Hello, I’m Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools.  I want to welcome you to this online graduation for Cave Spring High School.  We all wish we were celebrating your success in person, however nothing can take away from the tremendous pride we feel for each and every one of you. 

 

Think of this online edition as part one for graduation. 

 

Later this summer or fall, we hope we can recognize our graduates in-person.  Until then, we are going to do the next best thing so that our seniors officially graduate on time.  I want to extend my sincere congratulations to each and every one of our graduates. 

 

The class of 2020 has become the most resilient class ever in Roanoke County Public Schools and I’m incredibly proud of how all our students have weathered this current pandemic. 

 

I look forward to the day when we will celebrate your success in person. 

 

And now, it’s my pleasure to introduce the Cave Spring High School Class of 2020.

 

(MUSIC)

 

Hello, I’m Steve Spangler, Principal of Cave Spring High School

 

On Behalf of the Class Of 2020

 

I would like to welcome students, families, and friends joining us online as we celebrate the 64th Commencement Exercise for Cave Spring High School.

 

Class of 2020, Congratulations!

 

While this graduation ceremony may not be the same as attending in person, it is still extremely important that we recognize the accomplishments and honors this graduating class.

After 13 years of education, this is a special day for our graduates where they crossover from being a kid to becoming an adult. It is a time to celebrate the years of hard work and the sacrifices our seniors have made to earn their diploma.

 

Despite the obstacles and challenges this class faced, they stayed focused on their goals knowing what it was going to take to achieve them.

 

I would like to take a little time to look back on what shaped, and defined this class.

 

Cave Spring High School was due for a total renovation for obvious reasons.

 

The building was old and outdated.

There was also another reason.

For many years, we had to keep a close eye on the weather forecast. When the area sustained heavy rains, it flooded.

Yes, you are seeing a person in a kayak in our parking lot. 

 

When these students entered the high school their 9th grade year, there was an expectation and uncertainty the renovation of Cave Spring High School would be taking place in the near future. School life was relatively normal the first two years of high school up to the last nine weeks of the 10th grade year.

 

Teachers were teaching and packing at the same time in anticipation of the construction. Our students and teachers were ready….. only to be disappointed with the failure of the first bid process in May delaying the start date.  

 

Their junior year started very similar as the previous two years. Traditional ceremonies and events took place and school life resumed with the uncertainty of when, or if the renovation would even take place. 

 

During that time Mr. Wray, Dr. Nicely, and other members of the school board worked diligently to find a way for the project to move forward.

 

Mission accomplished. It was time to put on the hardhat, rollup the sleeves and get dirty. In January it was go time. Avis wasted no time starting the demolition. After packing, un-packing, and then packing again, we finally made our way across the parking lot to our new “Home of the Knights”.

 

The move did come with a few complications.

 

The trailer companies delay setting the units gave all our students an extended break, which I heard no complaints.

 

We were then ready to start classes. On the first in our new home, the contractors struck the water main leading to the field and we were without water for a couple of hours.

 

In the following week, we hit the coldest temperatures of the year and the water lines froze.

 

Both events for obvious reasons affected the aromatic porta potties.

I feel certain the 13-month Tidy experience will be a memory, and for some a topic of discussion at future class reunions.

 

This school year started with a few minor adjustments with parking and traffic flow. Life on campus in our mobile learning centers (trailers) was the new normal we established the last school year. 

 

We honored annual traditions and events the best we could and wherever we could find space starting with the Knighting ceremony of Austin Hayden.  Student support for our teams home or away didn’t waver. The senior class turned challenging situations into a good time.

 

Being under construction, there was a good chance we would be the student theme at every away football game. Surprise, it didn’t faze this class a bit. The seniors embraced our circumstances keeping a positive outlook and the “Knight” school spirit alive.

 

Learning in a brick and mortar building with indoor plumbing, or a trailer park with outhouses, it didn’t matter because this was our home and we were going to make the best of it.

 

On January 1st all of us here at Cave Spring were devastated by the sudden death of Ashley Huray, a beloved Latin teacher for 15 years. Later in the program we will be awarding the first memorial scholarship in her name to a deserving student.

 

March 13th life as we know it changed, not only for us, but for the nation with the spread of the coronavirus. No one could have predicted their year would come to an end, or should I say a screeching halt.

 

Senior events and experiences were placed on hold, and many canceled. Instructional practices and means for finishing out the school year were developed and facemask selection for protection became a fashion statement when going out in public. 

 

Reflecting on our senior’s high school journey, it is obvious the class of 2020 has faced many challenges and overcome adversity no other class before, and I would venture to say no other class would ever experience in the years to come.

