I am thrilled to share the winter edition of the Boys Appeal newsletter. This time of year is always special at Boys Home, and I am reminded of the immense blessings brought by our dedicated supporters, staff, and students. Your ongoing partnership enables us to continue shaping lives and futures for the better.
Harvest Hustle | November 2, 2024
In this issue, we look back at the joy and spirit of Christmas on our campus.
Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, the young men experienced a season filled with warmth, fellowship, and the spiritual joy of Christ’s love for us all. The celebrations served as a powerful reminder of the hope and love that unites Boys Home, a community that feels like family.
We also highlight the exceptional work of our Key Club, whose commitment to community service has made a significant impact These young leaders have embraced the value of helping others, and their projects reflect the heart of our mission to foster compassionate, responsible citizens
In our Cottage Report, you’ll find updates on the daily lives of our students. From shared meals to mentoring moments, the cottages remain the cornerstone of our community, offering stability and encouragement to every resident
One of the new highlights of our curriculum this year is the Student Success class, which equips students with essential study skills, life skills, and financial literacy These lessons prepare them for adulthood and lives of purpose, independence, and success
As we move into the new year, I am grateful for all we have accomplished together, and hopeful for the opportunities that lie ahead Please take a moment to fill out and return the enclosed contact card We are updating our database, and having your current information will help us stay in touch with you about future events, updates, and opportunities Thank you for your unwavering belief in the young men we serve and the Boys Home mission Your generosity is changing lives every day
With warm regards and best wishes for a joyous winter season,
Chris Doyle Executive Director Boys Home of Virginia
On Saturday, November 2, Boys Home of Virginia hosted the 8th year of its fall fundraiser, the Harvest Hustle 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon, at the Intervale Trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail. A total of 93 runners registered to compete on a beautiful, fall day The friendly competition was enjoyed by racers from Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois Our generous sponsors made it possible for us to have bottled water, Gatorade, muffins, snack bars, and coffee available for the participants Additionally, all runners received a longsleeved t-shirt with the race logo and a one-of-a-kind participation medal as they crossed the finish line Boys Home would like to thank the event volunteers, Run Roanoke, the Falling Spring Rescue Squad, and Alleghany Parks and Recreation for making this event possible through their support. Boys Home is also very grateful for the generosity of the many businesses that sponsor the Harvest Hustle. A special thank you to the following event sponsors: Lexington Prescription Center, Silvercrest Asset Management, WestRock, Campbell Insurance, Jackson River Community Credit Union, K McConnell Legal, McDonough Toyota, Highlands Community Bank, Spencer Home Center, Loving Funeral Home, J & K Electric, Updike, Nicely and Crawford PLC, S G Young Contracting, LLC, The Law Firm of William T Wilson, The Recorder, Bath Community Hospital, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative, Slaughter and Slaughter Family Dentistry, Ingevity, and Lex Running Shop
Spiritual Life at Boys Home
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Epiphany at Boys Home | Three Kings
Carveon’s poster for Martin Luther K ng Jr Day
Ephy read scripture during January’s chapel service
Blessing of the Animals
Live nativity at the Boys Home Farm Tree Lighting
Pastor Anne led December chapel
Haden and Tyrese were al smiles after finishing the race Racers take your mark Time for the meda
STUDENT SUCCESS CLASS
What’s learned here is for life
At Boys Home of Virginia, our goal is to equip our students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful life after Boys Home. A new tool in the education department, Student Success Class, will lead to achieving that goal The class encompasses financial literacy, SEE Learning (Social, Ethical, and Emotional), character education, and life skills
Principal, Teresa Johnson, stated, “These classes have engaged the students in various aspects of everyday life skills. They have worked with local community members to learn about team-building skills, respect, and building their financial skills. During the first semester, juniors and seniors focused on financial literacy, while the younger students focused on other aspects of success. ”
We spoke to the teacher of financial literacy, Rick Chehovin. He is retired from a forty-year career as an investment advisor He stated, “I have been teaching this class to youth for over twenty-five years The Boys Home students have been very interested in the topic, engaged, and have asked a lot of great questions I had to restructure the class to account for the great discussions Prior to the class, I believe a lot of them had an unrealistic expectation of a budget Now, I think they understand the importance of a well-paying job to help cover all the necessary expenses and still have money for groceries and other items ”
Sean, a Boys Home senior, took the Student Success Class last semester and really enjoyed the financial literacy portion. He stated, “Mr. Chehovin was really on top of things and did a great job of explaining different topics. He explained them in a way students could understand. I learned the importance of a budget and living within your means, to avoid going into debt. I also learned about credit cards and how to establish credit in a secure way. The skills I learned in the class, I will use after Boys Home.”
