Water salute for Beverley Manor; Stuart Hall graduation; Staunton Schools recognize area businesses: Chalkboard

Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader

Water salute for Beverley Manor Middle's final day

STAUNTON — Beverley Manor officially ended its run as a middle school Wednesday when kids left for the day, heading home for summer break. The school, which opened in 1989, will become home to some central office staff and for professional development for Augusta County Public Schools.

The school's sixth- and seventh- graders, as well as rising middle school students, will now attend the brand new Riverheads and Buffalo Gap middle schools opening in the fall.

As a send-off to Beverley Manor Middle School, and its students, the Swoope Volunteer Fire Department held a water cannon salute as the buses exited the parking lot Wednesday afternoon.

Swoope fire chief Ben Piner was once a student at Beverley Manor Middle. He said the firefighters started discussing the school's closing and the idea of a water cannon salute was mentioned. The members all liked the idea.

"We love our community, we love Swoope," Piner said.

Donna Wells, who represents the Beverley Manor District on the Augusta County School Board, was watching the salute from the parking lot Wednesday.

"It's an emotional day, for sure," Wells said. "I don't know how emotional it is for the students, they're excited about going to the two new middle schools, which is awesome. But this school has meant a lot to the community."

A water cannon salute from the Swoope Volunteer Fire Department sent Beverley Manor Middle School students off in style Wednesday on the last day of the school year.
A water cannon salute from the Swoope Volunteer Fire Department sent Beverley Manor Middle School students off in style Wednesday on the last day of the school year.

Stuart Hall graduation planned

STAUNTON — Twenty-two students will graduate from Stuart Hall School on Friday in a 6 p.m. ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church. The school will also commemorate the occasion with an awards ceremony and the Loving Cup, an annual tradition in which students and alumnae/i toast to the graduating seniors.

Stuart Hall’s graduating class includes day students from Staunton and surrounding towns, as well as boarding students from New York, California, Rwanda, Greece, Bermuda, France, Vietnam, and China.

Kareem El Naggar will serve as the student speaker for the commencement ceremony, having been selected by his classmates for the honor. Kareem is president of the Student Government Association, a Fox Founders’ Scholar, co-captain of the Moot Court team, a member of the Student Advancement Group, and plays in the Upper School Instrumental Ensemble.

This year’s graduates will matriculate to colleges and universities including Brown University, Scripps College, Clemson University, Radford University, University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Mary Washington and Shenandoah University. The Class of 2024 was accepted to 20 colleges and universities in Virginia, as well as many public and private universities across the country.

Staunton Schools recognize area businesses for their support

Carla Hansen, the vice president for the Staunton High School parent teacher student association said a group of businesses in the area helped support Staunton City Schools during the recent teacher appreciation week and throughout the school year.

Here is a list of business that supported Staunton High School, Shelburne Middle School, Bessie Weller Elementary, McSwain Elementary and Ware Elementary:

  • Blackburn Inn

  • Silly Shotz Photo Booth

  • Staples

  • Sweet As Honey

  • Consumers Auto Warehouse

  • Chipotle

  • Latitudes

  • Warehouse Auto Repair

  • Domino's

  • Anathallo Acres

  • Tidal Wave Carwash

  • Bojangles

  • Modernboy Workshop

  • Baja Bean

  • Augusta Health

  • Kline's

  • Depot Grille

  • Charlie Obaugh

  • Peterson Carwash

  • Jimmy John's

  • Crutchfield Store

  • Waynesboro Clay Studio

  • Refill Renew

  • Staunton Motors Inc

  • Glo Bowl Food Truck

  • Kaelyn Hawley Stylist

  • Cranberry's Grocery

  • Crucible Coffee

  • Henebry's Jewelry

  • Magdalena Bake

  • The Green Room

  • Split Banana

  • Reunion

  • Staunton Flying Pizza

  • Crack the Code

  • Remedy Burger

  • The By and By

  • Phoneix Yoga

  • Burrow & Vine

  • Redbeard Brewing Co

  • Sole Focus Running

  • Staunton Maker Space

  • Miller's Bake Shoppe

  • Temper & True

  • Michaelann Brescia Pottery

  • Book Dragon

  • Sue McKowen Pottery

  • Stretchology

  • Relax Therapeutic Massage

  • ShenanArts

  • Woodrow Wilson Library

  • American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse

  • Byers Street Bistro

  • Micha's Coffee

  • Blue Ridge Cutting Board Co

  • Nowalk Design Center

  • The Yard Party Co

  • Newtown Fitness Club

  • Milmont Greenhouses

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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. 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: Water salute for Beverley Manor; Stuart Hall graduation: Chalkboard

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