Graduated seniors Joey Isaacs and Angelina Zeidan of Lord Botetourt and Ben Bailey and Ella Wright of James River are this year’s nominees for the annual B’nai B’rith Awards.
The award, for athletic achievement, school work and community service, was founded in 1951 by the Israel Friedlander Lodge of Roanoke. Senior nominees are judged by three categories, 50 percent by athletic achievement, 30 percent by scholarship and 20 percent by personal life. Every school in the Roanoke Valley and New River area nominates one male and one female each year for the award, and the two winners are announced at a banquet honoring all nominees. That was held Monday of this week at the Hotel Roanoke and overall winners were James Beasley of Patrick Henry and Carly Wilkes of Glenvar.
Isaacs was the Blue Ridge District Defensive Player of the Year in football for Lord Botetourt as well as being an all-state kick returner and sprinter on the track team. He volunteers for the Roanoke Rescue Mission and Calvary Memorial Church.
Zeidan was a 12-time state finalist and MVP for the Cavalier swim team. She had many community service interests, including as a volunteer for the Roanoke Greek Festival.
Bailey was a mulit-sport standout for River, competing in football, basketball, baseball and track in the past school year. He was an all-region wide receiver in football and an all-state placer in the jumping events in track. Ben also played on the golf team for two years. He volunteered at Mill Creek Baptist Church and several other places.
Wright was second team all-region in soccer and also an outstanding sprinter for the Knights’ indoor and outdoor track teams. A member of the Transfiguration Parish Council, she also had many areas of community service volunteering.