The Student Success Class is just one aspect of the Boys Home program that supports our motto, “What’s learned here is for life ” At Boys Home of Virginia, we are educating and providing life skills to the young men we serve to help them become successful and productive men
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WISH LIST
Scan the QR code below to access the current Boys Home “Wish List” items. You can also access the “Wish List” on the Boys Home website in the drop-down menu “Support Us.”
Christmas The Hill
on
After Thanksgiving break, The Hill begins to transform for the Christmas season. The cottages begin to decorate for the annual competition with each cottage choosing a creative theme. During chapel services, a new advent candle is lit each week, in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. The Christmas chapel featured live characters for Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, and an angel. The magic of the season can be felt throughout the campus.
The Boys Home Farm Manager and Equine Instructor, Linda Angle, offered a new and exciting tradition for Christmas 2024 After conceptualizing her vision, Mrs Angle put the farm crew and several staff members to work Boys Home had its first Christmas Tree Lighting event for staff and students on December 12 The event featured a live nativity and treats of hot cocoa and cookies Before the big reveal, several students offered a countdown before revealing the twinkling lights on the barn, fencing, tack shed, and seventeen-foot Christmas tree The lights remained up through December for everyone to enjoy!
The next tradition began in the early 1960’s but has become a favorite on The Hill, the Christmas cottage decorating competition. On December 13, seven judges from the local businesses of Jack Mason’s Tavern, Byers, Inc., and Ingevity, came to campus to help evaluate the competition. A student representative from each cottage toured the judges through their cottage, highlighting the outside decorations, Christmas tree, and inside decorations. There was a new category added for “Best Host,” which was won by Carveon Lee in Wheatley Center. Darling Cottage had a Grinch-themed Whoville from top to bottom of the cottage. A snarky, well-played Grinch was the host and welcomed guests with Grinch punch and Who Pudding. Darling Cottage won “best” in the categories of overall, Christmas tree, inside decorations, and outside decorations.
The holiday fun continued at the annual Boys Home Christmas Party After an amazing dinner, attendees had the opportunity to grab a picture with Santa Afterward, each cottage attempted their version of a classic Christmas song, resulting in jolly laughs throughout the dining hall Additionally, Campus Life Manager, Aaron Smith, surprised everyone was a rap version of Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer and had the audience participate When the party concluded, students returned to their cottages to open Christmas gifts around the tree The rich traditions throughout December make for a very special and exciting Christmas season!
Pastor Anne led December chape
Augg e and Chr st an decorated the farm
A shepherd, angel Joesph, and Mary for chapel
Tyrese ed Greene Cottage w th his sing ng
The Boys Home Farm Chr stmas Tree Light ng The Grinch in Darling Cottage with the judges
The cottage judges posed for a p cture T
Cottage
BOYS HOME KEY CLUB
In the fall, the Boys Home Key Club kicked off another semester of service with nineteen members. They held their first organizational meeting in September. During the meeting, Ephy Morris was selected as president to lead the club, and Deleon Lee was named vice president.
In October, members volunteered at “The Wall That Heals,” a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D C Covington was the only Virginia city selected to host the memorial wall On October 2, Ephy and Deleon attended a two-hour training session prior to the opening ceremony On Saturday, October 5, twelve members provided invaluable assistance throughout the day Lynda Thompson, the volunteer coordinator, sent the following note regarding the students: “I was so impressed with these young men They were polite, gracious to me and our visitors, and very willing to do what was needed.”
The Key Club “Season of Service” began in November when a group of members worked at the Christmas Mother Shop (a local program helping families in need with Christmas) by decorating the doors of the shop. It was a fun night for the members as other young people throughout the community were also in attendance. On December 9, 10, and 11, six club members assisted with the Christmas Mother client distribution. For six hours each day, the members loaded carts, moved tables, helped organize the thousands of items in the shop, and provided the “heavy lifting” when needed.
In 2025, there are already several projects planned, including a Red Cross Blood Drive In the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, the club logged 116 hours Club President, Ephy Morris, stated “My favorite activity in the first semester was helping at The Christmas Mother Shop Me and my peers helped get supplies ready for those in need For me, Key Club is more than just something I can put on my college application to look better, it’s about helping others in your community ”
For over ten years, the Boys Home Key Club has served the Alleghany County community The club helps the students involved live out the vision of Boys Home; “A community that inspires young men to positively impact those around them ” The goal is that these young men will learn the value of serving others and offer support in their communities when they leave Boys Home
"The Boys Home Bears basketball teams have improved their ski ls throughout the season and are playing on a higher level. They will continue the season confidently and work as a team "
Gina Jefferson
J.V. Head Coach & Vars ty Ass stant Coach
Coaches Corner
“Success is never final.
"The current Boys Home Bears basketball season has seen extreme highs and lows for both the junior varsity and varsity teams The teams have several new players and coaches For the remainder of the season, I would like to see the players stay motivated, focused, and locked in on and off the court. I would also like to see the players understand the importance of putting the team above themselves. A ' we over me ' kind of attitude, where players come together and put their personal goals aside for the betterment of the team. A team that works as one can overcome adversity, deficits, and obstacles when they come the r way."Donnie Costigan | Alumnus and Director of Athletics and Recreation
JUNIOR VARSITY TEAM VARSITY TEAM
Ephy and Or en helped decorate doors Key Club helped to arrange cha rs at “A Wal That Hea s ” DeLeon and Xav er paused for a photo
DeLeon, Sean 2024 Christmas Mother (Ingrid Wallace Barber) Sedekee and Ephy ( eft/r ght)
The Key C ub members got to work!
Aaron Smith Varsity Head Coach
Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts ” (John Wooden)
Donnie Costigan and Aaron Smith
Front Row (left/right): Tyrese Jacques, Xavier Barnes, Paul Voigts, Sedekee Koroma, and Nazayah Harmond
Back Row (left/right): Sean Anderson, Coach Jefferson, Coach Ramsay, and DeLeon Lee
Front Row (left/right): Sedekee Koroma, Logan Large, Tyrese Jacques, Ephy Morris, Nazayah Harmond, Xav er Barners, and DeLeon Lee
Back Row (left/right): Coach Ramsay, Sean Onyekwere, Kenneth Bai ey, Coach Smith, Carveon Lee, Simeon Brown, and Donnie Costigan
Coach Jefferson ed the huddle. Coach Smith called a quick timeout
COTTAGE REPORT
The article below highlights the “happenings’ in each cottage, written by a student from that cottage.
Brown Cottage
Recently in Brown cottage, Keith won second place for the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen essay contest. I am excited to announce that a student in my cottage got A/B honor roll for the first semester I have been working to open up a “store” to sell my drawings Carter has been having fun playing with all his new Christmas toys We have all enjoyed the snow with sledding and throwing snowballs at each other. If we get cold, we like to come in and drink hot chocolate to warm up
Jack Gordon Cottage
Hi, my name is Ephy, and this is my second year in Jack Gordon I enjoy sports a lot I like playing on the basketball team at Boys Home (starting shoot guard) and watching Ohio State football. This school year, I became president of the Key Club. After graduation in the spring, I want to attend college in Ohio Orien is another student in the cottage He enjoys working on the farm, hunting, and researching trucks He is also part of Key Club Orien is currently a junior, he has plans to attend trades school when he graduates from Boys Home in spring 2026.
Whitehead Cottage is a place of marvelous young men. Our cottage is made up of dedicated athletes and motivated hard workers. A great leader in our cottage is senior Logan He goes out of his way to help other students For example, he switched his room to help a new, younger student Logan is set to graduate in May but has a goal to help the newest student in our cottage achieve Group 1 (Boys Home measurement system for behavior, grades, respect, etc ) before May
In our cottage, it is very harmonious. We all get along with each other and the residential life mentors (formerly houseparent) In the cottage, we enjoy playing board games together and watching television. Our favorite board game to play is Clue, we play that often. We also like playing charades, that is always a good time
Learning Beyond the Classroom | Outdoor Education
At Boys Home, we have a continuous goal to expand our curriculum and equip our students with a variety of skills. A new class being offered this school year is Outdoor Education, taught by Mark Nelson, Linda Angle, and Josh Brown Mark stated, “For the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, the class went well There was a focus on hunter safety and the skills needed to properly handle a firearm (parental consent was granted prior to the class) At first students were intimated, but there was a lot of growth and confidence that developed by the end of the semester ”
Haden, a current student, was asked about his takeaways from the class. He stated, “Prior to the class, I would say my skill level on hunting and firearm safety was basic. I had a little bit of knowledge but not much. The class made me more knowledgeable and confident in my skills. For example, I learned the importance of how to properly handle a firearm to ensure my safety and that of others ”
For the current semester, the focus is on archery, camping, and outdoor safety Mark Nelson stated, “My short-term goal with archery is to help the students learn the skills of patience, structure, and confidence as they develop their skills. However, my long-term goal is having a group of students compete.”
The new class, Outdoor Education, serves as an excellent way for students to learn practical skills they can carry into adulthood
Greene Cottage Wheatley Center
In Greene Cottage, we like to have fun and play games inside. First, we wake up and do our chores, then get ready for breakfast and school. When we return from school, we laugh, play games, or watch T V together One thing I like about Greene Cottage is that no matter what, we always stick together and help each other when we need it. In other words, in Greene Cottage we think of each other as brothers from different mothers
Intake/Evaluat on Center
Wheatley Center is excited for the new year. We have two students who have been accepted in the program Also, we have two new students expected in the coming week During our free time, kids down here love going to the gym, playing pool, or involving themselves in pickup basketball games Wheatley Center is still enjoying the new lamps and other Christmas gifts from the holidays.
you informed!
