Dennis Carter

For 20 years Dennis Carter has worked as a contractor and a Fire Alarm Technician for many different companies, but he now works for Carilion Hospital. Mr. Carter also attends First Baptist Church every Sunday and even teaches a Sunday school class as a deacon. Mr. Carter is 52 years old and loves to do anything that involves the outdoors and he loves to watch wrestling. Mr. Carter is married and has three great kids. Mr. Carter has volunteered at the Rescue Mission in downtown Roanoke for over 12 years. He started with “our church group, usually it’s our Sunday school class… we try to go about once every two or three months,” he said.

Mr. Carter is hard-working when it comes to helping the Rescue Mission. He feels strongly about how important his work is and said, “I feel good when I go and help out the people there and share the kindness the Lord has given me onto them.” Mr. Carter develops personal relationships with homeless people and loves to give them advice for the future. The jobs he helps with are cooking the food, helping serve food, washing dishes, helping clean up, and talking with the homeless folks about their problems and just listening to what they have to say. Mr. Carter said, “With my church and my background, I think it’s something that the Lord wants us to do… I think it’s an extension of Jesus’s hand,” is why he volunteers at the Roanoke Rescue Mission. He feel like his actions at the Rescue Mission make a positive impact on the community. Mr. Carter hopes that the Rescue Mission one day, will be overflowing with volunteers from all over the Roanoke Valley.

Dennis Carter loves what he does for his family and for his community. He is a godly, hard-working, caring individual. Mr. Carter is a great father that loves his wife and kids. For these reasons, Dennis Carter is our Hidden Hero.

Jake Brabham

    Jacob Brabham is a 22 year old planning to devote his life to teaching.  Right now, Mr. Brabham is a special education aid at Hidden Valley High.  He went to Roanoke College and graduated last year with a degree to teach physical education. He is looking to teach physical education but for the time being he is working with Special Education students. He also coaches soccer and wrestling. He coaches at Hidden Valley High School.

    Mr. Brabham really enjoys working with students. He works at Hidden Valley High School but has decided he would rather work at a middle school because he has been in all school settings and he thinks the middle school kids are more active and playful. He decided to teach because when he was growing up his mom told him she thought he would be a good educator.   He is caring towards all of his students. It is easy to see that Mr. Brabham’s heart is fully dedicated to educating students.  Mr. Brabham is very passionate about teaching. This is evident when he talks.  He feels the experience as a special education aid has helped him to be a teacher.  He said that many people only see the students for what they can’t do but he has found special qualities in each of them. 

   Mr. Brabham feels teaching is important.   Physical education and sports are about being a team and this is important to Mr. Brabham. He said, “If I can help them learn to get along with their other classmates, I feel like I have done my job.” Mr. Brabham will go far as a teacher and inspire many young people.

Randy Polito

Randy Polito is a World Geography and history teacher who likes to cook, loves comedies, and likes to coach girls’ lacrosse. Mr. Polito grew up in Florida and got his undergraduate degree at University of Central Florida in Orlando, and his Master’s Degree at Hollins University. He taught history in Florida for 6 years, and started coaching lacrosse there when one of the coaches quit and he stepped in to help. His previous experience was with soccer. Mr. Polito taught and coached at Hollins University and Patrick Henry High School for several years before coming to Hidden Valley High School this year.

         Mr. Polito wanted to coach girls’ lacrosse because he feels as if he has a great opportunity. Mr. Polito said that when he is coaching at practices or during a game he likes to build relationships with his team. He said, “I like to see the fun that the girls have with each other on the field.” When he is under a lot of stress he likes to be outdoors and to go kayaking. Mr. Polito is dedicated to his teaching and to his role as a coach, and he enjoys seeing his athletes succeed on the field and in life. A quote Mr. Polito likes is “Passion defines reason,” which means that when a person has passion for something, that passion will define their success. Mr. Polito hopes to see his students succeed in life.