 

They have met these challenges and hardships head-on and have persevered making them more resilient and resourceful.

 

The individual and collective struggles reminds us to keep things in perspective, that life as we know it can change in a heartbeat and that we should never take things for granted.

 

A quote from Wade Boggs, major league baseball “Hall of Famer” fits this class.

 

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but the attitude we bring to life.”

 

Cave Spring High school has equipped this graduating class with the skills to be successful and help you succeed in making the most of your life.

 

You will find learning never stops. As you move on from Cave Spring and choose a career path, there will be new skills and lessons to learn along the way. The foundation developed and newly acquired knowledge will help you keep up with the pace of change and keep you engaged in the world around you. I am confident the class of 2020 is up to the challenge.

 

I said this last year, and I will say it again. The faculty and staff have been the stabilizing force and the glue that held the last two years together under trying circumstances. They continued to place emphasis on the quality of the academic programs and made sure our students had a good, productive, and happy school year.

 

I want to take this time to say thank you to this dedicated faculty and staff for supporting and challenging our students to be better.

 

I also want to thank Lori and the Cave Spring PTSO for their love and commitment to our school. We are grateful for the many hours spent to make our students and staff feel special.

 

Parents, I know you are very proud of your graduating sons and daughters.

 

Graduates, Please take the opportunity to thank everyone to who has given generously of their time and love.

 

Parents, on behalf of CSHS, we appreciate the support that you have provided your student and this school.

Thank You!

 

Each year it gives me great pleasure to highlight the honors and accolades academically and athletically of the graduating class.

 

Today we recognize 256 graduating seniors.

 

This class has been awarded in excess of

$2,740,000 Million in scholarships and other awards.

 

175 seniors have earned gold tassels signifying the overall achievement of 3.0 GPA or better.

 

We have 64 members carrying a 4.0 or better and will be recognized as Valedictorians.

 

85 seniors will receive a standard diplomas.

 

172 will receive advanced studies diplomas, while

 

121 students are candidates for diplomas with the governor’s seal.

 

This year we have one student with perfect attendance from kindergarten through the 12th grade. What an amazing accomplishment for Blake Waddell.

 

Kevin Sheng advanced to Finalist standing in the National Merit program based on his distinguished performance and high potential for future academic accomplishment. Finalists compete for National Merit, Corporate-sponsored, and College-sponsored scholarships. Kevin is a National Merit Finalist and scholarship recipient       

 

Kevin’s other honors in the area of Biomedical and Health Sciences are:

 

Grand Award Winner in Western Virginia Regional Science Fair this year and last.

 

Fourth award and scholarship winner, International Science and Engineering Fair in May of last year. Kevin qualified this year but unfortunately it had to be canceled due to COVID –19.

 

Kevin was also named Top 300 Scholar and scholarship recipient in this year’s 79th Science Talent Search

 

I have no doubt Kevin Sheng will have a significant impact on cancer research.

 

Later in this program, 14 additional departmental honors will be awarded.

 

I am proud to say for the 9th straight year, Us News and World Reports Placed Cave Spring High School on The List of Best High Schools in The State and Nationally.

 

This year Cave Spring High School had two teams make it to the Virginia High School League 3A State Championships.

 

Our Competition Cheer team is no stranger to the VHSL Championships. This year they were Regional Champions and 3A State Runner-up led by Seniors: 

Madison Lange

Erin Akins

Hannah Ireland

Olivia Bolling

Ryleigh Balzer

Hanna Hodges

 

Our basketball program was a true reflection of the spirit of this senior class. They practiced where they could find space, and played games where others would have us. Every game was a road game. They were well balanced, tenacious, and played with a purpose. Those attributes won them a district, region and State Championship. Senior leaders are:

Adnan Jasarevic

Jalen Buster

Lucas Duncan

Parker Huffman

Matt Cagle 

 

Jalen Buster received 1st team honors/VHSL 3A Player of the Year

 

Their leader, Jacob Gruse, instilled those attributes the described earlier. Coach Gruse was named 3A Coach of the Year.

 

Each year one male and one female student athlete represent their high school and compete for the B’nai B’rith Award. Selection is based on 50% athletics, 25% personal life including extra-curricular activities, and 25% scholarship. Austin Hayden and Abby Weaver represented Cave Spring High School this year.

 

Congratulations to All of our graduates for Upholding Cave Spring’s Tradition of Excellence.

