The Shadow
LOW MOOR, VA (VR) -A nearly packed house of students, families, teachers, and community members filled the room Monday night as the Alleghany Highlands School Board used much of its May 18 meeting to celebrate student achievements, volunteer service and longtime employees nearing retirement.
The meeting opened with an extended recognition segment for winter athletes, music and art students, forensics competitors and other extracurricular standouts from across the division.
A long list of state, regional and district honors were recognized in wrestling, swimming, basketball, and indoor track. Several Alleghany High School athletes were recognized for breaking school records, earning all-district, all-region, and all-state honors, and leading relay teams that set new marks in indoor track events.
Board members and administrators emphasized that many of the honored students compete in multiple sports or activities and that lesser-publicized programs, such as track, swim and forensics, are matching or surpassing more traditional marquee sports in postseason success.
Music and choir directors from the high school and Covington Middle School explained the rigorous audition process for All-District and All-Virginia choirs, noting that local students earned highly competitive spots in elite ensembles that rehearsed and performed in Richmond with nationally known guest conductors. Teachers then presented winners and finalists from the VSBA student art contest, describing projects that ranged from monochromatic watercolor landscapes of the Alleghany Mountains to Chinese architecture studies and works inspired by contemporary artists. Much of the artwork was on display in the meeting room.
The board also presented Exceptional Volunteer Awards to some very deserving recipients. Among them were Elijah Halterman, Miss Jennings, Marian Paxton, and Ella Hicks.
Halterman was recognized for a second consecutive month, this time for his ongoing work helping elementary students with reading and math at Sharon and Jeter Watson schools, in addition to a previous project with the city of Covington City Manager, Allen Dressler.
Ella was praised for continuing to benefit the division’s performing and visual arts programs and for playing a key role in reviewing a successful $50,000 state grant application for arts education.
“Miss Jennings,” a former paraprofessional, now volunteers three days a week at Callaghan Elementary School, where Principal Lisa Hansford and students credit her strong math skills, patient personality, and ability to build relationships with children.
Marian Paxton, who could not attend, was cited for her longstanding work at Jeter Watson Elementary and in the wider community connecting students with military veterans through her involvement with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and related projects.
Citing former President George H.W. Bush’s “1,000 points of light” initiative, one administrator tied the local volunteerism to a broader culture of service among Alleghany Highlands students, particularly this year’s graduating seniors.
An instructional “spotlight” focused on early literacy and phonics. Elementary teachers demonstrated a daily spelling and decoding routine using a newly adopted curriculum, explaining how students use sound mapping and simple tools to break down words.
Division leaders later updated the board on several academic and federal program items, including:
State technology funding intended to support student testing, local networks, and computer to student ratios.
The Title III grant application for English learners.
The local plan for gifted education for 2026-27.
Ongoing implementation of the division literacy plan from pre-K through upper grades.
The board approved contracts for Mastery Connect, the division’s assessment and data platform, and Achieve3000 (referred to as Axel in the transcript) for math and reading support both at school and at home.
On a consent agenda, the board approved multiple student trips, including JRTC travel to Georgia and Washington, D.C., and Alleghany High School student trips to Harrisonburg and Cullowhee, N.C., in 2026.
Board members also voted to support an application for a Workforce Readiness Award highlighting Covington Middle School’s STEM Next Door program, which administrators believe is a strong candidate for state-level recognition.
In other action, the board unanimously approved an amendment to extend the YMCA’s lease in the division office building for two more years, with an option for an additional year. Administrators described the arrangement as a positive, continuing partnership.
Later in the meeting, the board adopted resolutions honoring four retiring leaders whose combined service totals well over a century in the Alleghany Highlands:
Sherman B. Callahan, director of elementary instruction and former principal and interim superintendent, praised for data-driven leadership and steady guidance through consolidation and the pandemic.
Shane Reid, director of maintenance and transportation, recognized as a “jack of all trades” who responded to building and weather emergencies at all hours.
Melinda Snead Johnson, assistant superintendent and former Covington superintendent, lauded for roughly 50 years in education and her key role in
consolidation and community support efforts.
Fred C. Vaughn, human resources director and former principal, honored for his work on personnel during consolidation, school safety, and his reputation as a calm presence in crises.
Superintendent comments and board remarks at the end of the public session returned repeatedly to three themes, the unusually large number of students recognized in academics, arts, and athletics, the breadth of volunteer support in local schools, and concern about finding new ways to increase parent participation in the years ahead.
Graduation for Alleghany Highlands students is scheduled for May 29. The board’s next regular meeting is set for June 15.
From left, Elijah Halterman, Ella Hicks and Angie Jones received Exceptional Volunteer Awards during the May 18 school board meeting in recognition of their service to Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. Marian Paxton, not pictured, was also recognized. All four honorees are now eligible for the Serve Virginia Honor Roll in recognition of their dedication to community service and support of local schools. (AHPS Photo)