Boys Home needs up-to-date contact information for our donors You can scan the QR code or mail in the short form below To show our appreciation for your effort, there will be a drawing on March 19 for a P Buckley Moss painting (pictured below) for all completed cards. Please make sure your completed card is in the mail by March 10.
We are mindful of our communication frequency. Boys Home has a goal to keep you informed of future events, updates, and opportunities through our mailings and digital newsletter (6 per year). Also, we would like to thank you annually with a call
Mail to: Melinda Nichols | 414 Boys Home Road | Covington | VA | 24426 (540.965.7707 or mnichols@boyshomeofva.org) Follow us on Instagram for new and exciting student content (@boyshomeofva)
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Paul was very focused during archery class Logan and Pau istened c osely to Mr. Nelson.
Ael Nyamsi | Alumni Corner
Boys Home Class of 2021
As a reader you may ask yourself, how does Boys Home of Virginia become part of a young man ’ s story. The answer to that question is unique for each student, but they all have a story to tell. For Ael’s story, it will pick up in his early teenage years. At the time, he was living in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Ael stated, “If I’m being completely honest, I was a troubled kid. The environment I was growing up in was not good, and I lacked positive role models. I didn’t care about school or making good grades. Honestly, I really didn’t care about my future.”
After hearing about Boys Home from a family friend, his mother brought him and his younger brother down for a visit. Ael was fourteen years old when he arrived at Boys Home. He quickly realized during the visit, this would actually be his new home. Ael stated, “As a young man, Boys Home gave me a space to make mistakes and learn from them in a safe environment with staff members who truly cared. I learned the value of a strong handshake. During the three years I was at Boys Home, I saw myself grow tremendously in patience, empathy, and academically. For the first time, I knew I had younger eyes watching me (my brother included), and I wanted to be a good example.”
Ael would later assume leadership roles in Wheatley Center and Boys Home’s independent living cottage, but it wasn’t always an easy path. He stated, “I was not used to a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call, that was quite an adjustment. I also had to get used to the structure, there were a lot of rules in place. I was a city guy, and I found myself surrounded by mountains and going to church every Sunday. The overall experience helped me grow and mature.”
Ael was asked about a favorite memory during his time at Boys Home He stated, “I will never forget a trip we took to Richmond, Virginia, to help with an orchestra performance The students were ushers for the event After our ushering duties were complete, we were able to have seats to the show. I was blown away by what I witnessed and had never experienced something quite like that evening. I started listening to classical music after that night and still do.”
After successfully graduating from Boys Home High School in May 2021, Ael was still trying to find his path It would later lead him to enlist in the Air Force He has now been enlisted for three years and is a senior airman stationed in Hawaii Ael is five classes away from completing his Associates in Computer Science and will then begin working on his bachelor’s degree When he’s not busy with the Air Force or school, he enjoys audiobooks, reading, working out, and of course enjoying Hawaii’s beaches.
Ael applied the skills learned at Boys Home to become a successful man, now serving his country He is living out our motto of “What’s learned here is for life ” Ael’s life is a testament to the power of our mission and a life changed from Boys Home becoming part of his story
Let’s Build Community at Boys Home, TOGETHER
A service project at Boys Home is the perfect way to immerse your organization into the wonderful community nestled on 1,200 acres in the Allegheny Mountains There are several projects around campus that could use extra support such as painting, staining, light carpentry work, and more The opportunity will allow your group to create exciting memories alongside Boys Home’s staff and students and learn first-hand about an impactful mission that started in 1906
Boys Home provides cottages for groups to stay overnight, three meals a day in the dining hall, use of the chapel and gym, and any equipment needed for projects The group can also enjoy hiking on the mountain, fishing in the Boys Home pond, and taking a swim in the creek that runs through campus, and more Our team is happy to customize your experience to meet your group ' s needs
In November of 2024, Boys Home hosted a youth group for a service project on the new outdoor labyrinth We discussed the project with the group leader, Canon for Evangelism and Youth Ministry (Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia), Jenni Faires She stated, “I think the experience was great for our youth and the Boys Home students, they all got their hands dirty and had fun in the process The students truly came together and worked hard to get as much done as possible on the labyrinth It was a Holy time together in such a beautiful place We also had small groups, roasted marshmallows over a bonfire, and all attended Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Covington that Sunday ”
To learn more or schedule your service project today, contact Melinda Nichols at 540.965.7707 or by email at mnichols@boyshomeofva.org.