 

At This Time We Will Hear From the Knight- Austin Hayden

 

Good Afternoon, Cave Spring High School Staff and Faculty, Principals, Parents and Grandparents, and my Graduating Class of 2020. I hope everyone out there watching this is doing well, staying healthy, and doing their due diligence when it comes to social distancing.

 First and foremost I want to give a big thank you to all of those who worked on getting our virtual graduation set up. During these difficult and stressful times the fact that a school and its community got together and planned this all out, well it gives me great pride to say that this is my home. I would also like to thank those parents who are watching that are on the front lines, fighting this virus. We are entirely indebted to you, and I thank you for all that y’all have done for us in the past few months. I finally wanted to thank Nicole, Matthew, Hallie, Nathaniel, Christian, Cyrus, and many more who worked or are working essential jobs in our senior class and making it so that we have food on the table and all the things we need for this.

So, to my Class of 2020, this school year has been, well, very unusual. I think we can all agree on that. It has been hard. I could stand up here for hours and talk about all the things that we as seniors missed out on. Both because of the virus and the trailer park. But I’m not going to do that. 1. Because that’s been talked about enough in your households, I’m sure, and 2. Because I’m short for time right now (funny) (hopefully). No, instead of talking about what we’ve lost this year, I want to talk about what we’ve gained. I truly believe that there is something to be learned in every hardship, in every curveball life may throw at us. So that next time, you see that curveball or something like it, you’ll knock it out of the park instead of whiffing. I read a quote once that hard times create a stronger people. And that is what we are. Because of what we’ve been through, we are stronger, tougher than those that came before us. We now know the importance of appreciating the little moments, and we know how to dig deep and push through when things become difficult or complicated. An example of this is when we go off to college and everyone around us is complaining about the dorms and specifically the bathrooms. And we’ll look back at the year when we had to use trailer park porta-johns during the hot days of August. And we’ll say, this setup’s not so bad (funny) (again hopefully).

We have also learned how reliant we are on each other. Because only through a group effort are we able to kick this virus away from our homes and our communities. We learned more about ourselves and about who we are because, as the saying goes, who you are is revealed not through the easy times, but through the hard ones. We are more reliant on each other now more than ever. And though the news will continue to show the dark spots of today, as is their job, I believe it’s important to look at how us as humans have banded together to do good and serve others rather than ourselves. I’ve seen countless celebrities and CEO’s using their power and influence to inspire others in a positive way. For example, the founders, CEOs, or chairmen of Lyft, Airbnb, Marriott, and Disney have all forgone their salaries for this year to allow for their workers to be paid. Sam Ehlinger and Trevor Lawrence, two top collegiate quarterbacks in Austin, TX and Clemson, SC respectively, have set up GoFundMe’s to support their local areas. These are the acts I choose to focus on during this time, selflessness in a time where it is easy to be selfish.

 

Similarly, I have seen selflessness and kindness in our own Senior Class, not just during the pandemic but before. I have seen little acts by teachers, students, and coaches alike. I have seen a Basketball Team that fought every game and made our school proud. I have seen students and teachers come together in memoriam of an incredible teacher and person Mrs. Huray. I watched as a senior class made something from nothing on our Homecoming week even embracing the whole trailer park idea, with a construction site entrance. I genuinely enjoyed that one by the way. Personally, I have witnessed two coaches in Coach Maguire and Coach Wiggins who lifted me and our cross country team up, and they told us that we were stronger than we thought we were. I witnessed Coach Collins, pushing us to be a better players, but an even better team. I have seen teachers showing up to the facility for AP Testing on test day with breakfast for those who haven’t eaten and words of encouragement.

These are the things I see, these are the people that I see. I don’t see fear, selfishness, or spite. I see a school that provides a graduation when none of us can physically meet, I see doctors and nurses putting their lives on the line for us, I see our own working essential jobs during an uncertain time, I see the rich and powerful kneeling down to help others less fortunate than themselves. And I see a tough, unbreakable graduating class that will be remembered for their ability to adapt and appreciate what we DO have, rather than dwell on what we don’t. It’s been an honor to be your Knight and to be among y’all for all these years. Thank you, Graduating Class of 2020, and stay safe out there.

