THE CHALKBOARD: Worst school traffic issues? First day photos and Wilson's new softball coach
STUARTS DRAFT — Add Stuarts Draft to the schools with traffic issues before and after school.
A now removed post about traffic on Augusta Farms Road Wednesday on the In the Draft Facebook page drew more than 65 comments and 10 shares by Wednesday afternoon. It was the first day of school and a photo showed traffic was backed up in both directions at the entrance to Stuarts Draft High and Stuarts Draft Middle schools.
One commenter said the area is dangerous, especially for students who may be new drivers. Another said students need to be riding the bus instead of getting dropped off by car, but a response to that post said there weren't enough bus drivers.
Terry Lafon, Augusta County School's director of transportation, told The News Leader Tuesday that the division is starting the school year short 18 bus drivers.
"As we have done in past school years, there will be 18 bus drivers doing double runs," Lafon said.
The Wilson complex in Fishersville has been a source of frustration over traffic issues for years. The complex is home to Wilson Memorial High, Wilson Middle and Wilson Elementary schools, in addition to a regional technical education center, governor's school, the state rehabilitation and workforce training center, some residential development, and county-owned offices and maintenance facilities.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is considering solutions, including a roundabout, to help alleviate some of the congestion at Wilson.
The News Leader would like to know what other schools in Augusta County, as well as Waynesboro and Staunton, have traffic flow issues before or after school and what solutions you think would work. Email phite@newsleader.com with any traffic concerns at area schools.
Back to School photos
Families from around the area took part in the time-honored tradition of photos on the first day of school. With public schools back in session on Wednesday, we asked for some back-to-school photos to publish. Below is a gallery of those we received.
Wilson Memorial names new softball coach
FISHERSVILLE — Wilson Memorial High School announced that Emily Kenny will be its new varsity softball coach. Kenny, who was an assistant coach at Fort Defiance, has been teaching health and physical education at Wilson Middle since 2021.
Kenny played her high school softball at Stone Bridge in Ashburn, earning recognition as all-state in 2014. After high school, Kenny attended Purdue University where she played softball for the Boilermakers. She played third base and outfield for the Big Ten school in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Prior to arriving at Wilson Middle, Kenny worked in the athletic departments for both Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Virginia.
Staunton Soap Box racer finishes third in world
HARRISONBURG — The Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby has four new world champions. Each spring the Rotary Club of Rockingham County organizes and facilitates the annual Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby. Young people from age 7 to 20 learn sportsmanship, science, and technology as they build and race gravity powered Soap Box Derby cars down Research drive in Rockingham County.
This year the four local champions from our area were crowned and had the honor of representing the local Derby at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. This annual event features local champions from around the world in single elimination races.
Local racers:
Caleb Gilbert, Staunton: Region 8 Rally Stock Champion. Caleb also won the National Rally Stock Points Championship for all 12 regions in the United States. Competed in a division with 53 racers and placed third in the world. Caleb is 11 years old and is a rising sixth-grader at Shelburne Middle School.
Grayson Workman, Elkton: Local Super Stock Champion. Competed in a division with 70 racers and placed sixth in the world. Grayson is 15 years old and is a rising junior at East Rockingham High School.
Gage Becker, McGaheysville: Local Masters Champion. Competed in a division with 39 racers. Gage had a great week but, unfortunately, his car had a mechanical failure in the first heat. Gage is 13 years old and is a rising eighth-grader at Montevideo Middle School.
Grayson Lilly, Port Republic: Fourth in Region 8 Super Stock points. Grayson competed in a division with 47 racers. He was in the top 18 and had the seventh fastest time in the round but was eliminated by the fifth fastest car – luck of the draw in random draw, bracket style racing. Grayson is a rising eighth-grader at Elkton Middle School.
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: THE CHALKBOARD: Worst school traffic issues? First day photos and Wilson's new softball coach