Mr. Polito is a hero because he makes a difference to students. He teaches students in a fun way, and is always available to give advice. Mr. Polito is a hero because he is a dedicated teacher and coach.

Lisa O'Neill

         Lisa O’Neill had been rescuing and helping animals at Angels of Assisi since 2003. She went to Illinois Wesleyan College and has a bachelor’s degree in Science and Nursing. She went to school originally to become a nurse and help people, but she has gone in a different direction when she started volunteering at Angels of Assisi. As she started working with animals, her nursing career slowly became less and less important. Mrs. O’Neill lives in both Botetourt County and locally in Roanoke. She has two children, 22 year old Jame and 18 year old Macy.

         Mrs. O’Neill works very hard to rescue the animals because she sympathizes with both the animals and the people. “I think I really brought the nursing part into Angels of Assisi by helping people. You can’t help animals without helping people too,” said Ms. O’Neill. “A lot of people are really big into animal rescue and say that ‘Oh, I hate people. People suck!’ but you can’t have this mindset because people are going to be the ones to save the animals.” Mrs. O’Neill doesn’t consider working for Angels of Assisi a job or a career, but a hobby, and a passion. At a young age she has cared for animals, and growing up her goal in life was to help people. “I’ve always loved animals and helping people, and you can really help people through animals too.”

        

         What separates Lisa O’Neil from other people is how committed she is reaching her goal, and that is to help people and animals. Her sympathy towards people and their pets is what inspired her to help them in a lot of ways.

Kenneth Stanley

Kenneth Stanely is a hidden hero because he was in the U.S. Navy for 8 years, and risked his life in the Korean War. Mr. Stanely, a country boy from Bedford County, said that he went into the Navy at only 20 years old. He first started out in boot camp in Michigan. After boot camp he was stationed in New Orleans, and they put him in the boiler room. He was stationed in several places including Jamaica, Port au Prince, Hawaii, Haiti, and Ireland. Mr. Stanely was put on a small destroyer and was the only one sent to New Orleans from the men who were with him in boot camp.
Mr. Stanley was brave during the Korean War. His ship searched for mines and protected battleships. Mr. Stanley served in a dangerous part of the ship. He worked in the boiler room. If his ship was hit, his chances of survival were little to none. Mr. Stanley said that he did not really think much about going to Korea. “The only time I was scared was when I was put in California and there was a submarine down below them that shot at them,” he said.  

Mr. Stanley was also dedicated and loyal.  He stayed in the Navy for longer than he had to. He stayed eight years instead of the required three. He talked a lot about his fellow sailors. He said he has kept contact with most of the men.  Mr. Stanley said he would be honored to be a hidden hero. He served our country and risked his life with honor. THANK YOU, Mr. Stanley.      

Gene Nervo

Gene Nervo served in the United States Marine Corps for 32 years, and started and now runs an outdoor adventure camp called Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. He started his military career in the Marine Corps Reserves in New Jersey and continued from there to go through the Marine Corps boot-camp. His Marine career started as a regular officer, and then he served as a legal officer, transport, infantry, and Battalion commander of Battalion 16, and Commander of a landing support battalion. He was deployed twice during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Nervo is a very passionate and dedicated leader. He spent 32 years of his life serving his nation and after that started an outdoor adventure camp for youth, which he still runs to this day at the age of 76. “The most rewarding thing that has happened to me is that I received a Bronze Star when I was in Vietnam and I have a wonderful family”, said Mr. Nervo. He led many groups of young boys through Vietnam during his two tours and only had one casualty. “We were ambushed by the Vietcong, but we were successful. I had a very good unit. They were well trained so they knew what to do immediately”, said Mr. Nervo. He loves spending time with his grandchildren and other kids at his outdoor camp. Mr. Nervo said the things you learn from the military are, “developing character, work ethic, respect, communication skills, and a positive attitude.” He said, “I think everybody should take a shot at it, because you learn so much in that short period of time that you’ll take with you for the rest of your life.”