 

Hello.  My name is Haley Deeds, one of the assistant principals at Cave Spring High School, and at this time it gives me a great deal of pleasure to present the Academic Achievement Awards.  The distinction of being a Valedictorian is earned by accomplishing a 4.0 grade point average or better.  I am proud to present the following individuals who have earned that distinction in alphabetical order:

 

(READING OF NAMES)

Phillip Lloyd Becher

Campbell Paige Best

Zachary Thomas Bishop

Alexander Willcox Blanton

Grady James Brydges

Nicole Diana Selase Bulla

Matthew Patrick Cagle

Michael Arthur Cavicchio

Jennifer Elizabeth Colebrook

Ashley Grace Creekmore

Sophie Chinae Currier

Luke Daniel DeFalco

Madison Elizabeth Doceti

Aida Mariam Doucoure

Katherine Annette Durica

Eric Michael Eisenzimmer

Lauren Grace Frampton

Owen Mead Ghaphery

Patrick Edward Goodman

Elijah Paul Hadfield

Mills Hastings Harris

Paige Madison Hennen

Will Edward Henritze

Lucas Jason Holt

Zoey Elizabeth Hughes

Colten Angelo Iademarco

Lauren Elizabeth Kadolph

Dillon Reginald Key

Cameron David Killinger

Elliott Lee Kroll

Lena Katherine Kwitny

Nathaniel Christian Laprade

Sophia Claire LeGault

Morgan Kioko Rai Martin

Sofia Isabella Midkiff

Eliana Joelle Miller

Benjamin Robert Mone

Emily Teresa Murano

Kayla Sue Mutter

Venkata Sujith Panchumarthy

Jay Upendra Patel

Caitlin Maureen Sullivan Phillips

Marisa Shih Quesenberry

Jordan Lindsay Rearick

Roxanne Tara Robinson

Maya Surekha Sawh

Magdalena Rose Scaer

Simone Kathleen Schumaecker

Nathan Cade Sharp

Kevin L Sheng

Kobey Robert Simon

Rachael Nicole Snodgrass

Nandini Sriram

Nicole Marie Struzinsky

Trieu Trien Tran

Miles Benjamin Vance

Joshua Caelan Wainwright

Abigail Marie Weaver

Jessica Cedar Wei

Andrew David Wheeler

Gracie Elizabeth Wiseman

 

This scholarship honors our colleague Ashley Huray who was called home on January 1 this year. There was shock. There was disbelief. There was pain. As all of us -- her family, friends, colleagues, and students -- struggled with the loss, bit by bit we also started to share our stories. And we began to smile and even laugh, something Ashley would have loved. This scholarship memorializes Ashley’s legacy of honor, character, leadership, and service. For those of us who knew her well, we smile as we remember that those qualities were packaged with her special trademark: sunshine mixed with a little hurricane. At this time I’d like to introduce Andy Huray who will announce the recipient of this year’s scholarship.

 

I greatly appreciate the hard work and generosity that have gone into creating this scholarship to honor Ashley. Thank you to all who have contributed. And thank you all for being so supportive. It is my pleasure to present the first recipient of the Ashley Huray Memorial Scholarship to Owen Ghaphery.

 

And now Nicole Bulla will perform the song, “For Good”

 

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

For the things I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know

There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been

Changed for the better?

I do believe I have been

Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

Because I knew you...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for good...

 

Good afternoon. I’m Chuck Parker, assistant principal at Cave Spring High School, and I have the distinct privilege of presenting this year’s Faculty Awards.  At this time, I would like to explain the significance of this honor.  Faculty awards are given by our teachers to recognize the outstanding performance and academic achievement of seniors in their respective departments.  This year’s recipients are:

English – Maya Sawh

Social Studies- Grady Brydges

Math- Matt Cagle

Science- Charles Collier

World Language- Phillip Becher

Business- Jalen Buster

Marketing- Gracie Wiseman

PE- Hunter Morris

Art- Andrew Keller

Tech Ed- Michael Cavicchio

Burton Center for Arts & Technology - Andria Sowder & Robert Pickelsimer

Band- Katherine Durica

Choir- Nicole Bulla

Family and Consumer science- Dante Whitley

 

Now we will present the Cave Spring High School student scholarships.

 

I am Brian Hall, Dean of Students at Cave Spring High School, and it is my pleasure to announce this year’s faculty scholarships.

Awarding faculty scholarships to selected students at graduation is a long-standing tradition at Cave Spring High School.  The recipients are determined by a vote of the faculty. 

Congratulations to the following two students:

Josh wainwright and Andrew Wheeler

The following students have earned   straight A’s during their entire high school career based on final grades including semester 1 of senior year. These students are receiving the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award.

Grady Brydges

Aida Doucoure

Katherine Durica

Paige Hennen

Lucas Holt

Maya Sawh

Simone Schumaecker

Kevin Sheng

Kobey Simon

Joshua Wainwright

Abigail Weaver

Gracie Wiseman

 

Congratulations to the recipients of this well-deserved award.

