Alleghany Highlands Public Schools

Former Alleghany County supervisor Joan Vannorsdall of Clifton Forge recently spoke to Allegany Highlands Advancement: Law and Political Science students. From left are Peyton Broughman, Vannorsdall, and Kaitlyn Petrero. Broughman is a junior at Alleghany High School, Petrero is a senior. This school year, law and political science were added to Alleghany Highlands Public Schools’ Alleghany Highlands Advancement program. (AHPS Photo) 

During a recent appearance at Jackson River Technical Center, Joan Vannorsdall of Clifton Forge answers a student’s question. Vannorsdall, a community leader in the Highlands, spoke to Alleghany Highlands Advancement: Law and Political Science students. Vannorsdall is a retired educator. She planned to become an attorney before falling in love with literature in college. (AHPS Photo) 

AHPS Expands Pioneer Program to Include Law and Politics

LOW MOOR — Alleghany Highlands Public Schools has expanded its Alleghany Highlands Advancement programs for high school students.  AHA: Law and Political Science, a newly developed opportunity, has attracted several students interested in government careers.

In its initial months, AHA: Law and Political Science has entertained Virginia Sen. Chris Head of Roanoke and local leader Joan Vannorsdall of Clifton Forge as guest speakers.  

Originally known as the Alleghany Highlands Healthcare Advancement, AHA was launched by AHPS in 2022. A grant from the Virginia Department of Education grant helped launch the program. AHA: Healthcare has drawn wide interest from students. One hundred eight students are involved in the program and its specially selected co-curricular activities. 

AHA was expanded this school year to include students interested in law, political science, history, public policy, and related fields.  There are now two AHA programs – AHA: Healthcare and AHA: Law and Political Science. AHA: Law and Political Science focuses on students interested in law, political science, policy, leadership, history, and related fields.  

At the beginning of the school year, Senator Head spoke at a gathering of AHA students interested in healthcare, law, and political science. 

Head, who owns a healthcare business in the Roanoke area, gave AHA students a unique perspective on planning for their futures. He gave students in AHA healthcare valuable insight on his road to becoming involved in the healthcare industry.

He provided AHA law and political science students with background on his role in shaping Virginia laws and policies as an elected member of the General Assembly. The General Assembly has a large hand in shaping healthcare laws in Virginia.

Vannorsdall, an author and retired school teacher, served on the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors from 2017 to 2021. She represented the Clifton Forge East District, which includes the eastern portion of the town and neighboring areas of Alleghany County.

Vannorsdall originally planned to become a lawyer, but her career path changed after she fell in love with Literature while in college. She eventually majored in English with a minor in political science.

She now writes for a Roanoke-based magazine. Her stories center on the successful revitalization of small communities in the Appalachian Region. Her passion for politics and community development led her to run for local office in 2016.

Vannorsdall urged AHA law and political science students to “have a good ear, a good heart, and a good tongue.”

“There are a lot of routes you can take, depending on your passion and your career path,” she told the students.

She has helped author six “What’s Your Story” books that center on personal stories about history and life in the Highlands. Her next book will focus on the stories of veterans in the Highlands. She may include students in the writing project.

AHA: Law and Political Science students have attended a documentary film showing at Radford University and visited local government offices in the Highlands. In the coming months, they will hear from attorneys with backgrounds in several areas of law. 

"Being a participant in the AHA Law and Political Science program at Alleghany High School has greatly enhanced my understanding and awareness of the numerous opportunities available in these fields. Throughout my involvement in this program, I have drawn inspiration from various influential figures who have made significant contributions to law and political science. The curriculum has provided me with a balanced education on healthcare, law, and political science, effectively preparing both myself and my peers to embrace diverse perspectives,” said Peyton Broughman, a junior at AHS.

“Currently, I am engaged in a club known as [Youth and Government], which focuses exclusively on political science. The AHA Law and Political Science program has proved beneficial in numerous ways, including my participation in [Model General Assembly]. Students in this program have had the privilege of interacting with guest speakers, such as Senator Chris Head from Roanoke, who articulated his responsibilities within his chosen career. In summary, this program offers a wealth of opportunities and valuable insights into potential career paths for students,” she said.

The program is non-partisan. Students discuss political issues, but the focus remains on leadership and civics.  

Neither AHA program is a “class” for which students sign up. The AHA programs also are not operated as clubs. Students participate in selected activities that interest them and help deepen their career plans.  Many students complete work-based learning experiences through the programs.

The AHA programs are the first in the Commonwealth – a true invention of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools to help meet student learning needs and community development goals.  

“The concept of AHA is a game changer for our students, allowing them to explore career pathways through educational field trips, hands-on/interactive learning, and mentorships with professionals in the healthcare and political science fields,” said Ginni Phillips, AHA coordinator for AHPS.

“We are thrilled with the success of the AHA programs – even though it is a bit difficult to explain what they are,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS, with a smile. “The AHAs are a great complement to the existing coursework and clubs offered in AHPS.”  

A key goal of the AHA programs is to help students explore available career options in a field of interest. AHA also strives to help students understand what will be required to meet their personal goals in a career field. 

“It’s important for students to understand the ‘how’ of career paths in these fields that often require advanced or specialized training,” said Halterman and Snead-Johnson.

AHPS’ AHA programs resulted from cooperative efforts in the Alleghany Highlands. AHPS has helped the community pool its resources and offer students more educational opportunities at an efficient cost.  

With approximately 2,700 students, AHPS was created when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center merged in July 2022. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.