         Gene Nervo Is a very kind and motivated man. He puts all of his focus and effort into any projects he starts. “I enjoyed the military. Even when I started in the Marine Corps I knew I wanted to make it a career. I love the respect of the military,” said Mr. Nervo. His dignitary actions in the Marine Corps, such as strategically leading those young boys through Vietnam and ensuring the safety of their lives, is what makes Mr. Nervo a hero. His willingness to run an outdoor camp, when he could be retired, to benefit youth and introduce them to the outdoors, is what makes him so gallant. He raised a family of seven children and loves to spend time with his kids and 16 grandchildren. Gene Nervo’s love and dedication for his country, his family, and youth in the Valley are what make him a hidden hero.

Elias Clizbe

Elias Clizbe currently age 29, was in the military for five years. He started 2009. When he was 6 years old, he knew he wanted to be in the military. When he was in active service he was stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Clizbe goes to Virginia Western now and lives in Roanoke. In his free time he likes to go to the firing range and play video games.

Mr. Clizbe credits his strong mental attitude with helping him succeed in the military. He said, “It is just a mind game.” He was also smart minded working in the gun room. “I used to take apart guns and put them back together,” he said.

Mr. Clizbe was a dedicated person in the military. His ranks were rank specialist and administrator. He misses the military because they paid for almost everything and he knew a lot of people but he doesn’t at the same time because they had to get up really early most of the time. Because of his service in the military, he is a Hidden Hero.

Daniele Staykov

Daniele Staykov, is a student at Hidden Valley High School and is in eight clubs and also does volunteer work. The clubs she belongs include History Club, Beta Club, Key Club, DECA, Environmental Club, Latin Club, Debate Club and FDLA. She also volunteers at the Rescue Mission, SPCA and more! She says she does some volunteering on the weekends. She started in Key Club in freshman year. She also has done fundraisers for her sports teams, and some of her clubs. Staykov started to volunteer as a freshman and plans to volunteer throughout her college career.

         Staykov is very helpful to our community, the amount of volunteering she has done has influenced this town a lot. Staykov’s parents and Latin teacher Stevie Woods have led her to where she is right now. She said “Even though you are in high school, you can help the community.” She is dedicated to helping this community and the people of it. She gives up many weekends. Wherever she goes she can still make a big impact. “Give someone something that matters, instead of something made out of paper,” she said. When she goes to college there will be more opportunities on campus than there were in high school. She is very passionate about her clubs, fundraisers and volunteer work. Even when she was on vacation in Bulgaria she still helped people and helped that community. She believes that she can help by working at the Rescue Mission. She said “You can make an impact on people.” Staykov got her start volunteering at the local Greek Festival. “It started at the Greek Festival because it was for my church,” she said.

         Staykov is a role model to her peers and to her community. Someday she could be a famous figure and can go to places out of the United States and help others that truly need it. She has been very inspiring to this school and this community.

Carmen Oakes

        Carmen Oakes has a Master’s Degree in geology and education from Virginia Tech. She taught in Richmond for two years before coming to Hidden Valley in 2004. Ms. Oakes spends most of her time teaching and assistant coaching outdoor track. Ms. Oakes is married to a firefighter. Ever since the 9^th grade she knew she wanted to teach. The biggest part of her job to her would be making sure her students mature in their education.

       Ms. Oakes really enjoys teaching her students. She said, “I really like to see when they get excited about the material I’m talking about.” At the beginning of the year her students struggled with the tests, mostly because they had not learned anything yet. “I’ve seen [my students] mature with their education, but also as people,” she said. Ms. Oakes is really proud to be at Hidden Valley. She said, “I really love some mornings when I drive up Titan Trail and when you can first see the school and the big sign of Hidden Valley, it just like makes me so proud.”

       Ms. Oakes is a proud and outgoing teacher. She is very proud to be a part of Hidden Valley High School, and will never take it for granted.