Class of 2020 – We wish you nothing but the best in the future and congratulations!

At this time, I would like to introduce Lauren Frampton to give our student address.

 

To the most infamous graduating class in history:

Today is about you, the students of Cave Spring High School/trailer park/homeschool. Over the past four years, we have grown not only in knowledge, but in character and wisdom. Coming into the original building for the first day of class, we were anxious to start the next great milestone of our lives, one which would be characterized by embarrassing hall passes, walking infinite laps to avoid class, getting smushed in the annex, and building unforgettable relationships with our peers and teachers.

In our freshman year, we quickly learned where to stand in the student section, which upperclassman we should befriend, and just how crazy our teachers really were. Homecoming was certainly not what we expected, but we found ways to make the best of it. We looked up to the current seniors, the ones whose spirit radiated through the stands and scared us half to death during spirit week.

Sophomore year, things began to settle out a little bit – we thought we knew it all, looking down upon all the little freshman. We suffered through gym classes and driver’s ed, demolishing every cone from the drunk driver simulation along the way. We discovered – and pushed – the boundaries of procrastination and some of us even joined sports and clubs that allowed us to truly express who we thought we wanted to be.

Finally approaching the critical junior year, we were caught drowning in AP classes, exams, and more homework than we knew existed, yet you’d still find us driving all across our little town, exploring every overlook on the parkway, entranced by the vague idea of freedom that came with finally having a license.  Amidst the chaos, we became school-less while we petitioned our fate for the new “learning cottages.” As we begrudgingly became accustomed to our new outdoor, open-air campus, we finally learned just how much we had taken indoor plumbing for granted. Thankfully, for many of us, junior year was defined by our first (albeit only) prom. We danced in circles and sang our hearts out until Mr. Hall put on Baby Shark: that’s when the party really began. We indulged on after-prom junk food and got fake tattoos, becoming kids again as we played carnival games and ran through bouncy houses. Coming to the end of the year, we suffered through AP tests and looked forward to the year ahead: 2020. Our Year.

Let me start with this: it is okay to be disappointed. It is okay to wish things had turned out differently. Still stuck in trailers, we made the most out of our unfortunate situation, leading the student section at every football game, taking senior photos, touring the new school, hosting our own Sadie’s Dance, and cheering on our boys’ basketball team as they forged the road to becoming state champions. Even with all the incredible memories this year has provided, we have suffered some of the greatest losses. We are the class that lost career-ending seasons, senior prom, recognition banquets, beach week, graduation, and one of the most incredible people we will ever be blessed enough to have met: Mrs. Ashley Huray. In the words of Steven Landsman, “Her personality as a teacher was so rare to connect to her kids, and even if you didn’t know who she was, you’ve heard about her. She was so relatable and easy to talk to. In Latin, she would always tell us, “Vale Vetus Amicus,” which means “I’m gonna miss you old friend,” and we certainly miss her and her “Good morning I love you”s every single day.”

In the wake of tragedy, heartbreak, and adversity, let us not focus on what we have lost, but on who we have become: the students who united to celebrate the life of a loved one, the students who made light of walking to porta potties in the rain, the students who unrelentingly cheered on our football team, who always gave it a solid effort, the students that graffitied every inch of our former falling down school, the students who made life-long friendships and unforgettable memories. There are still many mistakes to be made and later laughed at, reunions to be had, and relationships to be formed. There are still games to be played, songs to be danced to, a stage to be walked across, and goodbyes to be said. To every teacher, administrator, family member, coach, and friend that has enlightened us to explore all the world has to offer: thank you.

Let this year be known for who we truly are: the Knights of Cave Spring High School, graduating class of 2020.

 

My name is Harrilyn Mills, and I serve as chair of the English Department at Cave Spring High School. It is my pleasure to announce the graduates of the Cave Spring High School Class of 2020.

 

(READING OF NAMES)

Brian Austin Hayden – Cave Spring Knight

Maya Christyne Monsour – Senior Class President

Abdullah Isam Abdulkhaleq

David Gene Adams III

Christian Noel Adkins

Jadan Alese Akerson

Erin Marye Akins

Andrew Luke Allder

Kaitlyn Saudyia Alli

Lucas Cole Alouf

William Graham Altizer

Amber Lynn Arthur

Jennifer Lee Asbury

Carson Jase Askew

Makayla Lyi Aviles

Ryleigh Dawn Balzer

Nathan Anthony Banning

Phillip Lloyd Becher

Lance Braden Beheler

Logan Shane Belcher

Campbell Paige Best

Zachary Thomas Bishop

Alexander Willcox Blanton

Cayce McKenna Boone

Alexis Grace Boush

Olivia Page Bowling

Brianna Nicole Bradley

Damien Jaret Brads

Grady James Brydges

Nicole Diana Selase Bulla

Laine Marie Burchinal

Jalen Gregory Buster

Matthew Patrick Cagle

Grayson Alexander Campbell

Michael Roy Cannon

Dymond Brianna Carmon

Allison Pannill Carter

Ryan Elizabeth Cass

Bailey Evelyn Cassell

Michael Arthur Cavicchio

Kenneth Nathan Chapman

Ethan Keith Coates

Jennifer Elizabeth Colebrook

Charles Christopher Collier

Thanaira Liz Colón Santiago

Tazewell Briggs Cooper

Jack Matthew Cowher

Austin Grant Craddock

Ethan Alexander Craddock

Ashley Grace Creekmore

Tobias Aidan Crooke

Megan Marie Crowe

Sophie Chinae Currier

Caroline Elizabeth Daly

Oyis Mark Daroshefski

Luke Daniel DeFalco

Mehmet Akif Alexander Demir

Eric Michael Dmochowski

Madison Elizabeth Doceti

Aida Mariam Doucoure

Makayla Jane Dowdy

Elizabeth Ann Draper

Lucas Allen Duncan

Katherine Annette Durica

Jabin Cornielus Duviella

Ashlyn Lea Echols

Reagan Victoria Edmunds

Tiffany Laken Edwards

Eric Michael Eisenzimmer

Matthew Wayne English

Andrew Harris Ferguson

Lauren Grace Frampton

Riley Giovanni Freccero

Olivia Grace Furrow

Owen Mead Ghaphery

Evan Spencer Gillispie

Emily Rae Gilstrap

Caroline Ware Glenn

Samantha Gobellan

Brooklin MaKhia Goff

Patrick Edward Goodman

James Dale Graham

Kaylin Michaela Grahame

Elijah Paul Hadfield

Dylan Chase Hammes

Shad Zachary Hannabass

Mills Hastings Harris

Bryden Kasee Harvey

Andrew John Hayes

Paige Madison Hennen

Nicholas Hogan Henritze

Will Edward Henritze

Matthew Cole Heslep

Hannah Kay Hodges

Baylee Anne Hodson

Tyler Vincent Hoffman

Lucas Jason Holt

Ashton Reese Howard

Jaclyn Renée Howard

Logan Glenn Howard

Julia Hope Hrysenko

Parker Hardy Huffman

Nevaeh Ann Hughes

Zoey Elizabeth Hughes

Colten Angelo Iademarco

Bilal Iftikhar

Leonardo Mauricio Inga Zavaleta

Hannah Lynn Ireland

Connor John Jarczynski

Adnan Jasarevic

Julianna Dupuis Jenkins

Asha Laila Johnson

Kristin Michaela Johnson

Lauren Elizabeth Kadolph

Mikala Grace Kanode

Shania Denise Kasey-Mays

Andrew Wayne Keller

Tyler Lukas Kendrick

Kya Lee Kerznar

Dillon Reginald Key

Richard Henry Kidwell

Cameron David Killinger

Elliott Lee Kroll

Lena Katherine Kwitny

Steven Michael Landsman

Chloe Isabella Lane

Madison Taylor Lange

Nathaniel Christian Laprade

Emily Brooke Lawson

Lia Nicole Lawson

Grace Ann Layman

Sophia Claire LeGault

Zachelle Lexima

Nawei Li

Joshua David Long

Ty Evan Looney

Hatley Grace Loop

Rayner DeJesus Lora

Bryanna Lee Lowry

Broderick Conner Luckey

Michael Joseph Mahoney

Jacob Matthew Mannon

David Hamilton Martin

Morgan Kioko Rai Martin

Tyler Anakin Martin

Sofia Isabella Midkiff

John Henry Clay Milby

Alexia Faith Miller

Eliana Joelle Miller

Parker Stafford Mills

Mackenzie James Mish

Dawson Wayne Mitchell

Maliah Nicole Mizack

Benjamin Robert Mone

Kieera Raeanne Mooney

Kelsey Grace Moore

Hunter Andrew Morris

Nicholas Kelley Mort

Nicholas Charles Moses

Philip James Mowles

Emily Teresa Murano

Kayla Sue Mutter

Jenna Elizabeth Nardone

Jarrett Page Neese

Ashton Anthony Sacco Nichols

Charlie Elizabeth Nichols

Dixie Lynn Overfelt

Kaden Daniel Oxendine

Cyrus Thomas Pace

Benjamin Gabriel Palisca

Venkata Sujith Panchumarthy

Harsh Patel

Jay Upendra Patel

Raj Bhupendra Patel

Natalie Alyssa Paul

Dylan Scott Pennington

Caitlin Maureen Sullivan Phillips

Rebecca Mae Picard

