FCCLA social for seniors; new Wilson soccer coach, Dawbarn winners honored: The Chalkboard
WAYNESBORO — Kadynce Campbell joined FCCLA as a sixth-grader at Wilson Middle School. The organization — the full name is Family, Career and Community Leaders of America — helps students pursue careers that support families and helps promote personal growth and leadership development.
Now, Campbell is a senior at Wilson Memorial High School and is busy organizing one of her final projects as a K-12 student. She's done a project every year since middle school.
"I usually do community service," she said. "Last year I did small fundraisers to raise money for the Green Hanger Project. This year I was like, I want to do one big event."
That big event that Campbell is organizing is a Saturday Social for Seniors. Scheduled for Nov. 4, it's a chance for those 60 and older to take part in fun, games and socialization at the Waynesboro Moose Lodge, 481 Hopeman Parkway, from 1-5 p.m. Bingo is scheduled from 1:30-2 p.m. and 4-4:30 p.m.
Campbell came up with the project after thinking about her grandmother who, as she's gotten older, has fewer fun events geared toward her age group.
She is asking high school seniors to help with the project, bringing together two groups of seniors — the Class of 2024 and senior citizens — for the one event. She said it's open to volunteers from other area schools, not just Wilson Memorial.
"I thought that would kind of be fun," she said.
The event will include treats, including a popcorn bar, a photo booth; crafts; bingo; and carnival games, with prizes. Everything is free.
Campbell is looking for volunteers, high school seniors to help with concessions, to run carnival games, assist with arts and crafts, and to socialize and interact with the guests attending.
Campbell said those who aren't high school seniors but still want to help can volunteer during the event, assist with setup and/or cleanup, and donate items. Individuals, groups and clubs are welcome to help, she said.
For more information or to volunteer, email Kadynce at luvmyorioles@gmail.com.
Hornets hire new soccer coach
FISHERSVILLE — Wilson Memorial High School announced that Brandon Fern is the school's new head girls soccer coach.
Fern graduated from Wilson Memorial in 2014. Since his graduation, Fern has pursued coaching soccer, and has accrued experiences at multiple levels, per a press release. He has coached in local travel soccer programs, assisted in the Waynesboro High School girls soccer program, and served as an assistant coach in the men’s soccer program at Mary Baldwin University.
Fern also served as the technical director of the Glacier Surf Soccer Club in Montana, where his 2006 and 2009 Glacier Surf squads became the first Montana clubs to ever win the Crossfire Showcase in Seattle, Washington.
Fern returned to Virginia to be closer to family. He has started his own technical training company, ShadowTek Futbol, and provides club neutral technical training for players across the state.
He assumes control of a Green Hornets girls soccer program that has gone 29-5-4 over the last two seasons, including an appearance in the VHSL Class 3 state final four under former coach Kyle Congleton.
"We welcome home Brandon Fern, as the new Wilson Memorial girls soccer coach," the release said, "and look forward to his leadership of our student-athletes on the pitch."
Dawbarn winners honored
STAUNTON — The ten individuals selected as Dawbarn Education Award recipients last spring were honored at a reception at the Frontier Culture Museum Wednesday night. Each received a $10,000 cash award for being honored.
Chesne Baska, librarian and media specialist at Wilson Memorial, was one of the 2023 Dawbarn Education Award recipients recognized Wednesday night.
“Tonight was a great evening,” Baska said. “You can tell a lot of time went into making it a comfortable atmosphere for families, and really putting a spotlight on education, bringing positive attention to it, and share the wonderful things that are happening in our community.”
For 29 years, the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge has awarded individuals for going above and beyond their formal job responsibilities to make a real and lasting impact on the lives of students in the public schools of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro.
The Dawbarn Awards ceremony is always a special night for the Community Foundation staff.
“It couldn’t have gone better,” said Dan Layman, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. “It was a beautiful evening. Everybody was so happy for these 10 recipients, and it was a room full of joy.”
Miriam Burrows is the Director of Educational Programs at the Community Foundation. She agreed with Layman.
“I thought it was beautiful,” Burrows said. “It was very important to me to make this celebration as inviting as possible to all of our friends and families and I think we succeeded.”
The Dawbarn Education Awards were created in 1992 when the late H. Dunlop “Buz” Dawbarn established an endowment at the Community Foundation. Buz said “the single most important thing we’ve got to do as a society is educate people. Democracy isn’t going to work in the long run if we don’t produce educated citizens.”
The Foundation presented the first awards on Monday Oct. 10, in 1994, and a total of 287 awards over 29 years. The accompanying cash awards have totaled over $2 million.
Barry Nelson, the head custodian at Wilson Memorial High School and 2023 Dawbarn Award recipient, thoroughly enjoyed his experience.
“It was awesome,” Nelson said. “I’ve never been to anything like this in my life.
The 2023 Dawbarn Education Award Recipients named last spring are:
Chesne Baska, librarian and media specialist, Wilson Middle School
Bradley DeWitt, business teacher and coach, Stuarts Draft High School
Diane Lundstrom, fifth grade, Berkeley Glenn Elementary School
Fonda Morris, principal, Clymore Elementary School
Barry Nelson, head custodian, Wilson Memorial High School
Charles Nesmith, band director, Shelburne Middle School
Lori Peltonen, media specialist and teacher, Staunton High School
Dawn Pryor, cook, leader in athletic booster club and concessions chair at Waynesboro High School
Angela Small, veterinary science instructor, Valley Career and Technical Center
Matthew Snyder, sixth grade math, Kate Collins Middle School
Nominations for the 2024 Dawbarn Education Awards are now being accepted: cfcbr.org/dawbarn.
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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: FCCLA social for seniors; new Wilson soccer coach, Dawbarn winners honored: The Chalkboard
