a broom to flush out any animals that may be hiding (also a great way to find and protect a bunny nest). You can also enlist a child, partner, or friend to keep you company while you mow by walking a few feet ahead and checking for wildlife as they go!
Or, if you are looking for an alternative to a turf grass lawn, consider replacing some or all of it with native plants! Traditional lawns provide little functional space for wildlife, use excessive water, and often introduce fertilizers and pesticides that damage our environment.
Reducing the need to mow and creating beautiful and healthy habitat for native wildlife is a win-win!
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.
Local News
Warren County Virginia Sheriff’s Office Rallies Support for Deputy Whose Home Was Severely Damaged by a Fire
In an urgent Facebook post on Monday, April 22, Sheriff Crystal Cline alerted the community to the plight of a deputy whose home was severely damaged by a fire that day.
“This morning, we were reminded of the unpredictable challenges that life can throw at us,” she wrote. “One of my deputies faced a heartbreaking tragedy when a fire severely damaged his home, resulting in the loss of everything he held dear, including his beloved pet.
“This deputy has lived his life on the frontlines—he served in the Army, then as a volunteer and professional firefighter, and now as a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office serving our community.
“Your support, whether through prayer, donations, or financial contributions, will help provide the immediate needs of shelter, clothing, and other essentials during this critical time. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (200 Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal, VA) will be a drop-off location for any physical items or financial donations—ask for Jenn.
I appreciate your kindness, generosity, and support. We are more than a community; we are a FAMILY!”
Out of respect for the deputy, his identity was not revealed. Even so, the sheriff’s Facebook page has been inundated by people who want to help. Many types of donations are welcome, as the sheriff emphasized, and for those specifically wanting to make online financial contributions, a link is provided on the WCSO’s page. Michael Glavis of the WCSO has organized that site for raising funds, the “Sheriff Deputy House Fire Relief Fund.” Glavis considers the deputy a dear friend and work colleague. “He has given blood and sweat for others, and now I’m asking for everyone to give a little to help him and his family through the process of recovery,” Glavis said.
Local News
Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at ‘This is IT!’ Event
The “This Is IT!” club of Warren County, Virginia, marked another milestone as a hub for budding IT enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. The club, which started in 2023, has quickly become a cornerstone for students interested in the ever-evolving world of information technology.
At the ‘This is IT!’ club gathering at the Samuels Public Library on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, students and community members came together to celebrate and learn. The club includes 9th to 12th-grade students from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds and is aimed to ignite curiosity and reward academic excellence in information technology and quantum computing.
The ceremony kicked off with an introduction by Melissa Chapman, an instructor involved with the club. She set the stage for a night that was not only about recognition but also about expanding young minds. “Understanding the vocabulary of quantum computing is the first step towards mastery,” Chapman remarked, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in this cutting-edge field.
The focal point of the evening was the guest lecture by Dr. Bruce Chesley, an aerospace engineer who adeptly connected the seemingly distant realms of space exploration and quantum computing. With palpable enthusiasm, Dr. Chesley described how quantum technologies could revolutionize our approach to exploring the cosmos. His talk made the complex topics accessible and entertaining, captivating the aspiring scientists in attendance.
Amidst the talks, the club took a moment to honor its bright young members through a scholarship awards ceremony. Scholarships were awarded to students who have shown exceptional prowess in STEM fields. These awards are a testament to the community’s support for its young learners and a major encouragement for them to pursue further education in technology. The winners were Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, and Uli Duke.
Local News
The Apple Blossom Coronation Legacy Continues for the Historical Event
For the first time in the history of the Shenandoah Apple Bossom Festival® three consecutive generations in a family will have served as Queen Shenandoah. Susan Ford Bales, Queen in 1975, and Tyne Vance Berlanga, Queen in 2001, will be accompanying Joy Elizabeth Berlanga as she assumes her role as Queen Shenandoah XCVII.