Robert Wesley Pickelsimer

Christa Lena Potgieter

Julius Dashawn Price

Alexzandra Renee Puthoff

Samuel Scott Quakenbush

Marisa Shih Quesenberry

Dawood Rashid

Matthew David Razvillas II

Jordan Lindsay Rearick

Primeminister Reece

Dylan Blayde Rice

Haylee Nicole Rice

Jaxon Cole Rinn

Roxanne Tara Robinson

Conner James Rogers

Jacob Ashby Roragen

Elijah Isaiah Ruffin

Maya Surekha Sawh

Magdalena Rose Scaer

Simone Kathleen Schumaecker

Christian Montgomery Sciullo

Matthew Montgomery Sciullo

Logan Elizabeth Scott

Sakib Shadab

Nathan Cade Sharp

Charlotte Madison Shelor

John Ollie Shelor

Kevin L Sheng

Kobey Robert Simon

Haili Shae Sink

Fabienne Sinko

Lance Devan Sipes

Samuel Lee Slate

Cody Ryan Smith

Rachael Nicole Snodgrass

Madison Haley Snowden

Andria Marie Brown Sowder

Nandini Sriram

Mahmoud Mohammed Hasan Srour

Madelynn Mae Stephens

Nicole Marie Struzinsky

Savannah Christine Stump

Avery Brooke Sutherland

Bradley Evan Taylor

Tori Lee Teller

Trieu Trien Tran

Caroline Chloe Treubert

Tristan Trinidad Tryal

Jasmine Renee Turner

Jahiem Edward Tyler

Lana van Jaarsveld

Miles Benjamin Vance

Blake Aaron Waddell

Henry Thomas Wagner

Joshua Caelan Wainwright

Ashlynn Nicole Ward

Tahlek Kaedon Washington

Abigail Marie Weaver

Jessica Cedar Wei

Hallie Grace Weitzenfeld

Nicholas Allen Welch

Grace Lauren Welsh

Alissa Del Mar Westerband

Andrew David Wheeler

Logan Elizabeth White

Samantha Marie White

Dante Anthony Deon Whitley

Clifton Jerome Williams Jr

Reeselynn Belle Williams

Joshua Allen Lee Williamson

Dakota Joy Wilson

Gracie Elizabeth Wiseman

Connor Damen Womack

Blaise Anthony Wood

Amethyst Rain Wright

Tavia Alexis Wright

Nicholas Thomas Wynn

 

I’m Mike Wray, Roanoke County School Board Member for the Cave Spring District.  This is not how we wanted to honor you during this important milestone in your life.  You have all looked forward to your senior year of high school.  Due to these unprecedented times, you won’t get to experience a normal graduation or a senior prom.  You have endured a complete renovation project for your school. I invite you to come back and visit your newly renovated school when it is safe to do so.  You have successfully gotten through having class in educational cottages (also known as trailers).  Changing classes in the snow, rain, heat and cold created a different learning environment and then everything changed with the COVID-19 pandemic.  You have developed into young adults with unlimited boundaries.  You will move on with your life accomplishing many things.  You will carry the memories of elementary, middle and high school with you for the rest of your life.  You may not have had the experience of a normal graduation or senior year, but everyone is proud of you.

 

Let me close with something I read recently.  Behind you are all of your memories.  Before you are all your dreams.  Around you are those who live you.  Within you all you need.

 

Thank you Cave Spring Knights and congratulations on a well-deserved and earned diploma.

 

 

Kaitlyn’s Intro:

Well, we did it. Our class of 2020 has overcome many obstacles in order to just reach one milestone; high school graduation. From the move into the trailer park, to being unable to spend the rest of our eventful year together, as well as to other countless obstacles we have encountered, I would say that that’s more than enough for the class of 2020 to endure.

We may not be able to walk on our graduation day, but it sure is an unforgettable one. And we may not be able to celebrate as we wanted with all the familiar faces and giggles and laughs, but we can still throw our caps in the air and say we did it.

Over the past few days, Sophie Legault and I have put together a graduation video full of memories and irreplaceable moments that we’ve all experienced together. Although this year took a huge turn for all of us, we hope this can be something that you can look back on in 5, 10, even 50 years from now.

