New Shelburne band director; Open houses Augusta County middle schools; new Riverheads golf coach

New band director at Shelburne Middle

STAUNTON — Shelburne Middle School has announced Hannah Greer-Young as its new band director. She will be co-teaching band with Charlie Nesmith, and teaching choir classes at Shelburne.

She replaces Jon Wilson, who has moved to Staunton High School as the new band director. Greer-Young will assist Wilson with the Storm marching band.

Before moving to Virginia, Greer-Young taught middle school band and elementary music in Ohio from 2017-2022. In 2024, she graduated with a master's degree in music education from James Madison University, where she served as a graduate teaching assistant in the music education department.

While at JMU, Greer-Young won several awards and grants for her research in music education, and now serves on an ethical practices for music education task force through the National Association for Music Education. She has received invitations to showcase her research at state conferences across the country and facilitates professionalism and ethics training for pre-service music educators at multiple universities.

In 2024 she won the “Best Oral Presentation” award from the JMU Graduate School in recognition of her work establishing the JMU Lab Band, a free enrichment program for band students in the Shenandoah Valley.

Ribbon cuttings for new Augusta County middle schools

With two new middle schools scheduled to open this fall in Augusta County, the public is invited to tour both before the doors open for students.

Buffalo Gap Middle School will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house Wednesday, July 31 at 5 p.m. The school is located at 1770 Buffalo Gap Highway, Swoope, right next to the high school. Following the ribbon cutting, tours will be given. The Churchville Ruritan Club will provide refreshments.

The Augusta County School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at Buffalo Gap High School following the open House Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. This meeting will take the place of the Aug. 1 meeting.

Two days later, on Aug. 2, Riverheads Middle School will hold a ribbon cutting as well. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. with remarks by the school's principal, Adam Mulcahy and Augusta County Public Schools Superintendent Eric Bond.

Tours of the school and refreshments will following the ribbon cutting.

The school is located at 240 Don Hanger Circle, Staunton. It is behind the high school and across the road from the elementary school.

The two new middle schools will replace Beverley Manor Middle and give Augusta County a total of five middle schools.

Riverheads names new golf coach, new AD

GREENVILLE — Riverheads High School announced Deacon Moore as the school's new head golf coach. Moore, a member of the Riverheads class of 2020, is also a member of the boys basketball coaching staff at the high school.

Moore is a four-time state champion as a member of the Riverheads football team (2016-2019) and a member of the only regional championship in Riverheads basketball history (2019-20).

Moore replaces Patrick Weller as the golf coach. Weller was recently named the new athletic director at Riverheads High School. Weller will continue as both the school's boys basketball coach and a physical education teacher at the high school.

Pork for the Pantry supports 4H, FFA youth with donation

VERONA — Pork for the Pantry continued to support Augusta County 4-H and FFA Youth livestock programs, as well as local food pantries, with a recent donation of fresh pork products.

Pork for the Pantry is a local partnership started by Eddie Edward Signs and Rockingham Cooperative whose mission is to support the hard work of the local 4-H and FFA members who personally raise local market animals for sale and to donate high quality meat products to local food pantries that will benefit those less fortunate in the Shenandoah Valley community.

In May of 2024 Pork for the Pantry partners Rockingham Cooperative, Delegate Chris Runion, Farmers & Merchants Bank, James River Equipment and Mossy Creek Cattle committed to each purchasing a hog at the Augusta Market Animal Show and Sale event, directly from 4-H and FFA youth livestock exhibitors. This pork was processed into sausage and pork chops, and donated July 1 at the Verona Community Food Pantry. It will be distributed throughout Augusta County to areas of greatest need.

"We’ve been overwhelmed with the continued support of our industry and partners to help deliver these fresh pork product to areas across Augusta County," said Sam Liggett, CEO at Rockingham Cooperative and a Pork for the Pantry volunteer. "What’s exceptional is that hogs raised in Augusta County are going to help feed those in need in the same community. Thanks to all that continue to support this endeavor."

Pork for the Pantry has partnered with over 20 local businesses and community organizations since its inception in 2016, donating over $20,000 to support 4-H and FFA members in Rockingham, Augusta and Highland counties in their projects, which contributed to over 7,000 pounds of fresh pork product that was distributed to area food pantries in the communities the pork was raised.

Throughout its history the program has sent fresh pork products to those in need in the Harrisonburg, Rockingham, Augusta and Highland communities through partnerships with food pantries in those areas. More information can be found at www.porkforthepantry.org .

More: Emmy winners: Staunton film studio wins award for farming episode of 'Life in the Heart Land'

More: Woman accused of sexually assaulting young boy in Augusta County

— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick . Subscribe to us at newsleader.com

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: New Shelburne band director; Open houses Augusta County middle schools; new Riverheads golf coach