The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR)— Alleghany High School has been named a Level Up Virginia Champion for the 2024–2025 school year by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Alleghany High School is one of only 28 schools in the state to receive this special recognition. This honor highlights the school’s strong commitment to helping students plan for life after high school.
School officials are quick to credit this achievement to the hard work of Sarai Warrick and Heather Terrell. Warrick organized all four statewide Level Up Virginia events at Alleghany, and she and Terrell both presented at each one. Terrell serves as an academic advisor at Alleghany High School, and Warrick served a two-year assignment at AHS under the Virginia College Advising Corps. The Corps has assigned another advisor to Alleghany High School for the coming school year to continue this important work.
The four Level Up Virginia events, ECMC College Nights in Virginia, Virginia College Application Week, FAF$A Next, and Decision Day VA, help students explore college and career options, apply for college, and complete financial aid forms.
By hosting these events, Alleghany High School has shown strong dedication to creating a college- and career-going culture. Virginia’s goal is to be the best state for education by 2030, with more students earning college degrees and credentials.
Schools like Alleghany High are helping make that goal a reality.
To celebrate, the school will receive a 2025 Level Up Virginia Champion pennant to proudly display as a symbol of this success.
“We are so proud of our students, staff, and families for supporting these efforts,” said Derek Cantrell, principal of Alleghany High School. “Special thanks to Sarai Warrick and Heather Terrell for their leadership and dedication to our students’ futures.”
About Alleghany High School: Alleghany High School serves students in grades 9-12 as part of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools (AHPS). AHPS was established in 2022 through the merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. Funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington, the division combines local resources to provide an efficient and high-quality education for approximately 2,700 students.
Stay informed about AHPS news and events by following AHPS on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and on Instagram at ahpublicschools. For more information, visit www.ahps.k12.va.us.
Alleghany High School Academic Advisor Heather Terrell stands with Class of 2025 seniors at the Senior Academic Awards Ceremony in May. The seniors pictured were awarded scholarships, with Terrell and College Advisor Sarai Warrick playing a key role in helping them plan for life after graduation. Alleghany is one of only 28 schools in Virginia named a Level Up Virginia Champion for 2024-2025 by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Pictured above L-R: Terrell, Kaitlyn Petrero, Shantia Sterling, Kelsey Nicely, Kinlee Huffman, and Ella Hicks. (AHPS Photo)