           

Anthony Tolliver

Anthony “Bud” Tolliver is a first year algebra teacher, a football coach, and a member of the United States Army National Guard. Mr. Tolliver got his teaching education from Radford University, and now teaches algebra at William Fleming High School. Coach Tolliver started coaching for the first time during this season for Hidden Valley High School. Mr. Tolliver’s first involvement in the National Guard was six years ago after his freshman year of college at the University of Charleston. Mr. Tolliver has lived on the same road in Roanoke, Virginia for his entire life.

Mr. Tolliver likes teaching because of the personalities of the kids. He said, “I like teaching, especially at Fleming, because of the kids and their personalities. “There are some kids who are quiet and it takes a lot to get an answer out of them, and there are other kids who never run out of things to say,” said Coach Tolliver. Teaching at one school and coaching at another gets hectic. Mr. Tolliver said, “I love coaching because I love sports and football is obviously my favorite. And even though I coach at a different school than I teach, I still feel like it is my responsibility to coach my kids into college or as far as they go.” Now that’s dedication. Mr. Tolliver is also a member of the United States National Guard. “The National Guard doesn’t really get deployed, it’s more for disaster relief and homeland security.” Mr. Tolliver said. “When a disaster comes, I want to be there to help.”

Anthony Tolliver is caring, selfless, and dedicated. He is caring because he wants to help in every possible way during a disaster. He is selfless because his work keeps him very busy, with little free time, going back and forth around Roanoke for various jobs. Finally, he is dedicated because he wants to do everything he can to coach football players into college, and teach kids for their advancement in life. Anthony Tolliver outlines a perfect Hidden Hero.

                                   

Amy Hodges

Amy Hodges is an English teacher at Hidden Valley Middle School. She has been teaching English for 13 years. She’s taught at Cave Spring High and Hidden Valley Middle. She went to many colleges because she didn’t know what she wanted to be. Her first college was Randolph Macon College near Richmond where she majored in music. Then she didn’t want to do that anymore, so her second college was James Madison University where she majored in social work. But she stopped because it was too sad, so she changed her major to English. The day she graduated she had her first daughter, Aubrey, so she missed her graduation. She has two kids, one boy and one girl.

         Ms. Hodges is very thoughtful in many ways. She said, “I like kids, there hasn’t been a kid I haven’t liked. I want them to feel important and that I want to get up every day to teach them.” No matter how hard the challenge is, she will fight the challenge and she will never give up. “I like to teach the kids who struggle because I like the challenge,” she said. Ms. Hodges had to teach with her husband in the hospital. He had a problem with his heart and he had to have a lot of checkups at UVA. She said, “You would think that it would be very difficult but you get so involved with your job that it gives you a break from your problems. It helped me out.”

         Ms. Hodges never gives up when student don’t understand. Her class is very interesting, and she makes English fun and different from all the other classes. Ms. Hodges is very caring, and becomes many students’ favorite teacher.

Jesica Myers

Jesica Myers has been an interpreter for many years at many schools located in the Roanoke area. She had her first training for sign language and deaf interpreting at Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and later she got her Master’s Degree in the same subject. She first started to work for local government, but turned out to hate it. Then,  after long thought, she remembered how she loved being around students and little kids, so she went back to school and taught at schools to help those who don’t have the best ears. Myers also has a hard time hearing herself, so not only does she demonstrate sign language, she uses it too. Ms. Myers loves to be with kids and students, and lives here in Roanoke VA.

Ms.  Myers really cares about her students. She said, “I love my kids!” Myers is also very dedicated about helping them. She said, “I go in, my kids have what they need, or if they don’t I provide it.” There are some hard parts about serving nine schools, like if one student at another school, across town is having trouble, she rushes over to them. Myers doesn’t work just for deaf people, she does it because she wants to teach and help people who have trouble hearing or communication with others. She said, “I just have a great time learning all the personalities and figuring out how I’m going to provide for them.”

Myers is an amazing teacher and caring person in general. She works hard with her students and makes a giant difference in our school system. All of this is what really makes Myers a Hidden Hero.

