HANOVER
ASHLAND
First graduates of Hanover Fire/EMS paramedic program
Ashland and Amtrak celebrate ADA platform project completion
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Vol. 7 No. 41 | Richmond Suburban News | June 15, 2022
Morin and Taylor lead PHHS as valedictorian and salutatorian
CHAMPIONS X 3
Dave Lawrence/The Local
Hanover's baseball team forms a dogpile in the infield after the last out in the Hawks' 11-0 win over James Wood in the Virginia High School League Class 4 state baseball championship at Riverbend High School on June 11.
By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
W
illiam Morin has been named the Patrick Henry High School (PHHS) Class of 2022’s valedictorian with a GPA of 4.589. Luke Taylor, with a GPA of 4.582, has been recognized as the class’ salutatorian. Morin is the son of Patrick Morin and Kate Connolly. During his time at PHHS, Morin was involved with the Latin Learning Center, Model United Nations and the Latin Club. In addition to his involvement in a number of school activities, he contributed to the community in his service to Junior Assembly Cotillion. His academic journey will continue at Georgetown University. In light of his recognition
WILLIAM MORIN Valedictorian
LUKE TAYLOR Salutatorian
as this year’s valedictorian, Morin took the time to thank those who contributed to his academic success. “I would like to thank my teachers, staff and friends who helped me achieve this,” he said. “I know that I would not have come this far without them.” Morin said achieving the status of valedictorian was a long-time goal of his throughout his high school experience.
“Valedictorian was something I set my mind on when I first arrived at Patrick Henry freshman year, and I feel an immense sense of gratitude and pride having achieved it,” he said. Taylor is the son of Lori and Steve Taylor. During his time at PHHS, Taylor held the position of captain of his school’s cross country and track team. In see PHHS, pg. 4
By Dave Lawrence Richmond Suburban News FREDERICKSBURG — Last year, Hanover’s baseball and softball teams reached their respective Virginia High School League Class 4 state championship games. Both suffered heartbreaking losses and had to take comfort in the old sports refrain, “Wait ’til next year!” Atlee’s boys lacrosse team had made four trips to a state final (from 20152017 in Class 5A, and 2019 in Class 5). Each time, the Raiders lost by a point and had to settle on waiting for another year.
Strawberry Faire offers sweet day out in Ashland By Christina Amano Dolan Editor Over 20,000 visitors flooded the streets of Randolph-Macon College (R-MC) last weekend for the return of the beloved Ashland Strawberry Faire four decades after it began.
Held on Saturday, June 11, this year’s Faire boasted countless attractions for all ages to enjoy, including a first-ever “Strawberry Kids” Parade, live performances at the Blackwell Stage, and a “Kid Zone” filled with games and a Dunk Tank, which featured local public officials tak-
ing a plunge while fundraising for their favorite charities. “The Ashland Strawberry Faire is a fun-filled family day where people can come, the kids can play really inexpensive games and everyone can have a see STRAWBERRY, pg. 15
The three teams were inclined to wait no longer this year. All three made their respective state Class 4 finals on Saturday — Hanover baseball and softball at Riverbend High School and Atlee boys lacrosse at Massaponax High School— and all three returned to Hanover County as state champions. Hanover’s softball team knocked off Tuscarora 1-0 in a thriller, scoring the winning run on a Julia Cuozzo double in the top of the seventh inning and holding off the Huskies, who got
a potential winning run on base in the bottom of the inning. The Hawk baseball team, who lost to Broad Run 3-2 in a pitchers’ duel in the 2021 championship game, were not taking any chances against James Wood Saturday, thrashing the Colonels 11-0. The Raiders, given their string of close losses in state title games, left nothing to doubt, pounding Dominion-Loudoun County 16-4, to claim their first state lacrosse title. For more, go to The Local Sports, page 16.
Christina Amano Dolan/The Local
John Fisher grabs a bucket of ruby red strawberries from the Ashland Berry Farm stand.