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Picture By: Demon's Voice Staff
Pictured from left to right: Andrew Hill, Henry Vasquez, Abbie King, and Karly Bush.
CHS August Students of the Month
CHS August Students of the Month
By: Faith McDowell
Every month throughout the school year, Christiansburg High School teachers recognize four students who display academic excellence, hard work, compassion, and school involvement. Furthermore, these students are responsible, respectful, and connected, exhibiting the core values of CHS. The 2022 CHS August Students of the Month are freshman, Abbie King; sophomore, Andrew Hill; junior, Karly Bush; and senior, Henry Vasquez.
Abbie King was chosen to represent the freshman class August Student of the Month. King is 14 years old and the daughter of Michelle and Brannon King. So far at CHS, King is involved in theater, choir, and the Environmental Club. Her hobbies and interests include interior design, business, writing, and art. Her teachers share that King “stays engaged in class and always has something to add. She is positive and a pleasure to teach. She has a lot of knowledge on subjects that she ties into the class discussions.” In the future, King plans to own a sports and fine art academy.
Representing the sophomore class, Andrew Hill has been chosen to be August Student of the Month. Hill is 15 years old and the son of Patty Taylor and Michael Giordano. In school, he is involved in SAGA and honors classes. Outside of CHS, Hill enjoys studying, gaming, and talking to his friends. One of his teachers added, “Andrew is always positive even when faced with challenges. He never gives up and is always willing to help others.” They continued, “He sets the bar high for himself and does whatever he can to reach them. He always has a smile, and is a great representative of our core values here at CHS!” After graduation, Hill wants to work on cybersecurity at Harvard.
Karly Bush is the junior class August Student of the Month. Bush is 16 years old and the daughter of Kevin and Lacy Bush. She is involved in many extracurricular activities including varsity soccer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Yearbook Club. Additionally, she is the Secretary of the National Art Honor Society. In her free time, Bush enjoys photography and painting. One of her teachers added, Bush is “very respectful to teachers and students.” They continued, she “ goes above and beyond on classwork and homework.” After high school, Bush plans to study kinesiology at James Madison University.
Lastly, the faculty and staff of CHS have chosen Henry Vasquez as the senior class August Student of the Month. Vasquez is 17 years old. During school he likes to talk to his friends and do work. His hobbies and interests include playing soccer, going to the gym, working, and going out with his friends. Vasquez’s teacher added, he is “always helpful with our Spanish speaking students.” In addition, they added, Vasquez “is a great mentor for these students and his fellow classmates, always happy to help with a smile!” After high school, Vasquez plans to go work at a dealership.
Congratulations to the four winning students who represent the three core values of CHS. The students, faculty, and staff of Christiansburg High School would like to congratulate and recognize these students for their hard work and for serving as role models to their peers here at CHS. They are wished the best as they continue their educational journey.
CHS September Students of the Month
CHS September Students of the Month
By: Faith McDowell
Throughout the school year, Christiansburg High School recognizes one student each month from each grade level who has shown excellence in their academic and extracurricular activities and their presence of good character. These students have demonstrated the three core values of CHS; responsible, respectful, and connected. The September Students of the Month are freshman, Paige Walker; sophomore, Blythe Akers; junior, Cory Jones; and senior, Thaxton Henley.
Paige Walker, the CHS September Student of the Month for the freshman class, is 14 years old and the daughter of Courtney and Steve Walker. She is a member of the CHS Marching Band and Jazz Band, playing the flute. Outside of school, Walker enjoys playing guitar, listening to 80’s music, and playing video games. Her teachers speak of Walker very highly. She is “very respectful, contributes to class discussions, is a leader in the classroom, and gives great effort.” After high school graduation, Walker plans to become a meteorologist and work in the computer department. Additionally, she hopes to start a band one day.
The sophomore class CHS September Student of the Month is Blyth Akers. Akers is 15 years old and the daughter of Brenna and Tim Akers. She is in many clubs, such as, DECA, HOSA, and the Social Club. Additionally, Akers is a member of the CHS Volleyball and Basketball teams. Outside of school, she also competes in these sports. Her teachers added, Akers “strives to complete her work and maintain a positive and friendly demeanor. She does a fantastic job of maintaining her balance of extracurricular activities while dedicating ample time to complete her work.” They continued, “She never fails to be helpful to her peers, and is a great example of always showing positivity.” After high school, Akers plans to attend college on an academic or sports scholarship.
Representing the junior class, Cory Jones has been chosen as CHS September Student of the Month. Jones is 16 years old and the son of Lisa and Casey Jones. At school, he focuses on attendance, getting straight A’s, and making people laugh. His hobbies and interests include making money, watching Youtube, helping his mom, and going to work. Jones' teachers state, “Cory is deeply interested in learning as much as he can while in class. He is kind to his classmates and is always willing to lend a peer's perspective in explaining a concept to classmates.” They continued, “For his all around great attitude and the positive attitude he brings everywhere he goes, Cory Jones is a deserving student of the month.” After high school graduation, Jones plans to attend NRCC then transfer to Radford University. He wishes to become a high school history teacher.
