CSMS, WBMS take home 2024 YOVASO Awards
Cave Spring Middle School and William Byrd Middle School were recently recognized at the 2024 Youth of Virginia Speak Out (YOVASO) Awards.
Several years ago, when Officer Justin Hubbard first took on the role of School Resource Officer (SRO) at CSMS, he created the prevention club “Squires AIDE.” This prevention club led by students Emery Mitchem, Taylor Gruse, Tinley Gruse, Delaney Kirchner and Colter Christley continued to be successful through the 2023-2024 school year. This year, Cave Spring Middle School was honored with the YOVASO Middle School Club of the Year Award. This award goes to the school who sets the standard of best practices in peer-led youth traffic safety programs, community and school engagement, effective program development and student leadership.
In addition, CSMS School Resource Officer (SRO) Justin Hubbard was awarded the YOVASO Middle School SRO of the Year. This award recognizes one Middle School law enforcement professional for their continuous and outstanding support as an SRO to their school, and for providing guidance to the school’s traffic safety club.
"I couldn’t be prouder of both these individuals, the schools and our students," said Sgt. Dan Walters with the Roanoke County Police Department who supervises the SRO Division. "As school resource officers, we pride ourselves on the relationships we develop with our youth, their families, our teachers and school administration. I am happy to say, without a doubt, in conjunction with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office, we have the best school resource officer division in the state, at all levels of education," Sgt. Walters said.