GSSV Gazette

Seniors Kai Coronas, Benjamin Long, Zaivyon Maxey, and Cameron Shriver had the opportunity to participate in Virginia Boys State at Radford University for a week this summer. Boys State is a leadership program structured to teach students about the three branches of the government while instilling pride in their citizenship. Each of the boys had positive things to say about their week:

Kai: "I proudly played the Alto Saxophone in the 80th Session's marching and concert band. I wholeheartedly recommend Boys State to all young men throughout Virginia."

Benjamin: "Not only was Boys State an incredible opportunity to represent our community, but it also allowed us to showcase our own talents. I got the role of being my city's circuit court Judge, where I presided over multiple city-wide trials. Boys State was a great place for meeting new, like-minded individuals who are just as ambitious."

Zaivyon: "Boys State was a great experience that taught me about our local government and helped me reflect on myself. I learned that boys will ALWAYS be boys!"

Cameron: "Boys State was an eye-opening experience for me and provided me with lots of information for my future endeavors. I held the office of Director of Finance for my city. I was lucky to be selected."

As part of the introductory study on the taxonomy and phylogeny of living things, senior Biology students are getting an up close and personal view of select representative species from various phylums of animals (pigs, sharks, frogs, etc). Dissections over the next few weeks during these comparative anatomy labs will help develop an appreciation for the unity and diversity of life.

The Christanna World Literature students transformed into their favorite gods and heroes from myths around the world. As the chosen god, each student through a soliloquy or monologue revealed not only information about the god but also insight into the character. Those of the Greek pantheon--Zeus, Hera, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo, and Demeter--enjoyed the spotlight, but the African goddesses of Oshun, Aja, and Oya; the Norse gods Thor and Freyr; and the Celtic Aine, Caer Ibormeith, and Morrigan made their presence and their gifts known. Sorceresses Medea and Hecate spun their webs of trickery, while Cupid created havoc for ladies such as Atalanta and Persephone. With such outfits, tools, symbols, personality, and enough food that Hercules could not eat it all, Hypnos did not stand a chance. Students have begun the year with an appreciation of the world's cultures and earliest stories, so many of which still enhance their literature.

The GSSV Spiritwear Store will be open for the month of September. This is a fully online store with short and long sleeve t-shirts and crew and hooded sweatshirts. A small portion of the proceeds of the apparel sold will be returned to GSSV to help offset the costs of our field trips. This will only be open for September and then will be reopened in February. Don't miss the opportunity to purchase something and proudly support GSSV! Once the link is live for the apparel, it will be placed on our social media pages and will be emailed to the parents and students.

Mrs. Swain is in the process of creating parent email list-serves separated by grade, site, and strand. If you would like to be added to these emails and have not already completed the Google Form, please take a moment to do so. If you cannot access this form, please email Mrs. Swain with your email address and child's name to be manually added.

While GSSV is a small staff, we are dynamic! There are 9 certified instructors on staff along with an administrative assistant and director. We have 200 years of teaching experience among us combined.

Our Christanna Campus in Alberta staff is as follows:

• Mrs. Kristen Beekwilder -- Research and Biology instructor
• Mrs. Wendy Kidd -- English instructor
• Mrs. Ann Moore -- Math instructor
• Mrs. Lori Moore -- English instructor
• Mrs. Chelsea Thorpe -- Research and Chemistry instructor

Our John H. Daniel Campus in Keysville staff is as follows:

• Mrs. Tara Beck -- Research and English instructor
• Mrs. Katherine Clatterbuck -- Research and Biology instructor
• Mrs. Sarah Fenwick -- Math instructor
• Mrs. Lori Moore -- English instructor
• Mrs. Leslie Poling -- Research and Chemistry instructor
• Ms. Connie Tucker -- Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Wesley Swain is the GSSV director, and she splits her time between the two campuses but her main office is in Keysville.

We also have many SVCC instructors who teach a class or two for us. We thank them for their willingness to teach our students so that we can offer a full Associate Degree to our students.

Remember, we are here to work together to support the high schools and the students. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that arise throughout the year. We are looking forward to a memorable school year.

See Important Dates for September

September 1 & 4 -- Labor Day -- NO SCHOOL

September 7 -- NASA Presentation

September 8 -- Keysville STEM Seniors to Chesapeake Bay Foundation

September 14 -- Alberta Seniors to Chesapeake Bay Foundation

September 15 -- Alberta Juniors trip to Longwood

September 18 -- Keysville Juniors trip to Longwood

September 26 -- Alberta College Information Night 6pm

September 27 -- Keysville College Information Night 6pm

Mrs. Tara Beck -- tara.beck@southside.edu

Mrs. Kristen Beekwilder -- kristen.beekwilder@southside.edu

Mrs. Katherine Clatterbuck -- katherine.clatterbuck@southside.edu

Mrs. Sarah Fenwick -- sarah.fenwick@southside.edu

Mrs. Wendy Kidd -- wendy.kidd@southside.edu

Mrs. Ann Moore -- ann.moore@southside.edu

Mrs. Lori Moore -- lori.moore@southside.edu

Mrs. Leslie Poling -- leslie.poling@southside.edu

Mrs. Chelsea Thorpe -- chelsea.taylor@southside.edu

Ms. Connie Tucker -- connie.tucker@southside.edu (Administrative Assistant)

Mrs. Wesley Swain -- wesley.swain@southside.edu (Director)