The CHS September Student of the Month for the senior class is Thaxton Henley. Henley is 17 years old and the son of Brad Henley and Stephanie Collins. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Demon’s For Sheltered Animals. Henley also plays varsity football and baseball at CHS. Outside of school, he enjoys playing sports and hanging out with his friends and family. His teachers have seen his “thoughtful and considerate” interactions with his classmates. They added, he uses “ kind, positive words” and has a “willingness to strike up conversations and get to know these classmates.” They continued, Henley is “an all around great young man and very deserving of being named Student of the Month.” After graduation, Henley plans to attend a four year university for baseball.
Congratulations to the four students that have been recognized for their excellence in achievement and character. Their accomplishments have been noticed by the faculty and staff of CHS. They are encouraged to continue their hard work and kindness and are wished the best of luck as they continue their journey.
Photo Courtesy of Paige Walker
The freshman class CHS September Student of the Month, Paige Walker.
Picture By: Demon's Voice Staff
Blythe Akers, the CHS September Student of the Month for the sophomore class.
Photo Courtesy of Cory Jones
Cory Jones, the CHS September Student of the Month for the junior class.
Picture By: Demon's Voice Staff
Thaxton Henley, the CHS September Student of the Month for the senior class.
Photo by: Demon's Voice Staff
Lauren Kwak, the MCPS September Senior of the Month.
Lauren Kwak Recognized as MCPS September Senior of the Month
Lauren Kwak Recognized as MCPS September Senior of the Month
By: Bridget Miller
Montgomery County students are exceptional with academics, extracurriculars, and other activities in the community. One outstanding student from each school in Montgomery County is chosen each month to be an MCPS Senior of the Month. Christiansburg High School’s Senior for the Month of September is Lauren Kwak. Kwak has been awarded for her excellent academics, numerous extracurricular, and various other awards and offices.
Kwak has a vast range of activities that she is involved in at CHS. She has attended the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School for both her eleventh and twelfth grade years. Additionally, she is a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, the CHS drumline, and practices in Jiu Jitsu. Kwak is the senior class president, and is currently pursuing an Associates Degree through New River Community College. Outside of school, she is an active member of her church, and volunteers at her Sunday School with her mother. When asked about her favorite activity in high school, she said marching band was the most enjoyable for her, and says, “I love being on drumline with my friends and getting to perform at football games during halftime.”
Throughout high school, she has shown academic excellence, as well as dedication to staying connected through clubs. Kwak exhibits the core values of CHS, which makes her well equipped to be the September MCPS Senior of the Month.
Throughout high school, Kwak has received various awards that recognize her academic excellence. She was the first place winner in Chemistry for the Governor’s School Science Consortium, as well as earning the Grand Award for Biological Science in 2022. Other awards from the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School are the Gell-Mann Award in Physics, Faculty Award for Excellence, Tukey Award for Exceptionally Significant Performance in Statistics, Award of Excellence in Calculus, and Outstanding Science and Technology Award. Additionally, Kwak received awards at the Blue Ridge Highlands Science Fair. These include: first place in Chemistry, third place in Virginia Public Health and Healthcare, and the Outstanding Chemistry Project Award. Kwak says the accomplishment she is most proud of is “earning several first place awards last year for my science fair project.” She was also listed on the NRCC President’s list from 2021 to 2022, recognizing her academic success in both dual enrollment and advanced placement courses.
Additionally, Kwak has been praised by her teachers for her respectful and hardworking nature in the classroom. One of her teachers talks about her work ethic, saying “Lauren wants nothing more than to succeed. Despite all of her success in class, she is not primarily motivated by grades. She wants to find solutions and answers to problems and/or questions.” Her teacher mentions another admirable quality, describing how “she is also a student who does not give up in defeat or failure. She merely gathers herself and tries again- working to overcome obstacles that stand in her path and not allowing her circumstances to define her.” Her teachers also express their full confidence in her, saying “All of these qualities will help her find success in college and future endeavors.”
When asked about her biggest challenge throughout high school, she responds by saying, “I found that getting back into the school mindset after the pandemic to be really challenging.” Additionally, she shares advice for underclassmen: “Life is too short for you to stress about a bad hair day, an awkward conversation, or a few bad grades. Be kind and understanding to everyone, including yourself.” Throughout high school Kwak has learned to enjoy it all, and to not stress over small matters .
After high school, Kwak plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering. Kwak exceptionally displays the core values of CHS, as well as determination, rigor, and high academic achievements. Through her hard work, she represents our school and county as a hopeful, talented, and involved student. She is congratulated for all she has accomplished, and wished the best of luck on her future endeavors.
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