Cathy Stanley

Cathy Stanley is a special education teacher here at Hidden Valley. She’s been married to her high school sweetheart for 25 years. Ms. Stanley went to Elon University, where she got a human services degree. Ms. Stanley started off her career by being a substitute here at school. A little bit after subbing she got a job as being an instructional assistant. She had no real reason to switch jobs. Being an assistant would be ideal for most people but she wanted to get more connected with her students, so her passion took over and she became a Special Education teacher.

Ms. Stanley isn’t afraid to take on a challenge. She gave up her easier job so that she can work closer with her students. She said, “I think it all started with me back in 2005, when I started subbing and then became an IA. I enjoyed working with students and watching them grow and learn.” Despite the more difficult job, she perseveres through the hardships and tries her best to be a good teacher. She said the hardest part of the job is, “All the paperwork, and the fact that they may completely change the format at any time, forcing you to re-learn the programs.” Even though there are downsides, she still loves her job. She said the part she loves the most is, “…getting to know the students and seeing the different ways everyone learns.”

A skilled and caring teacher, Ms. Stanley is one of those few people who love their job. Ms. Stanley’s hard work, dedication, compassion, and love for her students make her a hidden hero.

Cameron Jones

                               Cameron Jones is the youngest brother of two. He is 18 years old and a senior at Hidden Valley High School. He loves watching Netflix and playing MLB The Show on his brand new PS4 that he got for Easter. Jones has been a member of DECA since his freshman year in high school. He is now the HV DECA President. Jones is a respectable leader who has the potential to do something amazing.

                     Jones takes his role in DECA very seriously. His dedication is inspiring, and he said, “It gives me such a good feeling when I personally think that I have done a good job, along with the approval of Mr. Hunt, the head honcho of this organization at HV.” This program must mean a lot to him because he said, “If I mess up or don’t do something perfectly, I do everything I can to fix my mistakes as soon as possible.” If he could, Jones would spend his free time hanging out with friends, but instead he spends tons of his free time putting in work for DECA with the other members such as Bre Lockhart or even on his own.

                     Cameron Jones is a dedicated worker and a great person. His work he does with the DECA program will make a difference in his school and potentially the world. He truly is a hero.

Hannah Shepard

From Tennessee to Haiti, Hannah Shepard is a missionary worker. It might be from organizing a toy store for families in poverty to handing out free snacks, not even knowing if there’s enough for those who paid for it. She enjoys reading, playing the piano, knitting, and being able to be outside. Shepard went to Hidden Valley, goes to Cave Spring United Methodist Church, and plans on going to Duke University this coming fall after returning from her mission trip in Chile. After this year Shepard would love to be able to keep a job including mission work.

Ms. Shepard looks for the positive in everything and never judges too quickly. She waits to find something better in the process. She said, “At first, I was very sad. I missed home, I missed feeling comfortable, but then I’ve learned that I like to be uncomfortable because it tests you and it makes you stronger.” Coming home from a mission was also hard because Hannah wanted everyone to understand when she got home. “When you come home nobody understands what you’ve done and it’s frustrating, I could tell you everything that I did and the people that I met but nobody from home really understands what I’ve experienced and how that’s changed me and my outlook on life. But it’s also a really cool thing because it’s such a personal experience and that I have a world of friends and relationships in Tennessee, Haiti, and at home, but it’s also really hard because I want everybody that I love here to understand everything I did on the mission but they just don’t,” she said. Ms. Shepard is very loving and giving. She always wants to help others anyway she can. She told a story about how they were holding a biking event and they had food for them at the end. Some other people were really hungry and asked for food. They gave it to them and many more people came over asking for some. She said, “All these people kept coming and we didn’t turn anybody away.”

Hannah Shepard is an amazing person. She is very dedicated, optimistic, and selfless. She has put aside part of her life to help those in need. Ms. Shepard’s hard work and dedication makes her a hidden hero.