Athletic: * RCPS' 2023 graduating class had 17 student-athletes who will play at the collegiate level. * Miles Wilson of William Fleming High School was named the male winner of the Roanoke Jewish Federation B'nai B'rith Athletic and Achievement Award. * Ana Marie Rincon of Patrick Henry High School was named 5A Individual State Champion and 5D Individual Tennis Regional Champion in Girls Tennis. * Ana Maria Rincon and Sawyer Stephenson of Patrick Henry High School were named 5A State Champions and 5D Regional Champions in Girls Tennis Doubles. * Patrick Henry High School Boys Basketball team was the 5A State Runner-up, Regional Champions and District Regular and Tournament Champions. * Abu Yarmah and Brooks Derey of Patrick Henry High School were named 1st team all-state in boys basketball. * Abu Yarmah was named District and Region Boys Basketball Player of the Year. * Jada Cook of Patrick Henry High School was named 1st team all-state in girls basketball. * William Fleming High School Girls Basketball team were district champions. Fine Arts: * Patrick Henry High School Band received a Superior Rating in District Concert Assessments. * William Fleming High School Band received a Superior Rating in District Concert Assessments. * Patrick Henry High School Concert and Chamber Orchestras received a Superior Rating in District Concert Assessments. STAFF & DIVISION RECOGNITIONS Division: * Roanoke City Public Schools received the 2023 Empowered District Seal from EVERFI K-12, which recognizes an exemplary commitment to whole child education. * Roanoke City Public Schools received an Award of Excellence from the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association for its staff recruitment campaign. 2024 VBR LIFE 51 * Roanoke City Public Schools arts programs were featured in an episode of BUZZ, a TV show that airs on Blue Ridge PBS. * The NAMM Foundation has named RCPS one of the Best Communities for Music Education in 2023. This is the 11th consecutive year Roanoke City Public Schools has been recognized. Staff: * Dr. Verletta White received a Proclamation from Roanoke City Council and Roanoke City School Board for her inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment to educational equity in Roanoke City Public Schools. In addition, she was named: » 2024 Virginia Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. » Virginia's Region 6 Superintendent of the Year by her fellow superintendents in Western Virginia. » Virginia PTA Superintendent Power Partner of the Year. » One of 5 Superintendents to Watch in 2023 by education publication K-12 Dive. » Roanoke NAACP Youth Council Impactors of Excellence Award recipient. » Perneller Chubb-Wilson Award recipient by the Roanoke Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. * Kurrai Thompson, Principal of Fairview Elementary School, received the 2023 Black Girls Really Rock Award from the Continental Societies, Inc. Roanoke Chapter. * 19 operations workers and custodians completed their continuing education and certification with ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association). * Jack Esworthy of Patrick Henry High School was named District and Region Boys Basketball Coach of the Year. * Richard Wilson of William Fleming High School was named Blue Ridge District Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. * Ms. Johnson and Mr. Reisenbeck of Roanoke Technical Education Center at Gibboney Hall were chosen by the Virginia Council on Economic Education to be Teacher Fellows and will train teachers in topics related to Economics and Personal Finance. * Quiana Fields of Fallon Park Elementary School was named to Roanoker Magazine's 40 Under 40 List. * Adria Cintron of Woodrow Wilson Middle School was named Roanoke City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year. * Ashley Als of Preston Park Elementary was named Roanoke City Public Schools' Support Staff of the Year. * Kathy Sebolt of Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology received the Yale Educator Award. COURTESY OF ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS