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LORD BOTETOURT HIGH SCHOOL

Bob Johnson Classic bringing together Emory & Henry basketball alumni while honoring late coach

The first ever Bob Johnson Classic was underway at Lord Botetourt Saturday, honoring the late “Coach J”, the winningest basketball coach at Emory & Henry. Lord Botetourt head coach Andrew Hart reached out to coaches all over Virginia who were Emory & Henry basketball alumni, encouraging them to bring their teams to Daleville for a bit of a reunion, and to remember the man who lead them to where they are today.

Daleville’s Olivia Bray helps lead Texas to 3rd place finish in NCAA Swim & Dive Championship

ROANOKE, Va. – Daleville’s Olivia Bray has many titles; Lord Botetourt alum, Olympic Trial Qualifier, Texas Longhorn, and now, and All-American. Last week, she competed in multiple events in her first NCAA Swim & Dive Championship, taking home silver in the 200-meter butterfly as a freshman. “There were eight of us, two swimmers had been to an NCAA Championship before so we were a new group to go. We went to go get the trophy and we couldn’t let it go.”AdBray placed 3rd in the 400-yard medley relay, 7th in the 200-yard medley relay, 9th in the 400-yard freestyle relay with her team, 7th in the 100-yard butterfly, 16th in the 100-yard backstroke, 2nd in the 200-yard butterfly. With her Olympic dreams put on hold last year, she also intends on competing in the Olympic trials this summer.

Lord Botetourt girls basketball feeling grateful amid challenging preseason

DALEVILLE, Va. – After nearly nine months of no high school basketball, the Lord Botetourt Cavaliers were grateful to be back on the court. “I just want to take advantage of anything that I’m given this year,” senior Grace Taylor said. “So we’re in phase two in Botetourt which means we can’t pass the ball,” she said. “It’s really hard to game prep right now because we can’t do anything five on five, we can’t do anything five on zero, so we can’t pass and put in plays or anything like that,” Favaro said. “Whatever I’m given, I’m just looking to play, anything that is, just shooting or doing something with the team, I’m thankful for that,” Taylor finished.

Botetourt County Public Schools hosts job fair to fill openings for teachers, bus drivers

DALEVILLE, Va. – Botetourt County Public Schools put its “Now Hiring” sign on full display on Wednesday. The school district hosted a job fair at Lord Botetourt High School throughout the day. Applicants were able to interview with school district leaders face-to-face, albeit with distance, between the tables due to COVID-19 precautions. Botetourt County Public Schools is looking to fill openings for teachers, bus drivers, bus aides, nurses, and custodians. “I want to help out wherever they need me.”The school district encouraged applicants to pre-register but did allow walk-ins to apply for jobs.

One student tests positive for COVID-19 at Lord Botetourt High School

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – A student has been diagnosed with coronavirus at Lord Botetourt High School. Botetourt County Public Schools made this announcement Thursday and said the school will remain open during this time. Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Russ said it has been working with the health department to identify anyone else in the community considered a close contact to this positive case. Anyone who has been exposed will be contacted directly by the health department and will be given further guidance, according to the notice. Russ said those who aren’t contacted don’t need to stay home or isolate.

Student at Lord Botetourt High School tests positive for COVID-19

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Lord Botetourt High School will stay open after school leaders said a student there tested positive for COVID-19. In a letter to parents sent out on Monday, school leaders said the areas of potential exposure were “limited” and did not involve any classroom areas. School leaders said they are working closely with the Roanoke and Alleghany Health Department on contact tracing. The cleaning crew used EPA-registered and CDC-approved disinfectants in the spaces of potential exposure, according to school leaders. School leaders reminded parents to monitor their child’s and family’s health, particularly screening for COVID-19 symptoms.

Lord Botetourt’s Hunter Rice verbally commits to Army

ROANOKE, Va. – Coach Jamie Harless continues to churn out Division One talent from Lord Botetourt’s football program. The most recent commit being star running back and linebacker Hunter Rice, who has verbally committed to play for Army. In 2019 Rice rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns in juts 8 games of action. Rice becomes the 5th Lord Botetourt prospect in the class of 2021 to commit to a D-1 FBS or FCS program. You’ll recall the trio of Cavaliers that committed to Appalachian State-- Colston Powers, Kyle Arnholt and Troy Everett.

Miette Veldman finishes legacy at Lord Botetourt with VHSL’s Class 3 Female Athlete of the Year

DALEVILLE, Va. – Miette Veldman is surely set to go down as one of the greatest athletes to ever come through Lord Botetourt High School. Botetourt, the community, my last four years, we’ve seen Botetourt athletics really come together.”In her time as a Cavalier, Veldman has won five state titles between volleyball and basketball. Her senior year alone she was named Class 3 Player of the Year in volleyball and Region 3D Player of the Year in basketball. Most recently, she was named the Class 3 Female Athlete of the Year by the VHSL and Allstate foundation. “It’s going to be different not playing basketball but I will still be busy.

Botetourt County’s Class of 2020 honored with parades for high school graduation

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Botetourt County’s high school graduates experienced a weekend to remember. Seniors from both James River High School and Lord Botetourt High School participated in parades through their respective towns, following each school’s baccalaureate service. James River’s parade went through downtown Buchanan, all the way up to the river the school is named for. Before the ride, senior Payton Kreklow reflected on their last year of high school as a test of resilience. Botetourt County Schools has plans for a possible in-person graduation ceremony in the fall.

Botetourt County citizens celebrate 250th anniversary

DALEVILLE, Va. – People in Botetourt County celebrated a very special anniversary Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of residents filed into Lord Botetourt High School to commemorate the county’s 250th anniversary. Botetourt County was officially established on January 31, 1770. The event, which featured speeches and historical artifacts, kickstarts a year full of sestercentennial anniversary events within the county. Bank of Botetourt CEO Lyn Hayth, who is a lifelong resident of Botetourt County, says he’s both proud of the county’s history and hopeful for what’s next.