BCPS Alumni Highlight

Several alumni of Botetourt County Public Schools have recently earned recognition for their outstanding accomplishments, representing our community with excellence across a range of fields. From academic honors and athletic achievements to musical distinction, these former students continue to inspire. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or on stage, BCPS graduates are making their mark!

The most followed military music group in the world, Six-String Soldiers is a five-member country music group performing Americana and patriotic music in order to connect America to its Army. The group was formed in 2015 by active-duty Soldiers who were looking for ways to fulfill the Army’s commitment to its Soldiers and veterans. [U.S. Army Field Band. Six-String Soldiers. The United States Army Field Band, https://www.armyfieldband.com/about/ensembles/six-string-soldiers. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.]

Sergeant First Class Joseph Bennett (second from left in the image above) is a 2005 graduate of Botetourt County Public Schools, and along with the rest of the ensemble, performed for Lord Botetourt HS and Read Mountain MS students in a special performance on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Sergeant Bennett plays guitar, mandolin, and provides vocals. His wife, Sergeant First Class Renée Bennett, is also a member of the group, and plays a mean fiddle!

The group performed country classics, 90s rock, and an original song in their 1-hour performance, and they were joined by a few local musicians as well: Mr. Greg Hupp and Mr. Eric Rader, both teachers in the Social Studies department at Lord Botetourt HS. In a segment they call "Teacher Feature," Mr. Hupp was lead vocalist for John Denver's iconic song, Country Roads, and Mr. Rader played bass for Say It Ain't So from Weezer's 1994 debut album. Did you miss the "Teacher Feature" performance? We've got you covered! Head over to the school division's YouTube channel!

Thank you for taking time to visit Botetourt County Public Schools, your service to our nation, and an unforgettable performance! Learn more about the Six-String Soldiers at: https://www.armyfieldband.com/about/ensembles/six-string-soldiers

Lord Botetourt High School graduate Nina Appicello has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Persian (Farsi) in Tajikistan this summer. A junior at William & Mary majoring in International Relations, Nina is the first student from the Botetourt area to earn this recognition for Persian—a language critical to her studies in nuclear nonproliferation and global security.

Nina credits much of her success to the foundation she built in Botetourt County Public Schools. Advanced Placement courses and dedicated teachers helped shape her academic interests and skills, particularly in government, writing, and language. Her involvement in the Academic Team and other extracurriculars also fueled her drive to explore global issues.

At William & Mary, Nina serves as a student researcher in NukeLab, where she works on real-world nuclear policy questions, and as a Transition Coach for transfer students. Her selection for the CLS program reflects not only academic excellence but a clear commitment to public service and international understanding. As she prepares to study abroad, Nina says she’s proud to represent her hometown and the educators who helped inspire her journey.

View The Fincastle Herald story online at: https://fincastleherald.com/lord-botetourt-graduate-wins-2025-critical-language-scholarship-for-persian/

View The Flat Hat story from The College of William & Mary for additional information: https://flathatnews.com/2025/04/08/nina-appicello-26-awarded-prestigious-language-scholarship-will-spend-summer-in-tajikistan/

Image Source:
Photo courtesy of The Fincastle Herald.
From: “Lord Botetourt graduate wins 2025 Critical Language Scholarship for Persian,” The Fincastle Herald, April 17, 2025.
https://fincastleherald.com/lord-botetourt-graduate-wins-2025-critical-language-scholarship-for-persian

Owen is currently a junior at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where he plays for the Division I Keydets baseball team. A versatile athlete, Owen splits his time between catcher and outfield—positions that require not only physical endurance but a high level of game awareness and leadership on the field.

During the 2024 season, he recorded 26 stolen bases, placing him among the top 50 base stealers in the nation. Now in 2025, he has elevated his performance even further. As of today, he leads all NCAA Division I players with an impressive 43 stolen bases—showcasing his speed, timing, and instincts.

Owen brings a unique mix of athleticism and discipline to every game—hallmarks of a VMI cadet-athlete. Off the field, he balances the rigorous demands of VMI’s academic and military training programs, demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence. Whether he’s behind the plate, tracking a fly ball, or turning a single into a double, Owen continues to be a standout performer and a key contributor to the Keydets' success this season.

Fun fact: Owen is the son of two Lord Botetourt grads, each of whom are also members of the LB Hall of Fame!