Today, and for the rest of our lives, we should always be proud of the person we have become and how much dedication it took to get here. We can’t go back to change the beginning, but we can start here and change the ending. Congratulations, to the class of 2020.

 

 

Dear Class of 2020,

Maya: I think we knew we were going to get the short end of the stick when rumors about construction began flying around sophomore year. However, last year, after some adjusting, we realized that our location might have changed to the other side of the parking lot, but fundamentally as a class we remained the same.

Sam:                We found ways to make light of our situation. We dressed up and decorated accordingly for Homecoming, we enjoyed the sunny days outside, sitting in our cars before school, and even though we shouldn’t, we must admit that it was kind of nice to share the campus with only the sophomores and juniors.

Julie:                This is the first lesson we learned this year. That we as a class, can adjust. We make the best of crappy situations and we turn them to our favor. We are optimistic, easygoing, and flexible.

Matthew:        The second lesson was not as easy to learn. This one, is the fact that you never know who you are going to miss until you can’t see them anymore. People touch our lives in many ways. Sometimes as simple as a smile. Many of us learned this on January 1st. But through this we also learned that recovery is possible. And it must happen by reaching out and being kind, caring, and helpful to those in need.

Ashton:           Arguably, it is these two lessons that we learned in the first half of the year that prepared us for the longest months of our lives. Days, weeks, and months where we were suddenly forced to adjust. Forced to no longer be in the company of the friends, classmates, and teachers that we love.

Austin:             But, this is how I know we will prevail. Because we, more than any other class in our district, state, country, and even the world, were prepared. Every single hardship we faced, we faced together. And I know that no matter what life throws at us, our years at Cave Spring High School provided us with bonds and memories that will stay with us forever.

Sophie:            When you look back on this time, five, ten, fifty years from now, I hope that you smile, despite what we have been through. I hope that you remember how we have grown together, from the time we walked into the school as freshmen, to when we unknowingly walked out of the trailer park one odd, fateful Thursday in March. But most importantly, I hope that you realize just how lucky you are to be a Knight, and a part of the Class of 2020.

 

 

I would like to thank Sophie and Kaitlin for the tribute to the senior class

 

To All Our Graduates….  Congratulations on this very important achievement.

 

I’m certain that the day will come when we think back on this time and remember not only the struggles and smelly restrooms, but the genuine friendships you have developed with one another and the many happy memories and good times. The class of 2020 will always have a common bond.

 

Class Of 2020… Please Rise 

 

By the power vested in me by the Roanoke County School Board and The Virginia Department of Education, I now declare you as graduates of Cave Spring High School’s Class Of 2020!

 

You may now move your tassels to the left

 

Best of luck, good-bye, and I hope you will always be proud of being a Knight!

 

Congratulations to all the high school graduates out there.  My name is coach Bennett and I’m the head coach at the University of Virginia, and I’m sincerely wishing you the best, whether it’s going on to college or whatever you’re going to do – a job well done to get through high school, and you guys are our future.  We need you, and I know the future’s bright, so again, I wish you the best, and congratulations on this impressive accomplishment.

 

Congratulations William Byrd class of 2020!  You’ve worked hard to achieve your goals.  Chased your dreams with effort, passion and hard work.  In the words of country singer Tim McGraw, always stay humble and kind.

 

Hey there Cave Spring High School class of 2020, this is Tiki Barber, class of 1993 and former Knight.  First of all, I just want to say that I hope you and your families are healthy and safe during this unprecedented time that we find ourselves in.  I’d also like to send prayers to those of you who have friends or loved ones that are frontlining this pandemic.  A sincere thank you to them.  I guess unconventional would be the best way to describe these last few months for you all but adversity is nothing new, right?  You guys spent much of your senior year in classroom trailers.  Unique to say the least, but it’s that uniqueness of experience that will prepare you for all the other challenges that come your way.  I know it’s been a bummer to have missed spring sports other activities these last weeks, and it’s lonely not being able to personally interact with your friends, but remember that obstacles will always be a part of your life, and every one of them is an opportunity to try and do something new or different.  I’ve always said that opportunities are seldom perfect, but if you’re not ready for them, they might not come again, so always be aware.  Now you’re not walking across the stage, yet, but the pride that every shoulder that you’ve stood on in your life is beaming through the distance and applauding you, and I do the same.  Congratulations graduates!  Your journeys are just beginning, I’m excited for the amazing paths that you guys are going to walk down.  Be well, stay blessed and go Knights!

 

(MUSIC)