The Crowning Ceremony entertains from regal pomp and circumstance to joyful enthusiasm of Little Maids and Pages who are ever present to serve their Queen. The youthful court interchange historical and educational facts from the British Crown to learning about a United States President – to asking, “Who has the Crown?,” and with dancing. The Queen will be crowned at the memorable Coronation celebration under the direction of Elaine B. Aikens. The Ceremony to install the new sovereign is sponsored by Morgan Orthodontics, on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.at Handley High School. President Gerald Ford crowned Susan. Susan crowned Tyne, and Joy will be crowned by her mother and escorted by her grandmother.
Susan, Joy’s grandmother, is a Virginia native and now resides in Texas. She is the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. Susan is the mother of two daughters, Tyne Berlanga and Heather Deavers, five grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Berlanga, Cruz Vance Berlanga, Elizabeth Blanch Deavers, Jude Deavers, and Sullivan Bales, and three stepsons, Kevin, Matthew, and Andrew Bales.
Susan was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and attended Holton Arms School and the University of Kansas, where she studied photojournalism. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She is the author of two novels set in the Whie House, “Double Exposure: A First Daughter Mystery”, and its sequel, “Sharp Focus.”
Susan is the Ship’s Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which she officially christened on November 9, 2013. On April 8, 2016, in recognition of her service as the Ship’s Sponsor, she was named an Honorary Naval Aviator by the United States Navy, becoming only the 31st American to receive this distinction. And history was made with her selection – Susan is the first woman to be chosen as an Honorary Naval Aviator.
During her high school years, Susan lived in the White House and served as official White House hostess following her mother’s surgery for breast cancer in 1974. In 1984, she and her mother helped launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Susan subsequently served as national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. Since the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Susan worked side by side with her mother on projects at the Center and was elected to the Center’s Board of Directors in 1992. She succeeded her mother as Chairman of the Board 2005-2010, and currently serves on the board of directors of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
In addition to her many charitable public service activities, Susan serves as Co-Trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy, Trustee, Trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Children’s National Medical Center.
Tyne, mother of Joy, Queen-designate, resides in Frisco, TX with her husband Hector and two children, Joy and Cruz. She serves as a marketing manager for Western Son. With a passion for community involvement, Tyne sits on multiple school booster club boards for all her children’s activities.
On Tyne’s departure as Queen she reflected, “It was easy to be kind, gracious and humble Queen when surrounded by the people of Winchester. My five-day reign as Queen Shenandoah was an occasion that will have a special place in my heart. I have formed friendships and made memories that will hopefully stay with me for a long time to come. On Sunday morning I was doing an exit interview with one of the reporters and he asked me, “If l had a daughter would I let her be Queen?” My answer was immediately “Yes, if she’s lucky enough to be given this opportunity.” Now, Tyne eagerly anticipates returning to Winchester where Joy is set to embark on a remarkable journey, echoing Tyne’s own experiences from 23 years prior. It’s truly heartwarming to be able to share this moment with both her mother and daughter.
The Queen and her family will ride in the Hang 10 Firefighters’ Parade Friday evening at 5:30 and the glo fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. Queen-designate Joy and her family will be making appearances at Festival events during the weekend.
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.
Community Events
Valley Chorale Announces Upcoming Spring Concerts in Middletown and Front Royal
The Valley Chorale presents “Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope”, a spring concert exploring aspirations of love, home, spirituality and compassion that unite and uplift us all. With styles ranging from light classical and sacred to vocal jazz, spirituals and pop, The Valley Chorale strives to capture the hopes that unite us.
The Valley Chorale is known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for innovation and excellence, with piano, cello and percussion accompaniment, and their concerts are often a heart-warming experience for all. They welcome babies and tots, so no need to hire a babysitter.
Tickets can be purchased on their website TheValleyChorale.org — $15 for age 21+ (free under age 21) or at the door for $17.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
Belle Grove Plantation (Bank Barn), 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
First Baptist Church, 14 W. 1st Street, Front Royal, VA (Community Reception to follow)
For further information, visit the website: TheValleyChorale.org: follow them on Facebook; email them at TheValleyChorale@gmail.com or call at 540-635-4842.
(From a Release by The Valley Chorale)